Sun 16th Jan KO 2:00PM

Oswald Road v AFC Urmston Meadowside Eagles

We knew before hand that this fixture was going to be tough going. We had played Oswald Road a while back, a friendly so we kind of knew what to expect. We asked the lads to raise their game for this one, if they wanted to get anything from it then this was the order of the day.

Subs: Andy, Eoin, Clevon

First Half:
Eagles attack from the off, but are soon defending attack after attack from Oswald Road. It was good end to end stuff, two attacks from Eagles replied with two attacks from Oswald Road and so it kept going, Oswald Road had the upper hand, as much as we were keeping them at bay all they were doing was probing for a weak spot or a lack of concentraction from one or two Eagles players and boom! They scored after 20 minutes. 1-0. After the restart, the end to end footy continued. It was Oswald Road who scored the next one, 2-0, down to sloppy defending from Eagles midfield and defence really. Another restart and Oswald Road attack, but, Eagles were getting closer and closer with their attacks and 10 mins to go to the half time whistle it was all Eagles! All we had to do is get the ball in the ^%$£!& net! But Oswald Road's keeper, goal posts and defenders were not going to let us!

Shots on Goal:
Oswald Road: 7
Eagles: 8

Drinks drunk, orange slices gobbled, and half time talk given, other than using the subs for fresh legs there was not a lot more we could do from the sidelines. It's up to the lads to prove they can work as a team on the pitch.

Second Half:
Eagles were much better in this half. Oswald Road looked flaky at times and could crumble at any moment. They nearly did when Eagles were awarded a penalty, Chris stepped up and shot but it was right down the keepers throat and he made an easy save! &*%^$£*!! Once again it was end to end football, a bit scrappy at times, way too many free kicks going to both sides, plenty of off sides and subs that slowed the game down. Overall, Eagles edged it in this half, but once again, shot after shot, header after header, we just could not get the ball in the net! Once again, Oswald Road keeper, goalposts and defenders did their jobs very well. Too well for our liking!

Summary:
We lost the game in the first half, we were not allowed to settle in to our game due to free kicks, off sides and substitutions etc. The second half performance was great, but we needed the same in the first half and that let us down. Lady luck was not on our side today, the ball could have been in the net 2 or 3 times if the ball hit the goalpost an inch nearer the goal! When we face a keeper and defence on form, we have to be more clinical with our finishing.
Next week is Urmston Town Panthers, a local derby playing against friends from school etc. Eagles, if you want anything from this fixture you all need to put in the performance, attitude and team work you had in the second half from today!

Shots on Goal:
Oswald Road: 6
Eagles: 9

Result: 2-0 (lost)