Old Windsor lose 2-0 to Frontline

After two good wins in the cup competitions after the Christmas break Old Windsor returned to league action. Over the next 5 weeks we have some big games that will test where we are in terms of challenging at the top of the league. Our opponents this week have not had the best of seasons before today’s game sitting bottom without a win.
Much of the talk before the game was not underestimating the opposition despite not recording a league win, we have had two closely contested matches that saw us come out on top on both occasions. A few changes to last weeks squad Cheesy covered in goal for the absent Harry, Lex in for Scouse, Moley in for Luke and Ben for the injured Brad.
Despite the changes we still had a strong squad in place for the game showing the amount of depth we have within the squad. The condition of the pitch would prove difficult for both sides as it didn’t allow for the either team to play good football, as a result we would need to show our battling qualities and ensure we took the chances that came our way.
Old Windsor started the brighter of the two teams helped by the wind in our favour we looked to get forward and secure an early goal that has given us the platform to achieve positive results in the previous two weeks. A long ball forward from defence was expertly kept in play by the returning Ben who in turn won a throw in against the defender. Rory took the resulting long throw that caused panic in the frontline defence the ball fell kindly to Walt’s whose shot was blocked bravely by the defender.
In the 5th Minute Sean won a freekick outside of the Frontline area, the resulting ball in from Walt’s was headed wide by Joe when well placed but one of many debateable offside flags. In the 7th minute Frontline took the lead Lex slid in to tackle the Frontline winger however the ball ricocheted of the attacker for what we believed to be a goal kick, but the referee had another view and gave the corner. The ball was whipped in looking to harmlessly go over the bar, but the conditions seemed to kill the ball and Cheesy had to tip the ball away unfortunately the attacker was free to tap in from a yard out 1 nil Frontline.
Just 3 mins later we had a great chance to equalise Ben crossed but neither Calvin or Sean could convert to restore parity.
Understandably we were aggrieved to see this go against us, but we felt if we carried on as we started we could get back on level terms. Sean was played in from a classy through ball from Joe but never got a clear connection and the ball bobbled past the post when well placed to equalise. On 19 mins the ball was played to Calvin who set the ball back to Moley who blazed over the bar.
30 mins in Walt’s free kick went past the post just a minute later Sean again had a chance to equalise but unfortunately couldn’t convert.
3 mins later a long throw by Rory was parried by the keeper the ball was worked back out to Rory who blasted his effort over the bar when well placed. Plenty of opportunities came and went but we lacked composure in front of goal to make the most of these. The half went on with us having most of the play and opportunities, but our progress was halted from some questionable offside calls that clearly frustrated us and possibly affected our ability to convert in front of goal.
Second half reflected the first but Frontline with the wind behind them did have more chances than the first half as we looked to push forward and equalise. They did go close hitting the post with a swift counter attack. More chances came and went Ben’s effort flew over the bar when again well placed, Sean had an effort wide when he looked well placed to score along with Walt’s effort deflected wide with a brave block. Numerous Corners, crosses and through balls were cut out, blocked and cleared from a dogged and determined Frontline wanting to hold on to their lead.
In the 80th minute we believe we had made our pressure tell and finally equalize through Calvin nodding in a flick on from close range. Initially the referee gave the goal but after consulting with the linesman ruled it out for offside. If this had been given, we would have gone on to win the game, but we had been robbed of this by another questionable decision by their linesman.
We tried to claw a goal back but as Frontline attacked and we regained possession, Joe fed the ball back to Cheesy and as he lined up his kick he missed the ball and it trickled into the net 2 nil Frontline. That is how the match finished, credit to Frontline they battled, scrapped and defended for their lives to hold onto the lead. Ultimately despite not being at our best in front of goal we did not meet the standards we have set in previous games, we just must accept it, learn and move on. The application, attitude and desire were there in abundance sometimes it is just not meant to be.
Up next are Champions Delaford at home in the league where we look to bounce back from this week’s disappointment.