The Mighty Bridge once more fell to defeat in 2009 as our indifferent form continues in the Spring Cup. After drawing with Gotham early in the season 2-2 we were hopeful of coming out the winners in what would be an evenly contested match. A fierce wind was blowing across the pitch as the game began, and it took a while for both sides to control the ball comfortably as the conditions threatened to take over the match. The Bridge side had several changes from last week, Baz and Stu were in the subs list, Luigi and Si came back into the starting line up, and Ian C returned to the fold alongside Broony on a 4-man subs list.
Luigi was 1st to test their keeper with an effort from a Keith corner that was well saved, then both Keith and Ian shot wide as the early exchanges seemed to be edging towards the Bridge. After clearing numerous corners from us, Gotham broke away and won their 1st corner of the game. Despite the calls prior to the game for us to mark their Capt at set pieces he was given the freedom of the 6yard box to plant a downwards header into the net for the opening goal. Ian nearly got us right back in the game with an extrordinary shot from all of 30 yards that dipped and swerved before crashing off the bar and bounced back up off the line to safety, it was a sure contender for goal of the season had it gone in, but as our luck goes it was not to be.
Halftime 0-1
No changes at halftime, but we wanted to get the ball in behind their defence to allow Keith to sprint past them. We created a chance just after the restart and the signs were good that we could get back into the game, then we lost a very debatable 2nd. They were awarded a soft free kick and after it was initialy cleared it was played back in to the striker who was in an offside position, he steadied himself before knocking it past Strevs and despite our protests to the youthful Ref, he ignored all plea's. This signalled the 1st change with Baz coming on for Si and Lee moved back into the back 4. We kept pushing forward and won several more corners but the wind meant it was very difficult to get a decent ball into the box, then we lost the killer 3rd with an hour gone. A nothing through ball split the back 4 of the Bridge, but the Striker was standing all of 10 yards offside yet was allowed to run onto the ball with the freedom of the half to move into the box and slot it away for 3-0. Our protests again fell on deaf ears even tho their team had stopped playing also, expecting the whistle which never came.
Lee took a heavy head knock soon after so another shuffle saw Ian C come on in the right side of midfield, Marky moved to the centre, and Baz went into the defence. We were trying gainfully to make chances, and only 2 good stops by their keeper prevented the 1st Bridge goal. Bo and Ian C were getting plenty of the ball and only a crude challenge on the box stopped Ian making progress into the area. Bo took the kick but his low drive was off target and hoofed away by the Gotham defenders. With the game into it's final 15mins,
Ian F and Luigi came off with Broony and Stu moving into the wide area's to allow Ian C to partner Keith up top. It was all Bridge pressure in the last 10 mins and another good cross into the box was met by Keith but again the keeper foiled the prolific striker with a good tip over. The pair then went at it again when Keith raced past 2 before striking at goal, the keeper stood up well to beat it away tho. With no real danger to speak of, Bri and TC then got into a mess rather than clearing it up field and their Striker made no mistake with his 3rd of the game as the pair made a hash of getting the ball away for a poor looking 4-0 scoreline. With less than 2 mins left the Bridge got a consolation goal, Keith did the ground work on the right and when his cross cum shot from an acute angle beat the keeper Ian C was on hand to side foot it into the net at the far post from all of 2 yards for his 2nd goal in as many games for the Bridge.
Final score 1-4
Managers Comment
Again today it was a case of what if, what it Ian's rocket had gone in, what if their Keeper hadn't played out of his socks, what if the Ref knew what offside was, but in the end they took their chances and made the most of the decisions that came their way. In the opening period it looked like we'd get the breakthrough as the corners mounted up, but we just didn't get the breaks in front of goal. Ian's effort was a peach and deserved to go in, but again it stayed out. Sooner or later we are going to tank the opposition, but we have to concentrate on the easy things such as short passes and putting pressure on the ball carrier further up the park. I asked at H/T for more through balls to be played in behind the defense but not one was attempted in the 2nd half. We're also still a bit shot-shy and need to have more shots from outside the area, especially on bumpy pitches.
Best in the Tangerine: Andy played things nice and easy at the back and is settling in well, Bri was strong in the tackle, and Bo was always looking for space to run into with the ball. MAN OF THE MATCH however goes to Keith for his endless running and forcing saves from their keeper on 3 occasions in the 2nd half.
M.O.T.M - KEITH ALEXANDER
A.Strevens 7
A.Stuart 7
B.Vietch 8
T.Chan 6
S.Walton 6 (B.Fearn 7)
M.Smith 7 (S.Mcrindle 6)
L.Davidson 7 (I.Cossar (1g) 7)
J.Riddoch 8
L.Pia 6 (S.Brown 6)
I.Fleming 7
K.Alexander 8(m.o.t.m)
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