Well that was it boys! It was the performance that we needed to galvanise our season. Even though we were undefeated to date, it was fair to say we weren't really firing on all cylinders. That all changed on Saturday against the Eagles from Normanhurst.
Frankly, the game couldn't of started worse, James and I got caught too high, (and too slow) and they put one of their first touches straight between us, to be run on to by their very quick striker. Slotted even though Dusco got a couple of fingers to it. Like James Bond's martini's, we were shaken not stirred. Luckily that was all about to change, and we pulled our fingers out. The defence sat a bit deeper and cleaned up and we knocked the ball around well. Probably even better than well given the poor condition of the pitch. Fortunately for us, but not for the poor guy, the quick man up front did a hammy about 10 minutes in.
After having the lions share of possession we were rewarded with a penalty from a hand ball. Shiraz asked Tony to take it, Tony was on the bench injured, Bob told Shiraz to take it, then Shiraz told Bob to take it. Full of misplaced confidence after practising at training i put my hand up. Placing the ball down i thought, fuck this keeper is massive. Maybe that, or my complete lack of ability was my undoing. Always going bottom right, i managed to miss hit it straight at the keeper, saved, devo, dickhead!
Again we passed the ball around and Kevin was ruled to have been pushed in the back for our second penalty of the game, (and about the 1000th for the season I'm led to believe!) Kevin, taking my lead, smacked his penalty straight at the giagantour keeper! You ever see that show, saved by the bell, well Kevin is the new star of a spin off, called saved by the lino! Flag up, keeper off his line, have another go Kev! Slotted, 1 all!
Second half, more of the same really, i honestly believe we weren't really threatened the defence finally gelled, the mid field did everything we'd asked for and more, and the boys up front pushed hard. We just couldn't find that goal. Kenny sacrificed his shin for the cause after he was absolutely smashed to win a free kick right on the edge of the box. Up steps Shiraz to smack a screamer on target, giagantour could only fumble it, and Bob was on hand to push it in with his knee, or shin, or knob... 2-1...
Just when we were reasonably comfortable in front, Kevin had a brain snap, well two brain snaps in quick succession, yellow for impeding restart of play from free quick, yellow for impeding a throw in, results in red, bye bye Kevin. Despite the extra man, the Eagles didn't threaten too strongly, we absorbed a lot of pressure for the last 10 minutes and could of sealed it late with 2 or 3 chances on the counter. They looked dangerous from set pieces, but this was more to do with their combined height which if stood head on shoulders would've reached the moon!
Well done Rovers, apart from some dickhead who had his penalty saved, it was a dominate performance even at the end with 10 men. Rest up this weekend Kev, you've earned your weekend off! Everyone else, remember that form, and continue it!
See you at the penalty spot (if anyone lets me near it ever again!)
B!
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