A glorious day and the day seemed to be enticing the best from the Whites

The mood was positive and a sense that this is the game we need to win. Of late the games have been close , all of our games have been 2 goals against no more no less. Whites had to step up and be counted.

The pitch was lumpy, bumpy and muddy the A's moved the ball from kick off with poor delivery initially , the back 4 struggled to weight the passes to each other and newly appointed paul at left back was getting bogged down in the mud. It took about 10 mins to establish a rhythm but soon the combo of Paul , Amos and Long were creating havoc. The transitions were working well and Pulteney had no real opportunity to do much. Amos started ripping up the opposition and creating a nuisance with some awesome breaks, but still no goals.

Then it all happened like the preseason, a great build up and Jon seized an opportunity to hit a long ball at goals, what had happened was a attack from the middle developed by Matt B and nice touch on by Long, the keeper seemed very gun hoe ! Coming out way off his line. Jon snapped it long and into the back of the net.

The first time for a long time to score a goal FIRST! Anyway the pressure was on and Whites needed to step up now and improve the score line. Everyone seem to step up with Amos and Matt B coming for diagonal runs which created some great opportunities. Paul gaining a pressured by ball out from defence , was encouraged by the coach to go and attack the space, in doing so he drew out the defence and put in a great ball to Long who chested, turned and smashed into the back of the net – welcome back LONG !

2 goals up – Whites were using the ball well and no long balls, passing was good and the attack combos were delivering good results. Another build up from a nice pass from Scott to Rob , to Long who passed to forward to Jon on the run and Jon struck it as accurate as an arrow. 3 Nil and looking very good.

There were some concerns at half time, gaps in the middle and players trying to push to hard by lofting the ball in the air without rhyme or reason. The knowledge that this team comes back and evens the score with every top team. Coach was concerned at the 2 goal gap needed to be kept at all costs.

Second half started well however within 10mins some spiteful tackles and frustration from Jon led to some stress which in turn defocused the team enough for a error at the back and Pulteney had struck a easy goal 3 -1 , now pressure mounted and Whites seem to loose that touch and reverted to long balls and panic passing resulting in another error where Pulteney quickly converted the goal boosting their confidence. Some changes needed and players focus on earning another goal. Scott moved forward creating some momentum and this allowed rob to push as a number 10. Chris was solid as was Joe. Conner's last game allowed him to play 3 positions and settling back to a left back to secure the higher pressure side.

Juan come on lifting the midfield and developed some nice passing which in turn created some nice chances, Richard, Jon and Paul all combined to have several chances. It was desperate and A;s knew it was a draw or win, pressure mounted and several free kicks erupted in favour of Whites, Conner taking a classic free kick and just curling over the left post and cross bar. Some short passes created several options but no goal. Jon was still emphasizing the need for opposition players to move away quickly , luckily the ref giving out a few yellows – while this was nice it did back fire with a send off for Pulteney one minute and then the same type of effect to Jon when he casually moved away – his first red card ever ! a lesson to be learned to all , the badger has a two sides.

The referee while experienced began an open policy of yellows and unusual decisions, as we were pressing hard, it did end up with our favour rather than Pulteney.

Anoop started slowly but began to impact with races down wing and cutting inside causing Pulteney defenders to wonder which way they turn or run, twice Anoop darted in and out twice no goal. Justin (return of the Jedi, been missing training in the Dagabar System) came out and would not be outdone , gave a excellent performance and demanded to be noticed for passing and creating more opportunity. In the end it was the unusual pass back from pressure from Justin and Rob, at the same time Anoop came running in and attempted to kill keeper and ball, to which most thought a free for the keeper or penalty - then confusion for everyone and then gave a indirect free kick 3 meters from the Pulteney goal line. ?

Yes it was close – who should step up but the notorious sledge hammer Anoop. His focus was intense, the first kick was a Chris ( crab) jump over and Anoop messing up to some degree, however Pulteney defenders and keeper all moved as predicted and referee was in such a mood he wasn't going to let them move without the ball moving so , the free kick was re taken. Pulteney coach and players were screaming at this stage and while the air was cooling down the bench was hot.

Again Anoop revved up and Crab shuffled over the ball, Anoop iron foot smashed the ball low (thank fully) and defenders legs were everywhere , the ball smashed into a foot and into the back of the net. Whites went wild and the score line back to 2 goals up 4 – 2 . Coach from Pulteney was sent off and players were loosing control , the referee in power mode now was ready to start red carding more and Pulteney were in disarray.

The game suddenly went into a high level of fire on grass for last 5 mins or so , both teams 10 men and both teams were not letting the game settle. Whites reverted in patches to possession yet still need to work on second half composure. At the end the whistle and A's got to sing the song and finally put some mojo back to the game we love. Football is strange sometimes, you play your best and loose, other times you can play two completely different halves and the outcomes become 50 / 50 .

A's have so much potential and untapped level , we need to move onto the next level 4 big games coming up, all points for the taking , lots of pride on the line and in all the Crown at the end the prize that can be won if everyone believes and wants it bad enough.

That's it - lets sing this song now every week so no one forgets how to sing it.

JamesTop