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Accies Beaten But Far from down
Harrow 0 – Xchange 4
Last nights game saw the mighty Accies fielding an impressive looking side of mature players and the speed and pace of a number of younger players. Prematch the atmosphere was charged with the prospect of picking up some well overdue points. With this in mind the game started with a fast pace and saw the Accies burst forward from the kick off with a well worked move down the right wing. Sadly this was not to last, with the Xchange fielding a much improved side who quickly replied with a swift counter attack which nearly ended in an early goal. Harrow not deterred attacked again, Matt R found himself in uncharted territory two thirds up field and dizzy with excitement fired a venomous first time shot, narrowly missing the floodlights.
The Xchange continued to get a further hold on the game, creating themselves a number of chances keeping Bird busy. With this sustained pressure Xchange eventually found the back of the net with a combination of quick passing from midfield and a well struck shot to beat the goalie at the far post. Not deterred Harrow battled on but found making progress up pitch difficult. Even the bowl of cheesy bites that Keew provided couldn’t tempt Wisey to the net !
Xchange were quick to counter at every opportunity and soon found the back of the net again, and almost had a third within minutes of kick off, if it were not for the crunching tackle Matt R made within the Accies area after chasing the Xchange striker for 25 yards having beaten our high defensive line. But shortly before half time the Xchange scored their third, due to a defensive error by John G. which left most players in the area stunned except the Xchange player who connected on the other end of the “dummy” move across the face of goal and duly rifled the ball into the net. (Sorry lads, those damn voices in my head. Must get more pills)
Half time came as a welcome respite for the Accies and an opportunity to reflect. Some wise words from Andy H and Wisey (maybe read from a toilet wall in downtown Bangkok) ensured the Accies entered round 2 to do battle, and battle everyone did. Gordon, Jonny Bell and Paul all had a fantastic second half getting stuck into the Xchange big lads in the middle and soon had them rattled, this released some pressure on the defence allowing Chopper on the left and Natt on the right opportunity to push up and support the midfield. Out on the wings Chris Bell and Andy H. both worked hard up and down the pitch and provided some quality crosses into the box, but sadly as in the first half, failure to convert these chances prevented the Accies from truly controlling play.
Xchange were creating less and less by now (partly due to the fact they kept kicking the ball AT chopper… sorry, I meant to say Chopper was truly awesome and intercepted everything down the left flank) and with the clock running down the Wisey changed tactics to three at the back releasing the “goal machine” Paul up front to link up with the strikers Pub and Max.
However within minutes the Accies found themselves picking the ball out of their net once more, although it could be said it was against the run of play at that time.
Everyone battled hard to the final whistle, which was some 15 minutes premature, maybe the ref sensing our inevitable come back?
Whilst the opposition was not the best we have faced to date, and we didn’t play well enough to win. The defeat of 4-0 came as a bitter pill to swallow, but the post match beer over the road was an inspiration, with all players being able to talk such a good game using empty beer bottles and pots of chilli, this league will be ours.
Bring it on next week, let’s make this one worth the fuzzy head in the morning !
Once again many thanks to Keew for transport too and from matches.
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