Pot Black v Lake Lothing
05-04-09
Win 5-2
Pot Black faced their biggest test so far if they were continue in their quest to win the league playing a Lake Lothing side that had beaten them previously.
The match was played on a lovely Sunday morning ideal for good football apart from the pitch being on the firm side. There was a large crowd to watch this game especially from Waveney Hearts who were hoping for a different outcome of the match.
The match started with PB having the upper hand and playing all the football and Lake relying on the long ball approach, which was being easily dealt with by PB’s back four. PB should have taken an early lead from a cross, which left Birdy with a chance, but his shot was not strong enough and left the keeper with an easy save. Still PB was having the majority of the game with Max and Hodg in the centre of midfield controlling everything. The first goal was not long coming after excellent work by Liam on the wing left Rory in the middle unmarked to hit a shot into the corner of the net. This was no more then PB deserved and soon after number 2 come, after good work by Rob at full back, enabled Birdy to bravely jump and beat the keeper to the ball and header it into the net. PB was now in total control, the only problem being as it was for both teams, the poor decision making of the referee on numerous occasions.
PB nearly put the game beyond Lake with Liam left with a clear run on to goal only for the keeper to make an excellent save. But as games go, Lake got back into the it after a bad mistake by Reedo allowed Lake to pull a goal back. Half-time came with PB leading 2-1 and deserving more after a tremendous first half by the team.
After a half-time pep-talk which consisted of more of the same, the second half started with Liam braking down the right wing beaten several players and hitting a shot under the advancing keeper and into net for an excellent PB’s third goal. This was just the start we needed and PB continued to pass the ball through midfield to give Lake problems, rather than rely on the long ball tactics of Lake, which PB’s defence were now handling well. The only concern was coming from set pieces and from one, Lakes second goal come. After clearing the corner, a shot from the edge of the box ending up in PB corner of the net, much to the delight of Lake’s players and the watching Waveney following. Birdy had to be replaced by Kieron soon after having a good game on the right side of midfield but getting a re-occurrence of sore shins.
PB responded excellently and continued to cause Lake issues with Liam outstanding every time he got the ball and on a couple of occasions when penned into the corner only to drop a shoulder and quick feet leaving numerous defenders in his wake was worth getting up on Sunday mornings to watch. The only thing missing was the elusive fourth goal and several misses which could have come back to haunt PB but after good work by Rory and hitting powerful shot which the keeper saved well but only managing to palm the ball into the path of Coops to put the ball into the net and this time it was the players and supporters of PB to celebrate. The game was now almost won but PB looked for a fifth which their football deserved today and that was not long coming after excellent work by Kieron beating several players and getting to the by-line to hit a perfect cross for Rory to header into the net to give the final result a tremendous 5-2 win for PB.
This was an excellent performance by the team who responded to some criticism lately with a display of fluent football together with the right commitment, which they will need to show in the coming weeks with the treble still on.
MOM:
Liam Harvey-Cooper – superb all-round effort and his skills on the ball was something to see.
Next Week
Carlton Red House – Normo, League Cup.
