Blue Stripes lose but good first game workout

MYS Blue Stripes 2 -v- 6 Windsor Pele

Despite losing, this was a good first game for the boys as they are unlikely to come up against tougher opposition in the coming season.

Apart from a spell at the beginning of the second half when we lost our concentration and lost 3 goals in quick succession the boys all dug in well although Ross did have to be on inspired form with several top class saves especially in the second half when we were against a strong wind. It was particularly pleasing for the coaches that all the players kept their heads up and continued to battle even after going 5-1 down.

We started the game well with the wind at our backs and should probably have been ahead before we lost a goal against the run of play with a bit of sloppy defending. Windsor managed to tuck a second away before Paul Clark pulled one back just before half time.

The second half saw us playing into an increasingly strong wind and, as expected, Windsor used this to their advantage pinning us back and shooting at every opportunity. As well as Ross, Reece also deserves a mention for a solid display in defence, arguably his best game since joining the side. As has often been the way we actually played better football against the wind, keeping the ball on the deck and getting in behind the opposition defence on several occasions. We could have scored in the second half at least once before Matthew made a good run to get on the end of a square pass from Paul and tuck the ball away.

All in all not a disaster despite the scoreline and if we continue to maintain that good team spirit and approach we will win far more games than we will lose in the coming period of fixtures.