Summary
This was the first of a difficult double-header against the team, currently top of the division. Because our home pitch would not have been fit for a double-header, the game was switched to an artificial pitch, which should not have been too much of a problem for us, as we train on a similar surface, albeit indoors.

However, we seemed somewhat overawed by the occasion. I can only hazard a guess as to what caused us to start off so hesitantly, but it was probably a combination of the team we were playing against, plus the artificial surface that put doubts in our minds. All over the park, we panicked and took a long time to settle. We definitely showed a little too much respect to our opponents.
Team news: We only had 11 fully fit players with Sam Royden-Ryell nursing a tight hamstring. Connaire Rees turned up late, which caused a reshuffle of our starting line-up. Brad Lonergan began in goal as usual. Andy Skivington switched to right-back; Matt George went to left-back; Harley Hines and Tom NL were in the centre of defence as normal. In the midfield, we had Sam on the right, Jack Hughes on the left, with Tom Whiting and Jack Hine in the centre. Dan D’Rosario took over the Captain’s armband and played as an attacking midfielder, just behind striker, Matt O’Donnell. Connaire Rees was on the bench.
Little Sharsted put us under a lot of pressure right from the start. They adapted to the pitch quicker and better than we did. In the opening fifteen minutes we could hardly break out of our half. Whenever we got the ball we seemed to give it straight back.
They had the chance to open the scoring on 4 minutes after a great delivery into our goal area but the chance was missed from 6 yards. A long throw five minutes later caused a similar problem but again we were let off the hook.
We came into the game on 13 minutes, when Dan got hold of the ball and went on a typical dribbling run. We managed to string a few passes together but there was no end product. The sting in the tail came when Little Sharsted attacked and scored on 15 minutes.
Our heads seemed to go down already. Only Matt George continued to drive forward from his defensive position to try and create some problems for Little Sharsted. The rest of us found it difficult to bring the ball under control and play our normal brand of football.
There was a five minute spell late in the first half when we started to play football and pegged Little Sharsted back in their own half. That was when we saw the first signs of them wobbling under our pressure.
However, as with any good team, they withstood our attack and then punished us with two quick counter-attacks of their own. Both resulted in goals right on half-time. Little Sharsted went into the break 3 nil up, a scoreline that seemed a little harsh.
We rested Sam for the second half to try and protect his hamstring injury. Connaire Rees came into the centre of midfield with Jack Hine switching to his normal right-midfield role. Whilst I was tempted to push Matt George further forward, it would have required a major reshuffle involving several players. So I left him where he was and we missed his power going forward.
Little Sharsted began the second half where they left off. Tom NL had to clear off his own line in the first minute, though we felt our keeper, Brad, had been fouled just before then. Once the fourth and fifth goals went in a few minutes later, our heads went down further and a little bit of frustration started to creep in. Luckily it was a short half and we didn’t have to wait long for the final whistle.

Match Highlights
15 mins – GOAL. LITTLE SHARSTED. 1 – 0
29 mins – GOAL. LITTLE SHARSTED. 2 – 0
30 mins – GOAL. LITTLE SHARSTED. 3 – 0
Half time 3 – 0
30 mins – SUBSTITUTION. SAM ROYDEN-RYELL OFF. CONNAIRE REES ON. Jack Hine switched to right-midfield. Connaire went to the centre of midfield.
36 mins – GOAL. LITTLE SHARSTED. 4 – 0
37 mins – GOAL. LITTLE SHARSTED. 5 – 0
Final score 5 – 0

Man of the Match: Matt George
Matt was the only player who showed any effort in this game. He looked for the ball from our keeper; wasn’t afraid to take opponents on; and tried to play balls for the front players to get on. It was a shame that his power and desire was not used further up the pitch where he could have done more damage.