TOM MILESEXCELLENT 2ND HALF PERFORMANCE
Kirkley High School
2-11-08
Score 3-3
After last weeks victory in the Suffolk Cup, this was going to be a hard game for PB with Harrods looking for revenge.
PB made changes again, with Woody returning in goal, Tom Miles returning from university and last minute changes to the line up with call-offs. The team sheet on the dry white board was constantly being updated.
What is happening on Sundays morning, what with fitness tests last week and tactics this week but still the same old story though people calling off at the last moment.
The game kicked off and the tactics seemed to have been left in the changing rooms as Harrods had all the play and looking to avenge last weeks defeat with PB struggling to put 2 passes together. Several chances went begging before Harrods took an early lead and were in total control. This still did not wake PB up and continued to look like a team not interested. The back four were under constant pressure and it took good saves from Woody, solid performance from Darren at the back and some appalling finishing by Harrods to leave the score at 1-0 at half-time. The only good aspect of the game is that PB were still in with a chance after playing so badly and at appeared without much interest.
Strong words were said at half-time and at last PB. Alex had to be replaced by Tom at left-back because of a back injury.
The second half started with PB at last showing some urgency and putting Harrods under pressure for the first time in the game. Rory should have equalised after being put through on 1 to 1 with the keeper on a couple of occasions but at least PB were creating chances now. Still PB continued to press and were now playing a neat passing game which was missing in the first half. But with all the possession in the second half, Harrod took an undeserved 2-0 lead after Hodges tried to dribble his way out of the penalty box and got caught leaving the opposing forward an open goal.
With 25 minutes left. Hodges was then replaced by Max Wall and the team reshuffled. This gave the team a better balance with a lot of good work coming down the left side with Tom looking strong both defensively and going forward.
To PB credit, heads did not drop and came back totalling dominating the game again,
Liam pulled a goal back, who showed Rory how to finish when through on goal with only the keeper to beat. PB were now in total control went looking for an equaliser.
A penalty should have been given after a clear trip on Keiron. The equaliser was not long coming after good work on the right by Kieron and Rory converting the cross.
PB were looking the most likely to win the game until another mistake in the PB defence allowed Harrods to take an underserved lead. With Harrods celebrating and looking likely to win the game, in the last minutes of the game, Liam picked up the ball on the edge of the area and after dribbling his way across the box hit a shot into the opposite corner for the goal of the game.
The game ended with honours even and PB regaining some of their pride after a very poor first half performance.
MOM
Darren Laws-solid performance at the centre of the defence.
Tom Miles – excellent second half performance.
Next week- First UK Normanston Park
