SO KEZ... DID YOU MEAN IT?????

Pot Black v Juggs
25-09-09
Win 4-3

On another warm Sunday morning with the pitch’s getting even harder to play good football on, PB were playing one of the unbeaten teams in the league.

The day did not start well with PB having to make several changes because of players unavailability and players not turning up on the morning of the match without giving notice to anyone. So my thanks go to Ross and Lansy who showed what commitment is by turning up to support the team knowing they did not have much chance to play but without them we would not have had 11 players which is totally unacceptable with the squad we have.

PB team started with Ethan in goal, Kez starting at right back, Ross making a welcome return in the middle of the park and Coops up front.

The game started with both sides struggling to play football on the surface but Juggs appeared to be handling the conditions the better and should have taken an early lead but blazed the ball over the bar.

The game turned PB’s way when Quinn making a good run in from the left hit a shot into the bottom corner of the net. This was the confidence booster PB wanted and took control of the game. The back four of PB looking strong against a very good Juggs forward line with Kez at right back, looking as if he had played there for years.

PB took control of the game after 2 penalty decisions in quick succession, both converted by Quinn to give him his hat-trick to give PB a 3-0 lead at half-time.

The second half was totally different after Juggs converted a penalty soon into the half and bombarded the PB goal with PB struggling to get a foot on the ball.

It was no surprise that a second goal came and the third giving the game a total different aspect with PB hanging on for a point. Ross came off after putting in a strong display in midfield but his first game for a long time was taking its toll and he was replaced by Lansy. PB were having more of the play with Lansy’s physical nature upfront giving the Juggs defence something different to think about.

With the game seemingly heading for a draw, the ball was played from the left into the path of Kez some 35 yrds out and he hit a screamer into the roof of the net much to the delight of players and the watching fans. This has to be a contender for goal of the season already. Still Juggs missed another couple of chances to equalise but PB run out winners, although rather luckily but considering the conditions and the changes requires to the team at short notice, the win is still very satisfying.

MOM

Kez - looked very solid at full-back and scored a tremendous goal to win the match.

BACK TO WINNING WAYS

Pot Black v AFC Star
13-09-09
Result won 3-1

This week was going to be a crunch game for PB following the defeat by Lake Lothing last week. This was not going to be easy against another of the ‘so called’ top teams who had surprisingly lost their first game also.

It was a much changed team this week with player’s either unavailable or injured meant the welcome return of Targer into the centre of mid-field, Reedo in goal and a new strike force of Ethan and Carl making their debuts.

The game kicked off on a bone hard pitch for the second week but both teams were trying to keep the ball on the ground to their credit. Not many chances were created at either end but PB were having the majority of the play with Targer and Max winning the important battle in the centre of the park and not giving the opposition any time on the ball.

Reedo kept PB in the game with a superb one handed save, pushing the ball round the post. Not long after the all important first goal came after neat work on the right hand side between Targer and Danny resulting in a good cross to the far post enabling Quin to score with a good header into the bottom corner of the net.

The second goal was not long coming with Carl chasing onto a through ball and cleverly clipping it past the keeper.
Half-time came with PB leading 2-0 and with a much improved display from last week.

The second half was played in the same vein as the first with both sides looking for a goal but neither team creating chances and the PB back four looking strong in every position.
PB nearly got the important goal but Targer brought an excellent save from the keeper, tipping his goal bound shot over the bar. Kieron came on the right side to replace Danny who had a good game. The next change saw Ollie replacing Ethan upfront who had linked well with Carl considering this was their first outing together.

The 3 points looked to be heading PB's way until a controversial penalty gave AFC the chance to get back into the game with 15mins to go. Carl then got injured and was replaced by Lansy upfront. Still PB looked to finish the game off and did so in the last minute after good work by Quin on the left, sending over a cross which just eluded Lansy but he retrieved the ball and sent an inch perfect cross into the path of Targer to smash the ball into the roof of the net and deservedly get the 3 points.

This was a greatly improved performance on the previous week and this is what PB need to produce every week if we are to emulate last seasons success.

MOM
Simon Durrant (Targer). Superb game considering a long time out injured.
No game next week

FALSE START...

Lake Lothing v Pot Black FC
06-09-09
Result lost 4-0

The start of a new season started with a game against Lake Lothing at Normanston Park.

For the start of a new season, let’s start with a gripe regarding the facilities the council playing grounds have.
With the actual disgusting state of the playing surface and changing facilities, it must be time for the league committee to challenge the prices charged by the local council.
The pitch although hard because of the weather which the council could have no responsibility for, they must be accountable for the playing surface, which had various amounts of sand over it to fill in the holes on the pitch rather than repair.
This is not an excuse on why we lost because it was the same for both teams but I think it is about time these issues were raised to the local council.

Now for the game, the game was over within the first 5 minutes after the opposing manager flagged for off-side and was challenged by Hogde using foul and abusive language in the eyes of the referee, sent him off. Although completely in the wrong, this seemed a bit harsh so early in the game.

Playing with 10 men still PB were the only team trying to play football and gave a good account of themselves with Max Wall in mid-field covering every inch of the ground. The first half came to an end with neither side looking likely to score but still PB had battled well to come in level at the break.

Second half continued in the same vein although Lake Lothing came out looking more likely to score than in the first half especially from set plays with PB defensive marking leaving a lot to be desired.
Tom Miles should have scored when put through but the keeper made a good save.
With the heat and 10 men taking its toll, Lake scored with 10 mins to go from a corner with more poor marking in the defence.
3 more goals came when PB left themselves exposed by going 3 at the back looking for a draw.

So a poor result but PB must take some positives from a game against one of the title challengers which could have gone either way if played with 11 players on each side.

MOM
MAX WALL – never stopped running all game.

Next Week
Normanston Park (bring your bucket & spades for the beach!!!!)