Reserve Divisions Cup

A match we could have won. It is becoming frustrating to constantly be talking about potential for this team but it is undoubtedly there. In fits and spurts we played some excellent football and when we took the lead it was not only deserved but should have acted as a catalyst for more. We opened up well, looking tight at the back and dangerous going forward. With chances few and far between at both ends, a dangerous run by the Fleet left winger was smothered well by Tom Derry in goal and a couple of minutes later we struck. An excellent move from left back involving some sweet passing and movement from Tom Perkins, Harrison Derry and Brian Allen saw Luke Jenner put in to slot home. So far so good. Unlike previous weeks, we  continued to look tight after scoring, our harrying of the opposition leaving them little time on the ball to play what can be an impressive one touch game and all the signs looked good. And then the Coney disease struck, our concentration faltered for a few seconds and we were punished. Caught out of position on the left, the defence were put under pressure, but failed to respond and an excellent finish from the edge of the box saw Fleet equalise. We came close on a couple of occasions but failed to force a goal to go in level at half-time.

HT: 1-1

What we should have done was continue to play as we had up until that point. Although not the biggest of teams we have the players in the side to play some very good football and through that tire the opposition out. But with a good platform to build on, we came out asleep. The first 30 minutes we never came out of first gear, too many players were unnecessarily trying to take players on, and rather than the short quick passing game we established in the first half we started trying to play it long with increasing regularity. Although not helped by a couple of enforced substitutions through injury to Harrison and Luke Jenner, we stopped pressurising the opposition on the ball and as a result they were able to play there way around us with far too much ease. The only surprise was how long it took Fleet to score, with Tom in goal delaying the inevitable with a couple of saves out of the top drawer. However, a corner was came over and a man was left free (admittedly showing some excellent movement) and the second Fleet goal was headed in. This did seem to galvanise us, and we found ourselves pushing for the equaliser with Nick Taylor going close on a couple of occasions but in the end our slow start to the second half cost us again.

Fleet Leisure Reserves 2 Coney Hall Reserves 1

Team: Tom Derry, Dan Hinton, Tom Perkins, Jason Coates(C), Billy Perry, Dean Edmett, Josh Hamit, Luke Jenner (Greg Mafutala), Nick Taylor, Brian Allen, Harrison Derry (Jay Mann)   Goalscorer: Luke Jenner

Man of the Match: Tom Derry - excellent marshalling of the defence and some superb saves that kept us in the match at 1-1