Home vs Fleetdown 26Nov23

Match report by Ciaran Larkin

Off the back of a great victory against Hayden the previous week, we hosted Fleetdown who we had already beaten this season earlier, but regardless of that, we knew they were still a good side, and one who looked like they could be challenging us for the league this season. So we couldn’t take it easy by no means and had to be at the same levels we were last week.
The game started in probably the worst way for us as a misplaced pass in the opening minute found one of their players who shot from about 25 yards out and it found the top corner to put Fleetdown 1-0 up. We needed to relax and get ourselves back into the game but it got worse as they pulled it across to their right winger to smash it near post for 2-0 inside the first 15 minutes. We started to grow into the game a bit more but found it difficult to generate some of our chances. We did then get a goal back as Harley’s cross was misread by the keeper who cleared it into the air and into his own net to half their advantage. We went into halftime 2-1 down, knowing that we could play better than what we were showing; so we knew we had to be much better to get something out of this game.
The second half started and it wasn’t as quick as the first half as both of us were getting some chances but nothing really promising. We were still in the game and could get something out of this. But with about 20 minutes to go, a ball over our defence found their striker who ran through and restored their 2 goal lead. However the game wasn’t over yet and with about 8 minutes to go Jude was found on the edge of the box to curl it into the bottom left corner to make it 3-2. We could still have something from this game, but that was quickly dashed as a free kick from the halfway line found their striker to poke in from about 4 yards out for 4-2 with only 3 minutes to go. As we were pushing for a way back into the game, their winger went down the line and drew a penalty which they converted for 5-2 with about 10 seconds left. With the full time whistle we came away very disappointed in ourselves and knew we definitely could’ve been better. But we have to improve next week as we face Elmstead in the cup.
Well played Romeo who kept us in the game with a number of superb saves and deservedly won MoM.