Pelham Win Ruined Game!

Despite the best efforts of the referee to ruin a game between two sides who were in good spirits before the start of the game, Casuals and Pelham managed to get the win and keep themselves at the top of the table. The less said about how the game went the better, as it was a game which was constantly stop start when it didn't need to be, and a frustrating game ruined by a referee who tried to make it all about himself. Pelham were looking to put in a good performance after some disappointing ones over the last few weeks, but that focus soon went. Both teams had chances in the first half with Pelham coming close with Tim Shaw hitting the bar, and a couple of trips around the box when Pelham did get in behind were waved away. However Pelham were still trying to rush that first goal and just needed to settle down a bit. The half ended 0-0 at the break with both teams failing to find an opener. Pelham did slightly settle down in the second half and started to pass it about a bit more, but once again their final ball was lacking. The break through came via a better passage of play down the right hand side, with Dan Arran picking out Tim Shaw in the box, who chested down and volleyed home making it 1-0. Pelham added a second not too long after, with Tim Shaw getting in behind and squaring to Lee Cuddeford, who tried to get his shot off but a Saints defender just got his block in. Unfortunately for him his block landed at the feet of Steve Callan who made no mistake a stroked the ball home to make it 2-0. However Pelhams 2 goal lead was halved, a dubious freekick given was pinged into the box on,y for the Monk to get down well and save it. However as has been the story over the last few weeks, opposition men were not followed and the rebound was an easy tap in for the saints striker, 2-1 and game on. Pelham needed another goal quickly and they thankfully got it, Tim Shaw got in behind again and as he was in on goal about to shoot, was brought down in the box, with the referee thankfully giving the right decision and a penalty. Shaw stepped up and made no mistake making it 3-1. That is how it stayed and Pelham continue their unbeaten start to the league campaign. A game where we wanted a better performance but that ended up not being the focus, with the ref making it him. A game to forget and move on from. Only one goal conceded which is better than has been, but a carbon copy goal for them from the last few weeks for us, something that we have to get out of our game and be sharper at these set pieces. A tougher game next week against Birchwood Rangers most probably being our second biggest test after Foxton Old Boys!!