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Mac
Industries looked like the team that Marle Place were in the
dark ages of John Smith's reign this evening, as they went
down 16-7 to a very organised and impressive Handcross side at
the MBM Services McCarthy Industries Triangle Community
Stadium. Farhall made one change from the side that won last
time out - Gary Harding missed out with a rectum injury, which
meant Jake Venn came into the side. The starting side was
injury depleted - McCarthy had rib and back trouble from a
match the previous evening, Lloyd had ankle trouble where he
was hit with a cricket ball, Walmlsey had a wrist injury, for
which he wore a cast, and Chapman's ankle injury continued to
cause him discomfort. The day started badly - the transport
for Bert Lloyd, Scott McCarthy and Jamie Farhall was late,
meaning they did not arrive until 45 minutes before kick off.
This, coupled with the missing of the trademark huddle before
the match, pointed to bad signs before the game
The
game started badly for Mac Industries, when they went down 1-0
early on, as the defence backed off and allowed them to shoot
at will. It happened again not too long after, as Handcross
went 2-0 up. It wasn't for long though, as Chapman went
through on goal to make it 2-1 with a fine finish, much to the
delight of the Disabled Area. It was short lived though, as
another moment of poor defending saw Handcross put it home
again, and again, to make it 4-2. The Hamsters defence was
looking shaky, and Harding, out with a rectum injury, was
being sorely missed for his playmaking skills in the center of
the park. Mac Industries were struggling to string 2 passes
together, but when they did they looked dangerous. Handcross
were exploiting the weakness in the defence, as they soaked up
pressure and hit on the break. Jake Venn soon showed what he
was capable of though, when he got onto the end of Chapman
cross to pull it back to 4-2. Chapman was soon entering into
an altercation with Handcross 'beefy' center forward, when he
felt he was knocked unfairly off of the ball. Walmsley was
soon at a head with him as well, and McCarthy, in another one
of his rash moments, came charging out of his area for a high
ball, only to almost kick the striker in the head. Handcross
made their possession and dominance count, or rather Mac
Industries did, as Bert Lloyd kept up his record of scoring in
every match, except this time it was in the wrong goal.
Wanderers went into half time 5-2 down
During
half time, questions were asked. A change of tactics was
agreed, and a major fall out was emitted when McCarthy agreed
to stay in goal, much to the disappointment of the Non-Clock
End. The change in tactics, put forward by Tom Walmsley, had
the desired affect, as Mac Industries, now adopting 2
wing-backs, were able to balance defence with attack, meaning
they were not caught out in either position. Farhall, who
surprisingly had not netted yet, soon changed that, when he
latched onto the ball from Walmsley, a trademark sweeping
effort across the pitch, to fire it home and make it 5-3.
However, defensive lapses saw the Hamsters slip 10-3 behind,
and it was made 11 when McCarthy, who called for the ball, was
beaten by one of his own team mates for the second time in the
match, this time Venn hitting it firmly past his own keeper. A
fine run by Lloyd though resulted in a hard hit cross, which
defied everyone, and allowed Chapman to walk the ball home,
possibly his easiest goal all season to make it 10-4. However,
Handcross soon pulled 12-4 ahead. The fans in all sections of
the ground had become restless, and Farhall knew he had to do
something. Much to the disgust of the players on the pitch,
Venn took over in goal as McCarthy was substituted, soon to
come on to tighten up the defence. With the introduction of a
keeper out on the pitch, the Handcross fans jeered at this
last, desperate attempt by Mac Industries to pull back into
this game. McCarthy, alongside Lloyd and Jones, were now
forming a tighter defence, which meant Walmsley could get
forward more and support Farhall. The change instantly worked,
when a long ball up field found Farhall, who made it 10-4.
Handcross netted 2 more though, but McCarthy won a tackle, ran
forward, cut inside and curled a wondrous effort into the top
corner to make it 10-5. The Hamsters were lifted, and when
Chapman was re-introduced, he combined well with Farhall to
make it 10-6, with the manager getting his second of the game.
Chapman felt he should've had a penalty, but a foul took place
outside of the box, but Mac Industries were pushing forward.
Venn was showing he was not just in goal because no-one else
wanted to be, when he pulled off a top class double save,
followed by a string of fine stops. McCarthy was soon subbed
in the rolling subs game, and the Hamsters slipped 15-6
behind. He came back on though, and helped set up Walmsley for
the goal of the game, a hard hit drive from distance that left
the keeper with no chance. Wanderers continued to push,
playing a sleek passing game that, had they of played from the
start, they may well of won with. A host of chances followed,
including one from McCarthy, who, with an open goal hit it
straight at the keeper. Handcross added another late on to
make it 16-7, and that is how it finished. Despite the poor
performance, the 100% effort the players had put in earned the
applause of the Non-Clock End, the Pouton Corner, the Barry
Smith Stand and the Bert Lloyd family enclosure, but this
didn't hide the disappointment of neither the fans nor the
players.
After
the match, questions were asked about the performance, as the
players stayed in the changing room for 30 minutes.
Afterwards, Scott McCarthy had this to say: "We lost
today, but I am not too unhappy with the game itself. The fans
may be deadly upset because we lost, but that's only 2 games
out of 5 now - when we came in here we said it would take time
to iron out a side, let it gel together and get it working.
These players still don't know how each other play, and that
is something that can't be taught. It will take time - some
fans are expecting us to be like Arsenal and go the whole
season unbeaten. It won't happen. Last season we didn't win a
game at all. Now we have won 3/5. Those fans need to remember
the past, and how dire the team performed, then imagine the
future, and how exciting it could be if we can get things
right. Today we were good - the passing movement at times was
the best I've seen it, we out played them for periods of the
game. Once again we missed Doug Lane at the back, his strength
is an important factor. The fact we got hit on the break so
many times because we didn't have a defender willing to stay
back was evident today, and highlighted the need for us to get
Lane back into the side. Jones improved again today, and he is
looking like a solid performer. Each game he grows in
confidence, and he will only get better over time. Bert Lloyd
showed that he can do a job in marshalling the defence in
Doug's absence, and he will be disappointed with the own goal,
but I think he had a good game. Jake Venn was lacking in
fitness and confidence today, but it was his first game back
and I think he looks a good prospect. Over time he will
improve and hold down a regular first team slot, and he showed
that he has certainly got the ability to push myself for the
number one shirt. Walmsley was our man of the match again
today, he worked hard as ever, and his passi ng was key at the
back. He looked more solid going forward, and we know he can
play there when we get Doug back. Farhall and Chapman linked
up well again today, but they are still a new partnership, and
like the rest of the team, need time to gel before we can
really judge them. We may have lost today, but I think the
positives to come out of this game certainly out weigh the
negatives. There is a long way to go before we can say this
Marle Place side is complete, as we are still gelling. Today,
we may have lost the battle, but we haven't lost the war. KEEP
THE FAITH"
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