50s Away To Bay City - Match Report

As we started this game, we were a single point above our opponents with us both having played 5 games. We knew, therefore, this was going to be a very competitive encounter and that we needed to be on top of our game from the very off.

We had agreed that we need to concentrate on keeping our shape whilst marking and tracking our opposition. Baypoint, being a caged pitch without side lines, always creates an energy sapping environment because the ball rarely goes dead and there is hardly any respite for the players. We wanted to make the pitch wide but the ability to use the sides is almost like having an extra player.

We started solidly enough and enjoyed early possession. Gareth was controlling the centre of the park and Jason up front, with Lee and Linden out wide making themselves available to receive the lay offs. Gareth, Jason and Linden all got early shots away whilst Paul J and Phil were defensively strong and kept Bay City at range and limiting them to long range speculative shots which either went wide or easily handled by Paul B.

Unfortunately, we were forced into an early substitution when Lee was forced off through injury but Andy B came on as a like for like replacement. We thought we had drawn first blood when Linden was first to a ball that bounce of the back board and he was clinical with his strike for it to be ruled out for him having been deemed as inside the keeper's area.

Our pressure did eventually pay off. A swift passing move saw the ball worked down our left and given to Jason who played a ball square to Gareth. His swift turn beat his marker and his low shot beat their keeper to his right and found the corner of the net.

With half time approaching, Bay City started to push and began to press high. With us looking quite comfortable at the back we were absorbing the pressure. Unfortunately, we then did give the ball away cheaply at the back and were punished. Bay City pressed and robbed the ball with the striker sending a low strike passed Paul B to his left.

There was only just enough time to restart the game before the half time whistle sounded and we went in for the break level at 1 - 1. Our discussions centred around us doing nothing differently. We were creating chances, solid at the back and our movement and communication was virtually faultless. We felt we had been the better side in the first half and knew we would get chances in the second half.

The second period started as the first had. We remained solid in all areas and enjoyed good early possession. We moved the ball quickly and accurately and we created chances. Gareth, Jason and Andy all came close and their keeper was being kept busy. They chose to try and hit us on the counter attack but we continued to track our players and keep them away from our goal. Paul J and Phil again put in several big blocks and we were regularly picking off their stray passes.

Jason and Andy were both finding more and more space and their interaction was giving us the opportunity of half chances but we couldn't convert. Bay City bought on fresh legs and clearly wanted to get more than a draw from the game. We still looked very comfortable at the back whilst threatening whenever we moved forward. The ball was again worked down our left and a quick pass from Gareth found Jason who rolled his marker and shot low to the keeper's right with the ball rifling into the corner of the net.

As we managed the game to what we hoped would be a successful conclusion, we fell foul of indiscipline. There was too much non walking by both teams but we were the ones that were deemed to have given away the fourth offence and the resulting penalty. The spot kick, however, was sent high and flew well over the bar.

Having been given the reprieve, we looked at holding the ball and not giving Bay City a sniff. We continued to man mark and follow them all over the park. When we had the ball we held it. We did still create more chances but we weren't over committing and leaving ourselves exposed at the back.

As the whistle sounded we had the victory we deserved and had worked hard to achieve. Final score Bay City Strollers 1 - 2 Canterbury Mariners.

Today was another very hard game against a strong and dangerous opponent on a pitch that gives very little respite and we rose to the occasion as individuals and as a team. We gave absolutely everything in the 40 minutes and there was nothing left at the end for anyone.

My thanks to Andy C who volunteered to come over but was an used substitute.

My special thanks to the spectators that turned up to encourage and support us.

Congratulations to Gareth who was the Player Of The Match for his drive and game management in the centre of midfield.

Paul