Gowers lined up Chelski style 4-5-1 with Mitchell sitting in front of the back four, Durrant, Street and Duggan in a three in front of him with Klinger playing left side just behind the striker Kelly.
The formation worked really well, right from the opening whistle. But it was the superb battling, composure and communication that led to the Gowers dominating the opposition. Chances galore soon developed, throughout the first half. Excellent work from Klinger (in the Robben role) who was in space on the left, created us lots of action and chances, but it was Streets fine example of a Lampard impression in midfield, that was the highlight of a first half in which Gowers pummelled their opponents. Duggan bullet header, just missed the post, Kelly’s one on one lob was anticipated by the keeper, but the domination was such that we felt a goal had to come.
Durrant’s superhuman throws eventually paid off, when his throw was heading directly into the goal, keeper parried it and Streety was there to nod in.
1-0 Gower – not the prettiest, but the all-important lead, after teaching Ultramarine how to play football. End of first half.
To their credit Ultramarine came out with a different intensity in the 2nd half.
Gowers weren’t on the ball as much as the first half, and Ultrarmarine started to play the ball through the midfield like any side should.
Not that any real chances were forthcoming from Ultra, as our defence was so strong, and organised throughout, including Renton in goal.
This has been a real strength for us this season. Knowing that there are very few errors at the back, if any at all, gives the midfield the security to know that, should the team go off the boil for a period, the opposition have to do something pretty special or freakish to score against us. A credit to all the back four.
Once we rode the Ultra storm, Gowers again began to string some good passing together, switching the plays, and using the important channels.
Great chances inevitably materialised, but none were put away by the likes of Klinger, Kelly and Durrant – some of which were due to some ridiculously good saves by their keeper.
It began to become very frustrating, watching these missed opportunities to kill off the game, but it just didn’t happen
Time ticked on, Gowers still comfortable especially Ossack at the back.
Ultra only had 2 or 3 chances the whole game to talk about, and Gower must have had 10 or 12.
And it was in the final 30 seconds, that Gower conceded a corner, on which all the tall Ultra boys, came up for the final play of the game.
Corner came onto 6 yard box, Renton tried to punch into a crowd of players, got a touch on it, it was hooked back in to the mix, Ultra player shot, hit Chittenden on the line, his defensive rebound fell to their player 3 yards in front of goal, who swiped it in.
1-1
Absolute first class sickness.
Rarely have I been lost for words to my team mates, but when the final whistle blew 20 seconds later, I was.
Gowers put in a performance to be proud of. Everyone us had a good game. Especially Mitchell on his comeback, in a unfamiliar role, Klinger always a threat, and Duggan and Street running the shop from the midfield.
But it was plain and simple, why we didn’t win this one today. The old adage of not putting away your chances. You cant afford to miss…. 3 ……well-created….. one on ones in any game, no matter when your only 1-0 up.
We all know there is always that threat of a freak last minute equaliser. And it hit us on Sunday, where it hurts.
But you know what, it aint all bad boys. We bounced back perfectly from last weeks disappointment, playing some stylish stuff at times, and never really being troubled at the back. We haven’t been beaten yet in the league, and we are still in pole position.
Learn from this, make damn sure it doesn’t happen again, and look forward to next week, when we can play some great stuff again and really make it count.
MOTM = Robin Street – not only best engine on the pitch, but consistently played some uncharacteristically wonderful passes and through-balls, and scored to top it all off. Exceptional performance.
