Cougars get the Blues

This is not a reference to the lads attending a John Lee Hooker
concert, if only. More that this was a game that, on paper, we

should have won. But as a cleverer person than me once said the games
not played on paper.

First half we never really got going. We were quiet, there was no zip
in the play. No energy. The defence was holding well enough and
Freddie in midfield, again, caught the eye but going forward we were
not playing as a unit. Hitting hopeful balls to Luca up front to
chase. With the Blues defending in numbers this was not going to be a
tactic that worked. We needed to drag them out of position.

Louis was the best outlet for this and made a number of superb runs
from the left wing. As the game progressed his link-up play with
Harvey was excellent and saw him get into more dangerous positions
although we still failed to register a shot.

The opening goal came to the Blues. From the inside left position we
failed to clear our lines. With Will out of position trying to plug
the gap the ball was played across our area and buried. I think they
call that a sweaty goal. 1-0 down but with plenty of time.

The half played out and it was apparent who was more up for it and it wasn't the team in green. The lads were elsewhere. At half time with
the score at 1-0 they were flat. We fired them up as best we could and
sent the back out there. There was a reaction.

Sam, playing wide right started to get more involved and was driving
at the defence every opportunity he had. Sam would take a couple of
heavy challenges for his efforts that went unnoticed and unpunished.
Freddie supporting Sam from the inside midfield position showed quick
feet and good strength on more than one occasion. With Louis still
marauding up front every chance he got things were turning.

That said we still failed to register a shot and on the break the
Blues were always a threat.

There was then the first of two turning points. With a couple of fouls
not being given in our favour two of our players challenged the
referee and were booked for dissent. The details are irrelevant but
serve as a notice that we must respect the referees decision even if
we do not agree with it.

As the game progressed, and with no real options on the bench.
Actually there wasn't even a bench today, we went to 3 at the back,
pushing Harvey into midfield. This served to put the game more into
the Blues half and Jacob went close with a long range effort.

There was then the second and real turning point in the match. A Blues
breakaway saw them attack down the right. The ball was played inside
and finished past Will. A glance at the linesman who was flagging for
offside saw some sighs of relief that quickly evaporated when we
realised he was being over ruled by the referee.

2-0 down.

To their credit the Cougars then threw the kitchen sink at the Blues
and got one back through Luca, opening his account for the season. 2-1 and how the game would finish.

While we did not deserve to lose this game we did not deserve to win
it either, we barely raised a shot and gave their keeper very little
to do. A draw based on the match would have been a fair result.

We should not look for excuses and other parties to blame but realise
that we cost ourselves this match by not playing as we can and as we
have done in the past. We always look for positives and Louis was the
stand out performer today no question, full of drive and will to
attack. We needed all the lads to be up for it in the same way and to
perform as a team. Not to start get impatient with each other and
challenging the referee. That's not like us and is not something we
want to see again.

We lost this game through a failure to respect the opponent. When the
goal shower did not come frustration rose and to the Blues immense
credit they came at us and got their reward.

Let's put it right next week.