CROWS NEVER SAY DIE ATTITUDE EARNS A POINT IN THE END.

The number of games recently in quick succession is taking its toll on the squa.

Promotion nerves are affecting the top teams.
In Lordswood's last game they drew 1-1 at home to leaders Sevenoaks Town after being 1-0 down, in this game they went 1-0 up but conceded late on, Vickers finishing off one of the best moves of the game in the 85th minute.
Despite our emphatic win away against them earlier in the season, it's clear that they have improved over time and are no pushover for any team they face. In this match they were well organised and worked hard throughout the game to protect their lead in the second half but perhaps, that was their mistake in the end and it may have been better for them to show more ambition in the second 45 minutes.
As per the norm at this time of the season the weather tends to get warmer and the pitches become hard, bumpy and lacking grass in certain areas therefore, making passing and controlling the ball difficult for both teams. Add the fact that due to the wet weather the country saw in late February and throughout March, teams are now having to play catch-up with their fixtures and having to play four games in eight days, five in eleven, six in fifteen, seven in seventeen, eight in nineteen and nine in twenty-one, when it comes to the Crows anyway.
Apart from the number of fixtures and the condition of the pitches the games are played on, a few other factors contribute to performances and quality of the matches dipping below those seen earlier in the campaign. Suspensions are one, injuries are another, promotion nerves and the necessity to rotate the squad to cover all circumstances that arise play apart too.
This match was not a classic by any means and in some ways it had an end of season feel to it, the Crows knew that had to do all they could to get the three points but sometimes the body and mind tell you as a player something different. Lordswood only really had pride to play for and looking at their results they seem to raise their game when they play a team near the top of the table.
The Crows started well and clearly wanted to get an early goal, something that would more than likely give them an energy boost but despite one or two good chances, notably from Muggeridge and Stone, the play degenerated somewhat and became a midfield battle and with the ball spending too much time in the air.
The away side didn't have their first effort at goal until the 29th minute, Blake firing wide from distance and apart from those early chances the only incidents of note were the bookings, Boddy for a tackle, Cook for tugging Stone back and Muggeridge, who looked like he may have been fouled inside the area, receiving a card for simulation.
The Lords perhaps should have taken the lead in the 40th minute, Kane through on goal but his shot from point blank range was excellently saved by Burbridge in the Crows goal and the ball was eventually cleared. However, they did take the lead in the 44th minute, the Crows failed to clear a cross to the back post and the ball was put across to Wells in the six yard box for a tap-in for 1-0 to the visitors.
At the break the Crows made a substitution, Carrington going off and Crabb coming on in his place. The Crows started the second period like they did the first, on the front foot but this time, they sustained the pressure for a lot longer. Both Phipp and Barton had a chance at the back post in the 47th minute from a cross but the ball was headed wide.
The away side had decided, it seemed to me anyway, to sit deep and hold on to what they had and hitting on the break if they could, something that happened in the 54th minute, Burbridge saving the effort from Carter easily.
Another couple of quick bookings happened in the 57th and 62nd minute, Cole of the Crows for an attempted trip and Huggins for the Lords for a foul on Phipp, who surely must be the most fouled Crow player during the season, he does take some stick in games.
Perry replaced Taiwo in the 65th minute and his first touch should have seen the ball rippling the back of the net but unfortunately he misshit his shot inside the six-yard box and the ball was eventually cleared.
As time was running down, the Crows made their last substitution, Loft coming on for Stone in then78th minute whilst the Lords replaced Carter with Wooldridge in the 84th minute. However, it became 1-1 in the 85th minute, Vickers slotting the ball home from ten yards out after a ball from Crabb found him inside the area.
The visitors were more keen than ever now to hold on to a point, taking Mahon off and bringing Webb on in the 89th minute. Eventually the final whistle blew after 90+3 minutes and a point a piece it was, a better result for the visitors than the home side when taken in to context.
With the league leaders losing rather surprisingly 5-2 at home to Sheppey United and Whitstable Town needing an added-on time equaliser for the second game on the trot at home, this time against Beckenham Town, many Crows may see this result as two points dropped but it does show the pressure and the nerves the top three sides are currently playing under, game after game.
The Crows now go to Bearsted on Tuesday before facing Sheppey United at home on the Thursday. Let's hope the players can get those aching limbs working once again the way we know they can play as only two wins will do if we are to remain in the promotion race and to put pressure on the top two.