Head injuries don't count

I asked for a reaction this week and I got one.

It didn't start well with so many away for what ever reason, last min drop outs and even trawling through old players numbers didn't help. We arrived at South Water with 11. 5 players, well 7 as it stood at 2.40pm . Haroon committed to us even whilst on Ramadan, So we had to be mindful of his energy systems. It really felt like back against the wall stuff. One plus point was Gids getting out of work early to make the 2nd half.

South Water came at us early doors and AV and Butler dealt with everything, Jack didn't break a sweat and I scrapped through with experience. After the initial 5 mins of pressure TD started taking control Harry cope and Erick dominating midfield, receiving in tight areas and popping the ball about with ease. This in turn allowed the wingers Christian and Harry Powell to be on their toes, quick and Mario to scare the life out of them chasing the through balls. Senra defiantly had his pro plus , brilliant in the 10, and LB,MIDFIELD,WING and CB he took the free role to another level. South water couldn't handle him and this lead to the gaps opening up to get Mario away to open the scoring 1-0. Harry ,p came close as did Mario and Christian but we just couldn't capitalise on our hard work and dominance. With South water relying on set pieces and lumping up to lurch at the back post who constantly used AV as a climbing frame and getting no protection from the ref this should of been a sign of things to come.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first. South water started changing formation, subbing every couple of mins, and turned up the aggression levels with constant fouls which the ref wasn't the best at spotting.
South water had 2 chances that looked like dead certs so how Harry Charman got to them I'll never know. Its his job to stop shots but these were spectacular and for me made him MOM just ahead of Senra, imo. but the team had Jack c closer to him for that, Jack has matured and grown and is now a pen player for me all day long. All TDs hard work was undone as Harry Charman was poleaxed in the box leaving him prone in the box with his head in his hands. As TD players stopped to care for there keeper the game continued . TD had lads knelt down by the keeper ,a few in up roar and a few trying to still play. With this sort of injury the refs first port of call is players safety and he completely disregarded his duties and continued to play. Southwater eventually scored and its only the refs embarrassment and stubbornness that stopped him doing the right thing. he then sin binned our captain for questioning his decision in a polite way. Absolutely gutted for the boys 1-1.

TD threw everything at South water ,hitting the post again, unfortunately the ref had lost the game was giving off sides before the lino, no protection to players ,both sides.It left a sour taste in our mouths to come away with a draw FT 1-1

The performance given by the boys on that day was something to be proud of and they 100% deserved to celebrate a win. South water gave us a good game and did what they had to do to get a point.

MOM HARRY CHARMAN