Match Report - BAY CITY STROLLERS 50+ - 12 Nov 2023

Today was not our best performance and, unfortunately, Bay City profited from it and deserved the victory.

We didn't get going at the start and allowed Bay City to get on the front foot and put us under a lot of pressure. We were forced to defend deep and struggled to get out of our own half or indeed keep hold of the ball. We didn't really threaten their goal and we gave possession away too cheaply. We eventually paid the price for this sloppy play and they scored from the edge of our box.

Half way through the first half, we turned up and we looked like a different team. We moved the ball well, found space and our speed of pass carved through them several times and we were unlucky when Gareth hit the post with a low strike from the left. Eventually our pressure paid dividends and a quick ball out of defence saw Brett's smart turn and shot put us level albeit via a deflection which took the ball over their keeper.

We now appeared to be on top and pushed hard to take the lead. Brett was giving their defence headaches and he was often double teamed which gave space for our midfield to support and have a strike on goal. Despite us hitting the post again, we went in at half time all square at one all.

Unfortunately, we started the second half as we started the first and invited them to pressure us. We struggled to get going and we were soon 2 - 1 down. Only now did we really started playing and we applied pressure on their goal. Twice more we hit the frame of the goal but we could not get the equaliser we were striving for. This left space for them to counter-attack and a speculative shot by them was partially blocked which unfortunately only deflected the ball passed Jon.

We changed formation and pushed Gareth further forward in order to get back into the game. We were now peppering their goal with the width of the woodwork saving them. Again, they were counter-attacking and they soon made it 4 - 1 when another shot from range was deflected off of one of our defenders and past Jon.

We did respond and our pressure saw us rewarded with a penalty which Ian duly despatched. We pushed to get more but it just didn't happen and the game finished 4 - 2 to Bay City.

As a collective, we all had a bad day today and we got punished. Everyone has the odd poor performance, unfortunately today, none of us had a really good game. That said, when we did decide to play we moved the ball well and created chances. We were unlucky with the amount of times we hit the post, had some of those gone in then maybe the outcome would have been different. What must be said, is that our discipline both in the contact and running was excellent today and I don't believe the ref warned any of our players.

After the euphoria of beating Woodnesborough last week, we came back to earth today. The team now will dust itself off and prepare for our next game.