Barton United vs Gresley Rovers
Barton Utd 7 - 1 Gresley Rovers
Scorer: Rich Hanslow
Team: Stu Haywood, Carl Wymark, Tom Gregory, Kyle Jones, Jack Moylan, Mark Shorthouse (c), Todd Foster, Rich Hanslow, Sam Ingley, Chris Smith, Paul Morton
Subs: Alex Smith, Alex Peplow
We travelled to Barton today, who won the Pedigree league last season, and again I struggled to get a team together. However Jack Moylan, who although is only 15,was included in the team having trained with us for quite a while so
I knew he was easily good enough and with a great attitude to match. We had two subs signing on the day, which I really appreciate, these being Alex Smith and Alex Peplow.
So we started off quite brightly, playing against a very experienced side, which included ex Rovers defender Paul Wardle. We were playing good passing football, and Jack Moylan settled in from the start which I knew he would. They were quick on the break though, with their No15 and the first chance he got he took it so with only 12 minutes gone we were 1-0 down. We continued, and I think shading things, and pulled back to 1-1 when Rich Hanslow broke clear and beat the keeper. So we were back in it and still
pushed forward, but were caught on the break, and despite two heroic saves from Stu Haywood we went 2-1 down. It was a little harsh though as we didn't deserve to go in at half time behind.
Second half we made two changes, replacing Jack Moylan for Alex Peplow as Jack had played a game in the morning, and replaced Paul Morton for Alex Smith as Paul was struggling with a groin strain. I really don't know how, but we conceded 5 goals in the second half??, and to be honest could have been more!!!. It was nothing to do with the chances we made, as the two Alexs settled in very well, and for saying I'd never seen Alex Peplow play before, he impressed me with his composure and awareness.
So today, we've shown that once again, we're in a lot better league with some very strong and experienced teams in there. We seemed to collapse today, and I honestly believe that we didn't deserve the heavy defeat. We weren't good enough to win the game but I feel that we certainly didn't deserve the thumping we got. We tired second half, which considering our ages, we shouldn't
which is why training is so necessary and we need more players attending. As I've stated many times our team is not about results, but nobody can enjoy such heavy defeats, because I certainly don't. We ALL need to work for 90 minutes and keep our shape, or we'll become the "whipping boys" in the league and I know we're better than that! We had a few players playing injured, like
Paul Morton and Todd Foster, and this shows how committed you ALL are we just need to keep focussed for the whole game ALL OF US! Heads up lads because I'm positive that we will turn the corner, and when we do there will be NO STOPPING US!!!
MOM: Rich Hanslow, took his goal well and created problems for their defence.
