Shire started the stronger in the first 5 mins with 2 pressing attacks which our defensive duo of James Hurrell Smith and Michael Payne and keeper Craig Francis dealt with comfortably. We then began to dominate the play with a lot of possession bringing both full backs James Boulton and Jordan Knight up the pitch to support our attack. Some good corners from Mo Bouaziz failed to connect with a Fry Club head but it was down the wings where we created our best chances. Craig Andrews was playing strongly in a position just behind forward Charlie Frampton and between the 2 of them, they were causing Shires defence problems. Nathan Dawson had to leave the field after 25 mins due to injury but sub Brad Monelle came on right side in his place and really took the game to Shire and was unlucky with a goal line save from a Shire defender. From another Brad Monelle surge, the ball was fired towards goal and was stopped by a Shire defenders hand. Everyone but the ref saw this and from the follow up the ball somehow flew over the bar. This incident was to sum up our game today of decisions and incidents going against us. With 5 mins to go, a rare Shire attack was stopped by James Hurrell Smith whose clearance somehow rebounded into the path of a Shire forward and his shot was saved by Craig Francis but still trickled over the line to put them very undeservedly 1-0 up at half time.

There was no thought that we would lose this game during half time as we were so on top in terms of chances and possession. However, the second half ticked along very quickly, as it always seems to when you are chasing the game, although we still penetrated very deep into their half only for our chances to somehow stay out. Corner after corner from Mo and Kyle Curtis just failed again to be converted and from open play the Shire defence somehow stood firm. With the wind in their favour, a long clearance from the Shire keeper somehow won them a corner. A short corner was taken and from a lucky pull back the ball bounced across our box and was converted again against the run of play to put us 2 down. Although heads didn’t drop, it was now a big mountain to climb but our perseverance paid off as a great cross from Dean Lapham went straight onto the head of Brad Monelle to pull us back within site with 8 minutes to go. Game on. However it wasn’t quite the end we wanted as from another corner, the wind took the ball straight over everyones head onto the far post and in the net to finish the game for us. In the final few minutes as we pushing forward a 4^th was conceded and a most unnecessary booking was given to our Captian Oli Randall which finished off a very disappointing afternoon for us.

We have a lot to learn about ourselves as players and as a team from a frustrating game like this. No matter how on top we are, we must remember that its goals that win games and I guess we just have to hold our hands up today and say its wasn’t going to happen for us. Everyone played well enough but I know we can play far better.

Our Man of the Match today was Captain Oli Randall who was very positive as a player and leader. A mention though for James Hurrell Smith who really played equally well in defence and was unlucky not to win the award today.