The first game of the new year and Town faced tough opposition in Moreton Rangers. After a superb calendar year 2017, it was 2nd against 3rd.
Town were up for this fixture and started the game well, putting passes together early and getting a good feel for it. 10 minutes in and a great tackle from Will Bazen resulted in a corner to Moreton. The Moreton side was a lot bigger than Towns so set pieces they were always going to be a threat. The corner was swung in and the captain of Moreton headed home. Town 1-0 down.
We were disappointed with this but got back on the ball and continued to try and play our football. Town were definitely better on the ball and played some great football at times, we battled hard with the opposition pretty much cancelling each other out. Moreton were always a threat though and we had to concentrate and be on our toes. A good shot from the Moreton forward saw Towns keeper Justin Yates make a great save, resulting in a corner which again was the only real threat we came up against.
At halftime Town re-evaluated and decided to change formation and personnel, we spoke about desire and told the lads they had another couple of gears.
We went out second half and took the game to Moreton. We were winning a lot more first and second balls further up the pitch and played some great football at times. A good passing move between Adam Sly, Christian Wills and captain Matthew Pill got Pilly in on goal, he looked for a square ball but was on his own, he tried to clip the ball over and around the onrushing keeper which he did but only to see a defender get back just in time to clear off off the line! At this moment in the game Town were fully on top and deserved the equaliser.
Town continued to look for the goal and obviously taking a few risks but didn’t really find themselves under a great threat as were the better side. Some good pressing and closing down from our front men created our next chance, Adam Sly again pinched the ball off the Moreton centre back out wide and clipped in a great ball towards the advancing Christian Wills, he set himself and hit a thunderous volley at goal that somehow the keeper managed to save and clear off the line. Unbelievable save and Town were so close to getting that equaliser.
We then gambled for the last 5 minutes throwing players forward but as is mostly the case we were caught on the break and the Moreton forward who we had kept quiet all game found himself in on goal and drilled the ball past Justin Yates, Moreton a second on the stroke of full time. Moreton 2-0 up and the ref blew his whistle.
Overall disappointed we lost the game as we were so close to taking something. But at the same time proud. The supporters and even the opposition management said how we at least deserved a draw. A superb effort from the lads particularly in the second half, how Moreton managed to clear the two efforts off the line I don’t know!
It goes to show how far we have come this season to be able to compete with the top side in the league over the last two seasons. We were beaten 10-0 by the same side last year so massive progression. We know we are not far away at all and played some great football, creating some really good chances. The lads deserve massive credit and I’m hoping they realise how good they are and how good we can be if we keep showing this sort of desire and performance.
Man of the match: Matthew Pill. A true captains performance and led the team by example for the whole 90 minutes.
Next fixture: Home v Bishops Cleeve Dev – 13/1/18
