Match Report - 1st X1 v Kew Assn

It was always gonna be tough to match last weeks performance in all departments. But we knew if we could get close to it, we would give Kew more than enough problems to take the 3 points. The pre match huddle was focussed on talk of controlling the one controllable on any given saturday, our work rate. If we work hard on and off the ball and leave everything on the pitch, more often than not, the results will take care of themselves.

We started brightly, causing Kew problems from the off. Seany D causing the two CB’s all sorts of problems with his fat arse. Our wing backs exploiting the big gaps in between the centre halves and the full backs. Showing that we can play in more than one way. It's not all Tika Taka. Unsurprisingly the opening goal came from exploiting those gaps. Phillips with an angled run, Jacko feeling buoyed by his earlier Gazza Esque’ like run, clipped a ball over the top. The keep was out sharpish and made a fine save. Maybe it's the least that Phillips deserved after enduring chop after chop but the ref awards the penalty. With the quickest turn of pace he showed all game, suddenly the ball was in Jacko’s hands. We Know the drill. Bosh.

Going a goal down woke Kew up. If it wasn’t for some last ditch defending from Wattsy and Matt we would have found ourselves tied a lot earlier than we did. Eventually Kew got the deserved equaliser, Matt at RWB found himself overloaded, a quick shimmy from the winger and he earnt the space he needed to whip one into the bottom corner with Perry scrambling for position. A soft goal to concede but a deserved equaliser.

For the rest of the half we struggled to dominate the game, but despite us not really controlling the game we still looked dangerous. Elsey missing a good chance with a header. Simon and David flashing a couple of shots wide. Jacko should have buried a lovely drilled corner from David, but his shoulder was not as lucky as Koscielney.

We were clearly flustered at half time, the magnitude of every game now is not lost on any of us. This is where top gaffers earnt there p. Jamo with some stern but calm words at half time telling us where to improve. Be patient. Don't force it. Trust the goals will come. Despite a tricky opening 5 minutes where Kew were pressing high and looking sharp, we eventually started wrestling control of the game. With us now enjoying more possession we found Bradders in space on the left wing. Only a man of exquisite vision or a woeful ability to cross a ball could have scored our 2nd. But for the second time this year from wide left. Bradley had a poor keeper bamboozled.

With 20 minutes left. The OS boys were caught between 2 minds. Continue pressing for a 3rd or do we shut up shop? Continue to knock it around the back or launch it forward. This confusion and lack of a game plan had us a little rocked. And a long ball over the top. A sliding Perry wiping out there CF for a stone waller. Goal Kick. Finally feels like we have had a little rub of the green.

Knowing that we needed that 3rd now, we pressed on. Some good work down the right found david in the box on the right hand side, moving away from goal. A tidy low finish to the far right corner and the 3 points were sealed. Cue scenes on the touch lines.

We won't find our best stuff every week. But with 6 cup finals to go. We have to find away to win. Overall we had a bit more quality and deserved the W. Shout out to the travelling faithful. And good luck to Kew against South Bank.

Back at the fortress next week. COYS!

MOTM: Steve Watts