Padiham Saints J.F.C

First off congratulations on your unbeaten run of games that ended today, not sure how many it is but it must be pushing twenty games if not more. It had to come to an end sometime and looking on the positive side it happened to the right team with regards to the league position.

The funny thing about today is that you didn’t play bad in the first half in fact you dominated it and yet at the break they were two one up and only had three attacks. As Jimmy Greaves once said ‘It’s a funny old game isn’t it’, well it was and I suppose Ossy were grateful they weren’t four or five down let alone two one up.
Dubious linesman decisions and poor refereeing again played a part, how can you flag for offside when the lad receiving the ball came from an onside position. I don’t give a monkey’s about the two players that were in an offside position they weren’t in play. Another instance of either a dishonest linesman or one that just hasn’t a clue. Given the way he waved his flag one way then the other at every other decision I’d go for the latter. You certainly didn’t deserve to go in at the break a goal down and wouldn’t have done had the linesman flagged a goal that was clearly over the line. That said how could he flag, he wasn’t anywhere near the goal line.

I’ve said before that you have the ability to win ugly even if your form is off key a little bit, well today your form was there and I was fairly confident you’d come out second half and destroy them. So what happened? You just didn’t turn up.

First half you won the balls, passed the ball well, played it wide and down the flanks and basically ran rings round them. At the back Mark and Matty tackled well and laid some good balls to midfield and forwards, the strikers did everything but stick it in the net and had at least eight good goal scoring opportunities and half as many again half chances. You had them licked and blew it.

Second half you just couldn’t play football at all, the passing had gone, the movement had gone and you didn’t challenge for the ball like you did first half. Ok they were physical but get used to it, that’s football and as you get older it’ll get harder. We barely won a ball let alone the second balls and what’s this ‘turning your back’ about when tackling and challenging for a ball? Putting your backside in first when challenging will win you one thing, a kick up it. Mark second half showed how to win a ball with hard but fair challenges, there’s a few that need to seriously work on it.
Finally what’s all this arguing going on again, when you concede a goal it’s never just the individual that’s to blame it can go back four or five passes to where the mistakes happen. When a team starts to argue amongst themselves the opposition have you just where they want you. Cut it out lads it’s of no benefit.
Our keeper was under more pressure second half than he’s had in all the games put together this season so don’t be surprised that mistakes are made. The team allowed them to play the second half, they dominated the midfield, they challenged in defence they pushed you back and made you play deeper and you let them. First half Mark and Matty spent most of it on the halfway line second half they were on the edge of the box. Go figure?

I know, some of you will think I’m a bit ott with the criticism but if the lads don’t see what’s wrong they can’t fix it. You’re still in a strong position and barring any more slip ups the title is yours. Forget about this one now it gone and you can’t change it. Get yourselves focused on the next game and the bigger pitches will suit your play more.