Tonbridge Invicta Under 16's v Orpington Colts

WE LET THEM BACK IN

ORPINGTON COLTS 3 TONBRIDGE INVICTA 2

01.12.02

For the first 30 minutes of this game we looked well worth our one goal lead. This was very well taken early on by Daniel Powell, as he cut in from the right after being released by a well weighted pass from Paul Muddle. Although Colts threatened at times we seemed to be coping pretty well and were counter attacking with effect.

Then somehow we seemed to take our foot off the gas for the last 10 minutes of the first half and gave the opposition some belief. When we scored almost immediately in the second period it looked like we would finish the job. Some good closing down on their defence and goalkeeper forced a mistake and Andrew Jarrett was on hand to slam the ball into the Orpington net for 2-0.

Whether we relaxed even further or whether the worsening pitch and conditions stopped us playing our passing game is unclear, but for the next 25 minutes or so we lost concentration and all control on the game. Within a few moments of scoring our second some sloppy defending allowed a Colts player too much time and they grabbed a goal back.

Now we seemed to invite pressure as we lost the midfield battle in the increasing mud. The home side were able to equalise from a corner and then to our horror grab another shortly afterwards to give them the lead.

Up until the last 10 minutes Colts dominated and we had to work very hard in defence to keep them out. Despite the ultimate result, Man Of The Match Neil Wilson seemed to get stronger the longer the game went on and he fought hard to keep Colts at bay.

We should have equalised twice in the closing minutes. Daniel Powell's close range shot dribbled towards the line but the mud proved too much for it and as it slowed agonisingly the Orpington keeper just got back to tip the ball round the post. Andrew Jarrett also came close following a free kick, but it was not to be.

This second league defeat was most frustrating, against a side that we should have beaten out of sight. We must put it behind us but learn from some basic mistakes that we made in the second half. We must also pray that we don't have to play in such dreadful conditions gain!