The Reserve team fell to a disappointing home defeat against a struggling Sidmouth team, a late goal confirming a 2-0 defeat.
Well lads, we’re making this match report malarkey more difficult than it needs to be. While tempting to copy and paste last weeks match report with the addition of two opposition goals, I’ll still give it a go of documenting the ground hog day of another home disappointment.
While the first half hour of this week’s match had slightly less good football played than the week prior, the end result was very similar – clear dominance and a number of half chances, but a struggle to create that really clear chance. When the opportunities did arrive the Sidmouth keeper was quickly out of his goal with some solid stops.
Just beyond the half hour the narrative did take a detour from the prior week. The occasional long balls from Sidmouth were starting to create concern, with Sidmouth finding themselves through on Pat’s goal with alarming frequency. One effort was well blocked by Pat, who was then beaten by the striker who made the strange decision to pass it wide of the post rather than into the empty goal. Not to be outdone his striking partner then hit a first time shot which flew out for a throw at least 20 yards from the corner flag. Warning signs of a serious threat, if not top quality finishing.
The warning went unheeded when Sidmouth struck just before half time. I would provide more detail but I was looking for a stray ball in the trees, which would have been a good place to view the second half.
Indeed the second half did deteriorate into a ground hog day of the week before, and as the half went on Bill Murray looked as likely to score as anyone on the pitch. The afternoon was probably best summed up by the one chance which was created but missed, with James surely regretting using his shoulder rather than head with the goal gaping.
Sidmouth played with passion and commitment, increasing desperate to secure all three points, celebrating each goal kick won and generally playing with more soul than a sock with a hole. As the game entered the final minute Cullompton made one last attempt to win the ball, committing men but a couple of deflections later the Sidmouth forward was through and finished much better than he had in the first half. And that was that.
So, on balance the game wasn’t the same as last week – in almost every area it was slightly worse. Yet there remains periods of good football and a glut of half chances which suggests fortune may change at any time. And the game may well have set a record for the number of air kicks in a single game, which I guess is some kind of achievement. With more home games ahead let’s hope that the periods of good football will be soon rewarded with some points on the board.
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