This weekend we were back in league action against local rivals Mytchett Athletic Eagles. Before the game we sat second in the league and Mytchett were in 3rd place. The game started and if we are honest with ourselves we didn’t start great and were playing within ourselves. Our pressing wasn’t as sharp as we have been previously and our passing lacked the usual quality they were used to. That being said the boys never stopped working hard which is all we can ever ask for.
Half way through the first half Mytchett won a corner and the player taking the corner swung an in swinging cross in towards the front post. The flight of the ball caught our Goalkeeper Harvey of guard and the ball went into the net to make 0-1 to the visiting team.
Conceding the goal seemed to wake us up a bit and we started to have a few nice combinations on the pitch and started to build up possession. We had some players resting on the sidelines after coming back from injuries. One of these players was Freddie who we bought on and made an instant impact trying to win every ball that was played forward. His effort was rewarded with 10 minutes to go when he ran onto a through ball and took the ball past the defender who had committed himself and ended up fouling Freddie in the box with the referee pointing to the spot instantly. Freddie stepped up and cooly slotted the ball into the bottom left of the goal to make it 1-1.
We kept the pressure on and started to build again and ended up winning a corner. At this point Fraser told us he felt his hamstring was a bit tight. Rich being the mystic meg asked Fraser if could go and score from the corner before we took him off. Fraser trudged up to the penalty box and hung about just on the edge. The ball was whipped in superbly and Fraser timed his run to perfection between two defenders and headed the ball into the right hand side of the goal past the Mytchett keeper.
The game continued for about two minutes before the referee stopped for half time. We felt like we were in the AFCON as it turned out he had stopped the half 5 minutes early and we were soon back out to play the remaining 5 minutes. The first half eventually finished 2-1 to Complete. The boys came in and we talked about the half and they agreed they hadn’t started great and we had done well to get back into the game and come away leading at half time. The challenge for the second half was to hold onto the lead and see the game out.
The second half started and we changed formation from 4-4-2 (with a diamond) to 4-3-3. The boys started positively and had most of the possession. We had chances to kill the game off with some clever balls over the top and players running in behind but we were unable to finish our chances. We had a heart in mouth moment with 10 minutes to go when Mytchett broke free with our defenders recovering and Harvey closing down the striker. The striker struck low towards goal, Harvey was set and ready and made a great 1 on 1 save trapping the ball underneath him. With both teams trying to retain possession, Complete trying to find a third goal and Mytchett wanting an equaliser the game was played mostly in the Mytchett half. Both teams battling to the very end. The final whistle was blown and Complete deserved the 3 points and cemented their second place in the league.
Thank you to Mytchett for once again a competitive and entertaining game. Our MOM was Isaac who put in an amazing performance at Centre back and clearing up everything and leading by example through the whole game.
