A few weeks since our last match and it showed in parts today.

The boys did start strong, doing their best to dictate the ball and take the game to Willingdon.
Willingdon finished 3rd in this division last season and you could see they were very comfortable and well drilled. Results just haven't gone their way this season.

Our boys were playing some brilliant passing football, creating chances down each wing with Stephen and Dorian dancing past their fullbacks but it was the final ball that was lacking in the forward line.

Our defence was playing lights out football, not letting Willingdon get a sniff in the first half we were just struggling with that sharpness in the front line and this was one of the things that cost us taking the lead in the first half.

HT TD - 0 - Willingdon - 0

At the half we moved Dorian up top to join Kieron and this is where we caused the issues and ultimately, this was the reason behind the goal.

Starting strong in the second half again, however this time inviting a bit more pressure on to stretch the game and create spaces in behind.

Our goal came from a well timed challenge at the back from Cam, who knocked it into Ethan. Ethan turned up the pitch and played a great ball into the run of Dorian. D drove at the defence, with the players back peddling towards the goal, Kieron made a great run and D slipped the ball through for Kieron to take a touch inside his man and hit a great finish into the bottom right corner . 1-0

From here, the game was very stop start in places with quite a few injuries on both sides. We wish the Willingdon Players the best and hope the injury isn't too serious.

We had to make a few changes ourselves with Stan getting a bad knock, Stephen catching a late challenge and trying to give everyone some game time.

In an frustrating pattern, after we go a goal up we seem to drop back 15 yards and try and defend deeper and give away the ball instead of keeping a hold of it and controlling the play.

Willingdon's equaliser came from this and with less than 10 to play as well. Their number 11 who was causing problems with his dribbling, picked the ball up outside the area, worked himself some space and whipped a shot into the top corner. 1-1

With 5 mins left both teams were pushing for the winner, and a great run including rounding the keeper before a defender knicked the ball out of play was given by the lino as a goal kick! From here a long ball upfield dropped to the Willingdon midfielder who hit a rocket into the top corner. 1-2

We managed to get one more shot off before the final whistle but this dropped right into the keepers hands.

FT - TD - 1 - Willingdon - 2

A tough one to take so late in the game. A good opposition and we looked off the pace in the last 15 mins which ultimately cost us the game in the end. Time to turn the focus to next week.

MOTM- Joint MOTM today- Kieron F & Cam S - Fantastic game from both, Kieron with a great goal and running himself ragged the whole time he was on the pitch and Cam with another solid performance at the back in 2 positions.