Superb Effort Undone

This was our second game against the team that will win the League in JB Rangers. They have an embarrassment of riches in their squad and have gone beyond Sunday football somewhat. We gave a hugely improved performance from the reverse fixture and were unfortunate to come away with nothing.

It was goalless at the break despite chances at both ends. JB had the possession, but we defended well. Bodies were being thrown in front of shots, with Ruggs shining in particular and Harri producing a brilliant block to make amends for an admittedly shoddy clearance that set up the chance.

We had clear sightings at goal at regular intervals with Paul going close a couple of times, Rich flicking wide from a corner (usual bug bear that if anyone had gambled at the back post a tap in was there to be had) , Ruggs worked the keeper, Luca's free kick somehow evaded everyone and Gilo fired straight at their stopper. Debutant keeper Craig (thanks for stepping in) made a good save and JB fired wide.

The second half was much more eventful. Paul was incredibly unlucky not to open the scoring on 53 minutes. Harri clipped a lovely diagonal ball to the left where Paul controlled expertly and rattled a shot into the near post with the keeper beaten.

Now let's talk about sin bins. They belong in the bin, but they are here and we are not dealing with them well enough. There have been 11 in Division 1 and we account for over a 3rd of them with 4 after this game (JB have had 0). We have had a couple that have been incredibly soft, but we now have to see the bar for these decisions as being seriously low and act accordingly. It's not good enough and today it was costly.

Ell was sin binned for arguing a debatable decision by the ref and during that time JB took the lead with a good header. We actually levelled before Ell was reintroduced as Luca's corner was headed back across goal by Grouty for Rory to face home his first WWFC goal. One sin bin down and we had escaped, but we had been put on the back foot for 10 minutes.

Then on 80 minutes with the legs tiring Luca was sin binned for punching the ball into the ground following what looked like a bad call to give a goal kick instead of a corner. Other referees may have let Luca off, but not this one.

Needless to say JB scored again and it was in similar fashion to the first. Good cross and header for 2-1.

Luca returned and we went for the equaliser we deserved on the balance of chances. On 92 minutes Grouty broke through, flicked the ball to substitute Kish and he fired home clinically to level the game. Their linesman put up a desperate offside flag, but thankfully the referee was in a good position to see it was nonsense and the goal stood.

Unfortunately there was one further twist as JB won a penalty straight away via a very tired challenge by Paul who had put in a great shift and had an otherwise excellent game.

They scored and the whistle went. It was a gutting way to end the game as we had worked extremely hard, but this is the sort of game Champions win and that is what they should and will be.

A performance we can take a lot of credit from and use to push on for the rest of the season. County Cup next week at home.

Dissent by word or action - we need to learn.

MoM: Ruggs - good in the air, won tackles, made big defensive blocks and was unlucky not to score. Top display. Mentions for Paul and Grouty who racked up another couple of assists in a hard working performance.

Thanks to Ski and Sean for running the line and to Zammo & Harwood for the support.