BAD DAY AT THE OFFICE AS BOTANIC RUN RIOT

<p>We suffered our first defeat of the season and where well and truly put to the sword as we couldn't cope with a Botanic side that really turned it on. Take nothing away from our opponents who took full control and bossed the game in every department but we just didnt turn up on the day. The most dissapointing aspect was the scoreline as we will now have to pick ourselves up ahead of the end of season run in. Although the defeat only leaves us 3 points behind the now sole front runners we are now relying on other teams to do us a favour which takes the situation out of our control in terms of challenging for the league. Our lads now face a real test and will hopefully show the character to bounce back and we can never play as badly as that again.

<p>After a cagey opening we conceeded a very poor goal from a corner after 7 minutues and then Botanic had us well and truly on the ropes landing killer blow after killer blow scoring 3 goals in just under 4 minutues. The 5th came just before half time. The referee awarded us a penalty just before the break when a Jamie Gormley shot struck the hands a Botanic defender but with our confidence already shattered Paddy stepped up only to see his effort saved.

<p>A change in personel and shape at half time saw us come out with a more direct approach and Mitchell managed to get one back rounding the keeper to finish cooly after Zach had done brilliantly down the right. Ross and Mitchell had their tails up and their pace looked like it could inflict further damage but we struggled to create any other real opportunities. Instead Botanic stepped up a gear yet again and 3 more well taken goals gave them the 8-1 victory. It could well have been worse as they also missed a penalty kick which flew wide off Woodsy's goal.

<p>Despite the dissapointment we must take the positives ahead of the remaining games to still be unbeaten up until this point and with a semi final still to come there's surely bound to be more happier days for us than the bitter taste this result will have left.