Not what we wanted

Whickham Fellside at home today, and they made themselves at home.

For 2 seasons they've given us great games and they always, always ended in a draw.

Pre-season with Washy United unleashing the beasts, we played Whickham and won. All down to simple passing and moving and loads of talking.

Today, on a crisp slightly windy, almost bitter Saturday morning amidst the Autumnal trees, we arrived to find Whickham in full flow or warm ups and drills.

For once, we had a lie in which was probably to our detriment.

Warm ups done, and the referee starts the match.

Into the flow of the game and we quickly found out that inbetween our passes, there was a Whickham player ready to intercept. They were on us.

Now as we retreated at speed (and power (Finn)) into our box, deeper into our penalty area one of their players went down, resulting in a penalty against us. Taken well, Whickham take the lead...0-1.

Boo hiss went the crowd.

Heads up, we played on and we were drowning in yellow. Jake, being as masterful as he is on the ball was surrounded by 6 of their players, no chance of getting through.

Screams from the coaches to wake up, tell each other where they were, but Whickham had us.

Coming to the end of the first half we...survived!

Half time team talk identified gaps and weaknesses. Take note, listen, take it on board. Use the first half defeat as a strength.

Second half kicks off and within 8 minutes Whickham take their second goal. What? Yeah, their second. 0-2.

6 minutes after that, another. 0-3.

Disappointed looks on the crowd and even more so on the lads faces.

Whickhams keeper is short and today was left untested.

So we stepped it up, the half time words sinking in and we started to play, pass and pretty much spending the last 20 minutes pressing into Whickhams half all down to the high line we created.

Goal kicks from Whickham were taken by one of their defenders and they were consistently short - we learned that quickly and held a high line.

We had corners and free kicks, but nothing came from them.

That is until Jase took one corner and it went straight in. 1-3.

Finally!

We continued with the pressing and some simple, effective passing. The last 20 minutes made up for the 60 minutes of embarrassing play (in being honest, it was and this was NOT how the Blues play).

Maybe a glitch in the matrix today, maybe the lie in meant the lads stayed up later the night before, maybe it just wasn't meant to be.

Whatever the reason, we'll fix it. We'll learn.

And it's onto the next.

You win some, you lose some and next time we'll give them better!

#NeverGiveUp