As for the performance, despite a couple of late notice no shows and only 11 players at the ground 30mins before kick off (including 1 injured and not intending to play). It was a definite improvement.
We were forced to play with a back 3 (Nick Edwards/Mikel Case/David Tshibongy) who were outstanding for the first 65 minutes.
The first goal conceded in the the first half came from a corner...our weakest situation. Horsley have several tall players, including probably the tallest in the league...we have very little height to speak of. A well taken corner presented a free header and there was nothing that the keeper could do to save.
Unfortunately we are still suffering from indecision in the final third and let several good chances go to waste, without really threatening the opposition goal.
Shortly after the break, the injured gian rennalls(who shouldn't have been playing) was replaced by Frank Cini in an attempt to put more pressure in on the Horsley defence. To be fair the change made little difference.
The second Horsley goal came from the defence failing to get clear after having, yet again, stolen the ball from the Horsley strikers in our own penalty area.
This was probably due to fatigue as they had worked so hard all afternoon. The late addition of Joe Cutajar from the bench to bolster the back 3 seemed to have little effect but the loss of an attacking mid-fielder to make space for him did reduce even further our ability to press the Horsley defence.
The goal by Kieran McLeary (pictured) came at about 75 mins when the attacking players finally got the message to lay the ball out to the edge of the area for a superb strike...if only they would do that more often.
We did have second attempt cleared off the line..but there was no real belief that it may have crossed....close though.
Overall I believe we have 3 lessons to learn.
1/ We must work on defending set pieces
2/ We must be more decisive in front of goal
3/ The mid-field must drop to assist the defence when needed and must show to receive the ball when the defenders have it.
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