Camden Redstar vs Gower Allstars - match report

Despite two early lovely combination goals between the Gower strikers with Blandy feeding Botterill who finished sublimely on both occasions, the Allstars struggled throughout their most crucial 90 minutes of the season against a physical, skilful and overall more dominant Redstar 11, in 25C beaming sunshine at Market Road.

Having drafted in two semi-professionals – at centre back and at striker – Redstar had their strongest 11 of the season and it began to show from as early as 20 mins in.

The striker began to terrorise Lawrence for pace and skill down the wing and whipped in some lovely inviting crosses for Junior, his partner upfront – luckily for Gower, Ossack and the other defenders just about cleared their lines to keep the score at 2-0.

Allstars should have had an opportunity for a third, when Botts was brought down from behind in the box, and somehow the referee nor linesman gave it. Could have been a different game had that gone the Gowers way.

But it was Redstar, who came out for the 2nd half, gunning for some Allstars blood. Despite a swap of full backs with Ossack marking the dangerous striker, it made no difference as attack after attack, penetrated the usually reliable Gower defence – reaching the by-line, chipping across to the on-coming Redstar midfielders and strikers, and creating genuine goal-scoring opportunities.

The break through for redstar came when a great shot from Arthur on the edge of the box found the bottom right hand corner. And a comfortable two goal lead, was halved, with serious pressure to come.

The Allstars were compounding their own problems, by continually giving the ball in possession and not playing the simple 5 yard pass. They were being over-run in midfield and not helping themselves, by playing the wrong chip, or long ball, and then giving possession straight back to Redstar, to drive forward time after time at the vulnerable Allstars defence.

And it was only a matter of time before Redstar found the equaliser – which came from a mistake from Jonny, who tried a switch ball, on the edge of his own box – giving possession away, and the ball ending up in the back of the net.

This was not a recognisable Gower side. Panicking on the ball. Clearing without thinking – not giving the attackers any form of service. The Gowers simply could not beat a man nor pass more than three consecutive times, throughout the entire 2nd half.

Another suspect decision by the pernickety referee, gave advantage to Redstar when a flick on header found Junior on the goal-line – but it wasn’t given offside as the flick-on apparently came off a Gower back – but the ref could not point out which Gower?

3-2 down and the Allstars had to respond.

But the problem was, to Redstars credit, they were too consumed with defending.

Roger and Ricky could not keep their foot on the ball, and the attacking play from the wingers was anonymous – which gave the strikers no service whatsoever.

The Allstars were crying out for someone to put their foot on the ball and dictate the play. But it did not arrive.

Their fate was sealed when a good shot from 20 yards, was followed up by junior who made the final score 4-2 to Redstar.

A crushing defeat, to a Gower Allstars side, who were despite trying hard were essentially out-played, out-maneouvred, and out-fought – by a bigger stronger, and on the day more skilful side.

Whether the Allstars now win the league depends on whether Redstar get maximum points from their remaining 5 games (two of which are being played as double-headers) – Outback, Virgin (DH) and Crown & Goose (DH). The dates of the games are yet to be confirmed. They cannot drop one point but if Redstar play like they did on Sunday, they will walk it. If they play like they did against Phoenix, then there is a chance.

What is wrong - is that Redstar could end up playing only 12 league games (4 games of which would have been against teams who would not have played for 2 months) and then win the league, having lost one and drawn one. Allstars would have played two more, 14 and lost two. Is that fair? I think not. So I am writing to the president of the league to see what can be done.

But regardless of that, the Allstars should have wrapped this league up, by winning at least one of our last two matches. We have been unrecognisable in the last two games. Is it lack of preparation? Lack of effort? Or is it complacency? It is certainly not lack of ability.

Whatever the cause, Sundays result highlighted that on their day Redstar can be the best team in the league. As was demonstrated at UCS on grass in March, the Gower Allstars on their day can also be the best.

Who comes out as Champions, as true winners, all depends on who performs with the most consistency throughout the year. The 12 previous wins earlier in the season, are likely to now mean nothing because of these last two losses.

That is the harsh reality.

What can we do about it?

Avenge defeat this coming Sunday. Change of tactics. Of mentality. And finish off the season with a bang. Same time, same place, same opposition – in the semi-finals of the MA cup.

Going out in style – playing the way we know how. Physically AND Mentally strong.

Take on board what has been said here in this report especially these two quotes:-

"Winning is great, sure, but if you are really going to do something in life, the secret is learning how to lose. Nobody goes undefeated all the time. If you can pick up after a crushing defeat, and go on to win again, you are going to be a champion again."

“I have been wounded but not yet slain. I shall lie here and bleed awhile. Then I shall rise and fight again. The title of champion may from time to time fall to others more than ourselves. But the heart, the spirit, and the soul of champions remains in...... Gower!”

Believe it Gowers. As i believe in you.