Nightmare Start To New Season

Up until today we had never lost on the opening day of the season, in just over 20 minutes Mersey Boys had raced into a three goal lead. Despite a fairly positive start the home side took the lead after 14 minutes when Connor failed to stop a terrific cross being whipped in from the left which was buried into the net with a fine headed finish. Mersey Boys doubled their lead scoring another header from a corner in the 18th minute and a long range strike left Harry helpless to put them 3-0 up. Although it left us stunned we began to create chances but wasteful chances cost us. Last seasons top scorer Gift played a great through ball to Ethan just before half time and our number 19 restored some faith with a good finish to send us into the break 3-1 down.

A change of shape in the second half seemed to work and it gave us a bit more control particularly in midfield, Jamie and Paddy gave us a more solid platform and our skipper began to pull the strings in the centre of the park with some clinical through balls to the front men. Yet again though it was poor finishing that was to be our downfall as Gift, Ethan and debutant Daniel missed several very good chances. It was one of those games were everything that could go wrong did, last seasons player of the year Kalu had to be withdrawn due to a muscle problem and our new centre back and his partner Sam broke down with a troublesome back problem which has been nagging away for the last few weeks. It was a cruel blow and meant we had to shuffle the pack to see the game out. We pushed forward and several more very good chances were squandered, you just knew it wasn't to be our day. Two late goals on the counter attack put the game well out of our reach before Gift opened his account for the season with a stunning solo effort think John Barnes in The Maracana vs Brazil. An injury time penalty was awarded after the ball was struck at Jay's hand which was harsh but we got exactly what we deserved and there can be no complaints. We must take stock and look to put this right as expectations were high coming into this all's we got was a reality check on what looks like being a very tough season for us. It dosen't get any easier as last season's unbeaten Champions Predator lie in wait.