Title afar after average Allstars lose to TPR
TPR vs Gower Allstars match report 26-04-09
TPR 6 Allstars 4
The Allstars arrived at Whittington Park to play a TPR side recently and comprehensively beaten by the Phoenix - and knowing that a victory was all they needed to win them the league title.
There was an air of complacency from the outset amongst the whole team, that because they had won their previous 12 league games, this game was “gonna be a stroll”. How wrong they were.
Despite taking the lead through a Botterill volley from a cleared corner, the Allstars did not find their rhythm and there were holes in the middle of the park which TPR’s 5 man midfield were exploiting well.
TPR bounced back well, with some neat passing in front of the Gowers back four, and they found the net from a difficult shot for Paley to handle.
About two minutes later, a free shot from right of box was given to the TPR striker, after Gower failed to clear and then close down. The team watched helplessly as the shot found the back of the net and TPR took an unlikely lead.
With Blandy Botterill and Kelly upfront, the Allstars always felt it was just a matter of time before they bounced back, and the opportunity came when a beautiful angled pass from Ossack found Blandy at the far post and rising high, he glanced it like a pro into the corner of the net, leaving the keeper no chance.
2-2
HT
A gee up from the captain did not seem to do the trick because TPR seemed to come out for the 2nd half hungrier and with more energy that the Gowers. Their small and skilful midfielders were causing Gower some serious issues in the middle of midfield and soon enough the warning signs turned into real and present danger, when a fast mazy run from the halfway line by their midfielders, was not closed down, and he unleashed a bullet of a shot which found the roof of the net. A fine fine goal by anyone’s standards.
3-2 and it was time to find out if the Gowers had what it took to come from behind for a 2nd time and win the match.
Soon followed Gowers best spell of the match. Blandy causing big problems for the TPR defence, Ricky spurring on the midfield and Lol and Sav playing well at full back.
It lead to a good goal from Blandy beating his mean, reaching the by-line, crossing for a Kelly shot, which was deflected and Ricky finished hard and low underneath the keeper. 3-3.
After 65 mins, Gowers took the lead from a Blandy corner followed all the way by Glyn who headed in well to take the lead 4-3.
The Allstars would usually have been able to hold onto a lead – but TPR really pushed an average performing Gowers to their limits.
A free kick wide and 30 yards out was struck blissfully, and after shading Botterills shoulder, then went onto to bullet into the very corner of the net, to bring TPR level after 75 mins.
Game on.
Usually it would be Gowers who strode on – but the Gower magic was simply not there to rise up a gear. In fact it was TPR who could sense the tired legs, and low energy levels.
TPR got lucky when a horrific offside decision was allowed, and the TPR striker had time to turn toward goal, look at the linesman (a TPR substitute), then tap into the net. The referee later apologised for his huge mistake. If it can happen in a top premier league game, it can happen in Sunday football too.
Gowers misery was compounded when a static and tired defence allowed a through ball to find the striker who chipped over the on-rushing Paley, to complete the rout 6-4 it finished.
Never since I have been captain of Gower have we conceded 6 goals.
Yes we came up against a resurgent TPR side who played very well. Yes we had a grossly unfair offside decision. But these were not the reason we lost on Sunday. We lost because we did not play to our potential. We were disjointed at times. We did not communicate well enough. We were lazy for much of the game. We were quiet as a team. And were simply not hungry enough for the win. We did not do ourselves justice.
Had we all prepared properly, both mentally and physically, we would have won the game.
I take part blame for not organising a friendly in the last 3 weeks to keep the momentum and fitness flowing, but each of the team also need to accept responsibility for not putting in a performance worthy of champions.
We still have the title in our own hands. Redstar have to win every single one of their remaining 8 games. Redstar vs TPR is this Sunday 3rd May. But it may well come down to an almighty clash with Redstar to decide where the title ends up – whereas had we been on our game, we could have wrapped the whole premiership up yesterday, and concentrated on the MA cup for the double.
Frustrating yes, the 100% record has gone, but the double is still on. We need to focus harder, keep the fitness up and really want it. And I mean really want it. Think about this loss. Its not often we lose, and when we do, we need to think about why we lost, learn from it and make sure it doesn’t happen again. We are great team boys. We now need to prove it.
