Warner Inflict First Defeat Of The Season

Our unbeaten start to the season was set to be given its sternest test against the league leaders AFC Warner Colts. Alex McDonald was missing due to self isolation so Kaleb Sweeney started wide left in a slight tweak to the shape. A more compact 4-1-4-1 was deployed and the start was very good. We took the game to them in the early stages and created several big chances. Kaleb saw his header saved and Gift hit a superb left foot curler in the 9th minute that clipped the crossbar. Warner got the breakthrough though in the 12th minute with a near post header. We responded well and still looked dangerous with Paddy playing some clever balls over the top to the forwards who just lacked end product. The skipper very nearly equalised when his volley from the edge of the box was well blocked, it was certainly going goalwards and may have had enough power to trouble the keeper. A careless foul down the right flank by Ben Devlin resulted in Warner grabbing a second. The delivery into the box was excellent but we seemed to freeze and the header found its way past Joe who had no chance. Our number 1 kept us in the game though making several big saves at crucial stages and when Anthony Cooke’s superb ball found Zico he kept his cool to round the keeper and get us back into the game just 2 minutes before the break.

The second half was a very tight contest and despite former player Jamie Gormley curling a fantastic left footed effort into the top corner to give Warner back their 2 goal advantage credit must go to our lads who kept battling. Several changes were made and each of the subs done relatively well to keep the shape and intensity going forward. Sam O’Neill was winning every header and Jude Carroll began to influence the game in a more advanced position down the left. With just under 15 mins remaining Ruben’s shot was well saved but fell to Jude who looked as if he was a yard offside, he kept his cool to pass across to Kaleb who tapped in and the goal stood. We fought hard until the end but in the end time was against us. The league leaders held out to earn a big 3 points and put a dent into our own challenge at the top. It’s still very early days and with a second lockdown looming we must regroup and aim to come back with the same level of belief and fighting spirit that’s required as we continue to take steps towards our development as a team.