Saturday 16th November, Dorkinians 3 v 2 Loxwood
This season has shown that Loxwood Magpies have developed into a team that can go head-to-head with anyone in this league, and they came into this encounter unbeaten in the last five games. Make no mistake, this was a strong opposition who will be 'there or thereabouts' at the end of the season, having hit double figures a couple of times already this season.
The match started in competitive fashion with a battle being played out in midfield with neither side dominating. The whites looked dangerous up-front with the pace of Rowan and Gethin proving a nuisance for the physical but not so mobile Dorkinians defence, but chances were at a minimum until Dorkinians took a 1-0 lead following some good play on the right hand flank. And so the half ended with Dorkinians 1-0 up.
Then the second half began to spring into life as the Magpies looked ever more dangerous as the pattern of the game settled down without creating real good chances. ......And then two moments occurred within a couple of minutes of each other which ultimately determined the fate of the game - firstly some great pressure from Neo on the Dorkinians defence after they tried to play out from the back resulted in him nicking the ball and, as he was just about to finish when through on goal, he instead squared the ball unselfishly to Gethin whose shot was deflected off an outstretched leg to hit the bar and the opportunity was gone!! This was shortly followed by a similar incident where the Whites tried to play from the back but Dorkinians stole the ball and converted to go 2-0 up!!. Shortly afterwards things got worse when Dorkinians got a third and then the game looked gone - 3-0 was certainly no reflection on the balance of play.
But fair play to the spirit of the boys who continued their flowing passive game, and following a lovely move involving Harry B, Charlie, Ethan and Tom - Neo was released and he calmly slotted home to pull one back. Then a few minutes later, with the clock ticking Neo won a free kick on the edge of the box in an inviting position, and Ethan stood up to with a perfect strike into the top corner. What a finish, Top Bins!!
Could the comeback be on? Well there was a final frantic five minutes but sadly the final whistle just came to early for the resurgent whites.
All in all this was a cracking game between two good sides and to be honest a draw would have been a fair result. It just goes to shows how far the team has come this season where not only are they competitive with any opposition in the league, but also the spirit and endeavour from the boys to nearly turn things round from a 3-0 deficit is great to see and a testament to their collective character.
Man of the match this week goes to Tom for his energy and skill in midfield and as always for his never-say-die attitude and positive outlook. Well done Mr.Bonney!!!
This season has shown that Loxwood Magpies have developed into a team that can go head-to-head with anyone in this league, and they came into this encounter unbeaten in the last five games. Make no mistake, this was a strong opposition who will be 'there or thereabouts' at the end of the season, having hit double figures a couple of times already this season.
The match started in competitive fashion with a battle being played out in midfield with neither side dominating. The whites looked dangerous up-front with the pace of Rowan and Gethin proving a nuisance for the physical but not so mobile Dorkinians defence, but chances were at a minimum until Dorkinians took a 1-0 lead following some good play on the right hand flank. And so the half ended with Dorkinians 1-0 up.
Then the second half began to spring into life as the Magpies looked ever more dangerous as the pattern of the game settled down without creating real good chances. ......And then two moments occurred within a couple of minutes of each other which ultimately determined the fate of the game - firstly some great pressure from Neo on the Dorkinians defence after they tried to play out from the back resulted in him nicking the ball and, as he was just about to finish when through on goal, he instead squared the ball unselfishly to Gethin whose shot was deflected off an outstretched leg to hit the bar and the opportunity was gone!! This was shortly followed by a similar incident where the Whites tried to play from the back but Dorkinians stole the ball and converted to go 2-0 up!!. Shortly afterwards things got worse when Dorkinians got a third and then the game looked gone - 3-0 was certainly no reflection on the balance of play.
But fair play to the spirit of the boys who continued their flowing passive game, and following a lovely move involving Harry B, Charlie, Ethan and Tom - Neo was released and he calmly slotted home to pull one back. Then a few minutes later, with the clock ticking Neo won a free kick on the edge of the box in an inviting position, and Ethan stood up to with a perfect strike into the top corner. What a finish, Top Bins!!
Could the comeback be on? Well there was a final frantic five minutes but sadly the final whistle just came to early for the resurgent whites.
All in all this was a cracking game between two good sides and to be honest a draw would have been a fair result. It just goes to shows how far the team has come this season where not only are they competitive with any opposition in the league, but also the spirit and endeavour from the boys to nearly turn things round from a 3-0 deficit is great to see and a testament to their collective character.
Man of the match this week goes to Tom for his energy and skill in midfield and as always for his never-say-die attitude and positive outlook. Well done Mr.Bonney!!!
