Home Campaign Finishes with a Defeat

As with last week we took on established Green Division opponents in Beaconsfield Holtspur Hawks in our final home game of the season.

As with last week we performed very well on the day but it was once again highlighted that we need to be more 'street wise' when it comes to Green Division football.

The early exchanges were pretty even as Beaconsfield showed their qualities with quick passing and quick, short set pieces etc.

Our approach was a little more direct as we looked to get in behind the visiting defence utilising the pace within our side.

With players missing we started the game with a new defensive line up of Kaelin Shaw, Nathan Bosworth and Harry Grantham and all three defended brilliantly. Our midfield consisted of Joshua Cotton on the right, Andrew Carr on the left and Joshua Harrison and Charlie Davis (playing further up the field this week). Elliot Behan started the game as the lone man up front and followed up last week's man of the match performance with another determined, committed and effective performance.

Our most notable chance of the first half saw Joshua Harrison shot just over the bar from a corner however Joshua Cotton, Charlie Davis and Andrew Carr all had half chances which the Beaconsfield defence dealt with well.

The only goal of the half came when Beaconsfield won the ball in the corner, crossed it over and our defenders were a millisecond too late in pressing which enabled the attacker to finish well.

We made two changes at half time with Jacob Oliver and Jack Rollins both joining the game and both players gave assured, confident performances which clearly evidenced their continuing improvement. Oliver Foster also gave an assured, confident performance in goal thanks to his ever improving handling and kicking.

During the second half we created ourselves some potential chances however we didn't seem able to get effective shots away as all shots comfortably made their way into the keeper's hands.

Beaconsfield secured their victory when they were awarded a penalty which was very well hammered home by their player.

We made three further substitutions with Nelson Nkanzei coming on on the right hand side of midfield and performing like he does in training by running at the opposition and getting them on the back foot. Ben Philbey came on in defence and look assured in making his tackles and moving the ball up the field whilst Hugo Pinto came on the for the last five minutes in the centre of midfield and got amongst the opposition as we looked to score a consolation goal.

It wasn't to be however and we had to accept that whilst we had put in another good performance the result wasn't going to go our way. Our man of the match was Harry Grantham who put in a great performance in an unfamiliar position and played the full game for the first time in a long time.

Next Sunday sees us play our final game of a really good season away at Prestwood Colts which we can go into under no pressure and hopefully enjoy.