Truss the Process 2: Electric Boogaloo
GPR 0 Brady 3
We previously played Brady shortly after a lettuce graciously outlasted Liz Truss, and as any patriot would do we attributed our article to her name. This week was more Sunak at the back as a fierce attacking display and an individual error saw the travelling team progress to the next round of (whatever cup it is this time). Fortunately for us, that is where the comparison ends as, unlike the man himself, we do at least have a backbone, and can take plenty of comfort from defeat. Although the final result was probably justified, the lads settled for a pint at the club house in good spirits and a firm belief that on another day our hard work would have reaped more reward.
The first ten minutes were in our favour. Despite some scrappy play, as is the Sunday League custom, we threatened with a killer frontline of Matty, Rory and Jeff. The latter posed a constant danger to their high back line every time the ball entered the opposition half. It was this fantastic threat that would lead poor Jeff to tear his hamstring. GPR loves a milestone, and Jeff’s pleas to play through said injury must have been a first for anybody. As it was, we shifted formation (not that anyone on the pitch knew, sorry lads that one’s on me) and in the changeover, Brady’s quality players began to shine. As they pressed with high wing backs, we defended our box well, but with around 15 minutes before the break, a long high ball bounced in no man’s land, and their striker did brilliantly to chip Greg and open the game up. Shortly afterwards, a scintillating run from the marauding wing back broke through our back line and fizzed the ball in for a tap in.
2-0 at half time then, but the boys were playing well. We knew that it would be a tough fixture, but we can use last year’s game as a benchmark and know that we were in it to win it as opposed to just being happy to be here. We’ve developed real conviction this year and its games like this - where the going gets tough - that it shines through. The key message was to keep our heads up. All this was made easier by some cracking home support who kept encouraging the lads throughout the game and never let us go quiet. We emerged as a force rejuvenated in the second half, albeit against a confident Brady whose midfield were spraying the ball with precision. The game was feeling pretty even with both sides threatening to threaten, but locked in a stalemate. Then, yet another injury - this time from Alan, who had a brilliant performance - forced a change. After all, it’s a cup tie, and with nothing to lose we went hell for leather and moved our top left back Sam into the attack. The move paid off immediately, with two quick successive chances down the flanks. We became more direct and forced Brady’s defence back a little. Then Sam’s quick feet darted into the box, and he was brought down for a penalty.
Sadly, we couldn’t convert. On a scuffed up pitch that was quickly becoming boggy the quality of shots from both sides had deteriorated, but I’ll never criticise anyone for stepping up to a task most shy away from. Rory has been our saviour in so many fixtures and will be again for many to come, and we’ll all stand behind him for the next one. The momentum of the game shuffled back slightly towards Brady’s favour after this, who had started to look a little uneasy on the break. But, true to form, another injury was due. This time from Matty, whose high pressing forced the defender into a clearance. It smacked his face head on, but he zeroed in on goal, only to be called back for a handball for his efforts. As the adrenaline went down, he began clutching his jaw and struggled to move easily. Play continued, however, and Brady won a corner as a result. Finally Matty made his way off, but a scrappy ordeal in the box pushed the ball into one of Brady’s lads, and he placed it in the corner to kill the game. We weren’t happy, but when all is said and done I would rather focus on the lads’ response.
In games gone by, conceding one goal - even when we were ahead - would lead heads to drop and a breakdown in communication. But there was none of that this week. The lads kept running and battling to the death, and it’s impossible not to be proud at our resilience and spirit to the end. Overall, there were plenty of positives to take away. Ossie made a long overdue return from injury, and Cedou had a great second game for the club, barring a truly horrific foul throw. Adam was fantastic for the full 90, playing beyond expectations of both quality and fitness at both full back positions. Sam proved yet again that he is effective at each end of the pitch. The midfield kept great structure for most of the game, but special praise has to be reserved for Doug, whose tireless running for the full game shows his progress and credibility in the middle of the park for the mighty Salads. We have three more games until Christmas, thankfully all in the league, and we’ll be looking to put together a good run to secure our position in the table. Trust the process, the only way is forward.
MOTM 🤌 = Doug. He’s followed his brother’s footsteps and developed into a real leader for the team when we need it.
DOTD 💀 = Cedou for the foul throw, and for his, shall we say, reluctant approach to being a linesman. Jack T’s shinpads.
