DAN McDONALD reports splendidly on Brinklow FC's defeat to CHRIST THE KING...

Grumpy? Nah, he's just seen the league table...

"Intro:

Having won two successive games and, more importantly, produced two strong team performances, we arrived yesterday with our confidence (arguably) at its highest, since the season started. However, we knew we were in for a tough game against Christ The King - a well-established team.

First-half:

From the first whistle, it was clear that Christ The King were a very physical team and, at every opportunity, were looking for the ball over the top of our defence, for their nippy striker to latch onto.

We weren’t at the races for the first 45 mins; our opposition had too much time on the ball, we were losing the physical battles, surrendering possession too easily and, if it hadn’t for our keeper Liam, the game would have been lost at half-time – as it happened we went in 2-0 down.

The first goal was a free header, from a corner kick, and, if I’m honest, we’ve been fortunate, over the last few games, not to have conceded more from corner-kicks. It’s definitely an area we need to focus on, when we’re back on the training ground.

The second goal came as a result of two faults – not picking up a second ball and leaving ourselves one on one at the back. It was a great finish by the striker but we could’ve done so much more to prevent the goal.

Fair to say we received a lot of honest (but constructive!!) criticism from the management team at half-time.

Second-half:

The second-half was a completely different game of football; one that, for most parts, we dominated and led to us getting ourselves back into the game. A free-kick, taken by Scot Lindley, was finished by Macca Richards, making it 2-1. Then, after chances at either end, a delicious cross from the left wing was converted by Blake, levelling the game at 2-2.

Now, with 10 minutes to play, it felt like there was only going to be one winner (us!), however, this turned out not to be the case. We were caught by a simple goal kick, over the top of our defence, which was finished by their nippy striker. Such a frustrating way to concede, especially given that the 'keeper received the ball from our free-kick (and was unchallenged).

Then, if that wasn’t bad enough, we were caught over the top again, when pressing to try and level the game, which ended up with a simple finish from the other striker.

4-2. Game, set and match.

Final thoughts:  

As a team, we didn’t do enough over the 90 minutes to win the game.  Christ the King were a good, solid team and I’m sure they’ll be challenging at the top come the end of the season.

The club/team spirit has really impressed me, since I joined in the summer, BUT there was a lot of whining yesterday (not just the players on the pitch), so that was disappointing to see.      

We’ve got another big game at the weekend and have a few players missing. So others will (again) get the opportunity to prove that they deserve the shirt.

We go again..."

DAN McDONALD, BRINKLOW FC...