We started the match very positively, forcing the play and getting behind the opponants defence. An early long range volley from Charlie Frampton was to set the tone for the first half as we created chance after chance. James Hurrell Smith had come back from injury into defence and looked very confident with James Boulton reverting to his position just in front. With Scott Gregory moved into Midfield with Oli Randall, Mo Bouaziz wide right and Brad Monell partnering Charlie up top, we exposed the weakness in the Broadwalk team with some determined passing and great movement. On 10 mins, James Boulton gave a great pass down the flank to Brad Monelle whose control and cross from the bye line was mis handled by the keeper and crossed the line to put us 1-0 up. Shortly after, Brad had a good chance to double our score but his shot on the turn just flew over the bar. The first corner of the match from Mo Bouaziz fell to the head of Charlie Frampton whose header just went over. Craig Francis distribution in goal was building chances from the defence and following a great ball over the top of the defence Brad Monelle shot again just missed the target. Another great corner from Mo was met by Oli Randall whose header also just missed the back of the net. Any chances that Broadwalk were attempting to create were well managed by our defence with Michael Payne winning some vital headers. The best chance of the first half was again started by Craig Francis whose throw out to Mo Bouaziz was controlled, beat his marker and played a great ball down the channel to Brad Monelle who beat his defender and put a great cross shot across the keeper for Scott Gregory to just miss the open goal with his outstretched foot. How we were to reflect on these missed chances as 20 seconds from the end of the first half, a mis timed tackle allowed a Broadwalk striker to get a strike on goal which flew passed Craig Francis in goal to bring Broadwalk undeservedly level with the final kick of the half.

With our heads held high despite a lucky strike, we were playing so confidently it was a boost to our morale to have so outplayed the Division leaders. We didn’t create quite as many chances in the second half as Broadwalk continued to rise their luck. Our discipline was excellent, despite the intimidation our opponents were trying to inflict but we were to regret those missed chances as Broadwalk took the lead following a good passage of play. Chances were still coming as our play with the ball was as good as it was in the first half. Both Oli Randall and Scott Gregory were really enjoying themselves as they gave both Charlie and Brad some good balls to feed off. In particular, Brad had 3 good solos runs with the ball at his feet where he beat his marker and got his shot away only for the keeper to be equal. With time running out, a change of formation forced a final chance following a great overhead flick from Lewis Watt into the path of Brad who got his shot over the keeper , yet somehow it got deflected onto the bar and stayed out. With the play so open, it was inevitable Broadwalk would get another chance, which they were fortunate to receive following a push on our defender, yet it stood and so we ended up losing a game that we deserved at least a point from. On another day we would won the game by a big margin of goals, and so we have to learn the hard way to work even harder in games such as these that we must take our chances and limit those for our opponents.

Man of the Match today could have been awarded to most of the players as they all played so very well. It was almost impossible to single out anyone in such a good team performance where everyone complemented each other. By a very narrow margin, Scott Gregory was handed the award for his Midfield work.