Errors cost YDS!

As is becoming the norm, the YDS were forced to field yet another different combination of players due to others being unavailable or going to the Reserves.

Arriving at a rescheduled venue of Pollard Park to play a 3 Kings Sea Cows team just below us on goal difference, the YDS were without both Roddy and Dylan up front. Consequently, replacements had to be found and this was provided by Shane and Jason Oliver, together with Thomas McKee who was fresh from playing for the Reserves.

Kicking off, we started well and looked comfortable on the ball and had 3 Kings on the ropes. However, the spark did not appear to be there this week and although we had plenty of possession, we were unable to break through. Infact, as the first half progressed, we actually got worse, with silly little errors coming into our game. Passes were not going to our players, marking was a problem and there was a distinct lack of communication. Then, with 3 Kings first real attack, we failed to close down in midfield and allowed the Kings forward the chance to shoot from distance. Unfortunately, it was a beautiful shot that flew over Ryan and into the top left corner. I could see from the side that once the player hit it, then Ryan stood no chance and suddenly, against the run of play, we were 1-0 down! That's how the first half ended and so we attempted to steady the ship and induce some passion.

Kicking off the second half, we initially showed some nice touches and looked like we would score and come back into the came with both Harrison and Shane Moody going close. However, for the second time, we failed to close 3 Kings down on the edge of our area and paid for it and a shot flew past Ryan's left hand and crept inside the post. 2-0 down and heads were starting to drop. Infact, if it wasn't for Ryan pulling off 3 outstanding saves from close range, the scoreline could have been much worse. Unfortunately it was not long for us to go 3-0 down as we lost possession in our defence, gifting it to the Kings player who put it past Ryan. Worse was to happen as we lost Dale and Jason with Achilles injuries and then Scott Withers took a knock on his sore ankle and he was out. Finally, with a few minutes remaining we conceded a corner. With 3 defenders looking like statues, up jumps a Kings forward and buries the ball in the back of our net with a fine header to make the final score 4-0.

3 Kings Sea Cows appear to have become our bogey side as last season we played them twice and played the worst football of our season. Likewise, it has to be said that we did not deserve to win this game and have to admit we were very poor by our own standards. However, although we were punished for our mistakes, we can take some cheer in the fact that when we did play football, it was attractive and we stretched the opposition. Individual players now know where they went wrong and what they need to do to improve. Consequently, the YDS will take this as a lesson, hopefully learn and improve for the next time! 

Man of the match went to Ryan for some great saves that kept the score down. Thanks again to Shane and Jason Oliver and Thomas McKee for helping us out and to the supporters that came down. Next week we have the chance to show our true skills when we take on 3 Kings Dunas at Massey Park KO 1pm.