Well it’s happened to me enough times, you’re having a great season and you rock up to a Div 3 side expecting to walk it and come away wondering quite what happened. WW were an attractive side to watch, played some pretty stuff and will surely win more games than they lose this season but they hadn’t reckoned on a Lats side who are on a roll and playing with real confidence and spirit.

 

We started solidly enough but WW were soon into their stride and we struggled to cope with their pace and movement. Whilst there were no clear cut chances it was back to the wall stuff for a while but slowly we showed some slick work of our own with Tom and Jase creating openings but speculative shots from Tom and Marlon ‘Manilow’ Andell

were the best we could muster.

 

We’d noticed that the WW midfield, whilst possessing some very good players were not over keen on tracking back and ultimately it was the desire only to play with the ball, and wait for us to give them the ball that cost them the game as all 3 goals cam from our midfield. Against the run of play we scored as Tom put Jase through and he lobbed the onrushing keeper and incredibly within a minute it was two as Tom’s free kick was headed over the keeper by an unmarked Manu and WW had eventually paid the price for not tracking back.

 

By now the game was pretty even and the second half followed the pattern with WW having most of the ball and us looking dangerous on the break with Chris and Ben getting more and more space to play. Dave Blackmore had come on for his brother Tom who was the days only low point as his hamstring injury looks a bad one, and immediately shored up the midfield. Clear chances for either side were as rare as Manu having a post match shower and Wickhams best effort was saved by John from an attempted chip, one on one. Meanwhile Lats defence held firm with Larry directing the traffic and Chris and Dozie outstanding again winning countless challenges. Christ knows how well Dozie will play when he gets to play in a position he enjoys!

 

WW became more and more frustrated as we probably had the better of the decisions though none of them crucial and with 10 to go we wrapped it up as their otherwise excellent keeper dropped a cross and Dave swept home the loose ball.

 

In the end this was a deserved win because we earned the right to play, cliche though it may be. WW may say they were a better side and man for man they were more skillful but they will learn from this that when sides don’t lie down you sometimes have to guts it out. Fair play to them though as they gave us credit for the win and wished us luck, i’m sure they’ll do well in the league.

 

So back to the league next week at home against an always good Alexandra Park side...with some returning players selection could be interesting!!

 

MOM - Chris and Dozie were outstanding again at the back but Jason gets it this week for an all round excellent display, despite being called a ‘northern c***’.