Kewing up for Braces!

2 goals a piece for Andy, Asa and man of the match Yusuf settled this entertaining affair.

For most of the warm up, we were all alone at the pitch. Kew to be honest were not the most organised team off the pitch, with no ref, lino, flags or subs.

However all the organisation and preparation off the pitch counts for nothing when we give a penalty away after 8 seconds from our kick off!

Nassim rolled the ball back in usual fashion looking to play, however James wasn't prepared for it and got a little flustered, the forward nicked the ball glided past him and onto Stan in goal who wasn't expecting the fast start and the striker was felled.

Fortunately we weren't punished for this opening, as their player skied it, but we have to learn, every player has to be ready to play when the referee blows his whistle.

Every player has to concentrate, and expect the ball. These are the differences between a win and a loss. On Sunday we got the luck thats been missing these last few weeks. We weren't lucky to win this game, not by any means, but we have been heavily punished for mistakes and lapses in concentration, missed tackles and goalkeeping errors which in turn have led to defeats, from games we should have won or not lost.

We all do, and all will ,make mistakes, which is why we must continue to work hard on all the basics, bring enthusiasm and energy to our performances, and make every effort to stay focused during the game, start to finish.

I have to say that once the penalty was missed we went about the game with great intent.
Yusuf led the line fantastically well, and well taken goals from Andy and Asa gave us a two goal lead. Kew battled as hard as they could, and forced their way back in with a goal in the break which had a suspicion of offside about it.

Yusuf extended the lead only to have it wrongly disallowed by the linesboy.

This led to the linesboy being replaced as it's against the rules not to have a competent adult on the line, (some could argue we only had Ben) and we carried on without the two goal lead we should have had. They equalised shortly after and the game stayed as a draw until half time.

I think the mood at half time was one of resignation. We've had leads before and lost them, we've played well and lost.

Well not this time,I think this is where we needed a reminder of what it takes to win matches. Spirit, team work and a will to make it happen. There was a challenge laid down to the boys, they've got to find a way, they are good enough, they just have to show it!

And boy did they come out fighting, James came in to the right two minutes into the half and really displayed the required attitude, he fought for every ball, we kept possession really well throughout the centre of the park and looked a threat up front. Our biggest worry was over committing at the back.

Bang bang bang, and we were 5-2 up after fifteen minutes, Controlling the game, and looking better. Looking confident.

There was a timely reminder not to switch off when a tiring James got caught in possession and we conceded needlessly, but after the work he'dput in no one could point any fingers of blame, as he was behind all of out back three and lost control.

We only had time left for Andy to finish a great move and the game with it.

Well done boys, small steps are being made every week, improvements are there for all to see. It's was great to get our first win of the season.