MOTM = Close call between Glyn, who led the defence gallantly, and Blandy, but you cannot award MOTM to a defender when the team concede 6 goals, so Blandy it is – for a menacing performance causing constant problems amongst the TPR defence, and scoring a perfect header.
TPR 6 Allstars 4
The Allstars arrived at Whittington Park to play a TPR side recently and comprehensively beaten by the Phoenix - and knowing that a victory was all they needed to win them the league title.
There was an air of complacency from the outset amongst the whole team, that because they had won their previous 12 league games, this game was “gonna be a stroll”. How wrong they were.
Despite taking the lead through a Botterill volley from a cleared corner, the Allstars did not find their rhythm and there were holes in the middle of the park which TPR’s 5 man midfield were exploiting well.
TPR bounced back well, with some neat passing in front of the Gowers back four, and they found the net from a difficult shot for Paley to handle.
About two minutes later, a free shot from right of box was given to the TPR striker, after Gower failed to clear and then close down. The team watched helplessly as the shot found the back of the net and TPR took an unlikely lead.
With Blandy Botterill and Kelly upfront, the Allstars always felt it was just a matter of time before they bounced back, and the opportunity came when a beautiful angled pass from Ossack found Blandy at the far post and rising high, he glanced it like a pro into the corner of the net, leaving the keeper no chance.
2-2
HT
A gee up from the captain did not seem to do the trick because TPR seemed to come out for the 2nd half hungrier and with more energy that the Gowers. Their small and skilful midfielders were causing Gower some serious issues in the middle of midfield and soon enough the warning signs turned into real and present danger, when a fast mazy run from the halfway line by their midfielders, was not closed down, and he unleashed a bullet of a shot which found the roof of the net. A fine fine goal by anyone’s standards.
3-2 and it was time to find out if the Gowers had what it took to come from behind for a 2nd time and win the match.
Soon followed Gowers best spell of the match. Blandy causing big problems for the TPR defence, Ricky spurring on the midfield and Lol and Sav playing well at full back.
It lead to a good goal from Blandy beating his mean, reaching the by-line, crossing for a Kelly shot, which was deflected and Ricky finished hard and low underneath the keeper. 3-3.
After 65 mins, Gowers took the lead from a Blandy corner followed all the way by Glyn who headed in well to take the lead 4-3.
The Allstars would usually have been able to hold onto a lead – but TPR really pushed an average performing Gowers to their limits.
A free kick wide and 30 yards out was struck blissfully, and after shading Botterills shoulder, then went onto to bullet into the very corner of the net, to bring TPR level after 75 mins.
Game on.
Usually it would be Gowers who strode on – but the Gower magic was simply not there to rise up a gear. In fact it was TPR who could sense the tired legs, and low energy levels.
TPR got lucky when a horrific offside decision was allowed, and the TPR striker had time to turn toward goal, look at the linesman (a TPR substitute), then tap into the net. The referee later apologised for his huge mistake. If it can happen in a top premier league game, it can happen in Sunday football too.
Gowers misery was compounded when a static and tired defence allowed a through ball to find the striker who chipped over the on-rushing Paley, to complete the rout 6-4 it finished.
Never since I have been captain of Gower have we conceded 6 goals.
Yes we came up against a resurgent TPR side who played very well. Yes we had a grossly unfair offside decision. But these were not the reason we lost on Sunday. We lost because we did not play to our potential. We were disjointed at times. We did not communicate well enough. We were lazy for much of the game. We were quiet as a team. And were simply not hungry enough for the win. We did not do ourselves justice.
Had we all prepared properly, both mentally and physically, we would have won the game.
I take part blame for not organising a friendly in the last 3 weeks to keep the momentum and fitness flowing, but each of the team also need to accept responsibility for not putting in a performance worthy of champions.
We still have the title in our own hands. Redstar have to win every single one of their remaining 8 games. Redstar vs TPR is this Sunday 3rd May. But it may well come down to an almighty clash with Redstar to decide where the title ends up – whereas had we been on our game, we could have wrapped the whole premiership up yesterday, and concentrated on the MA cup for the double.
Frustrating yes, the 100% record has gone, but the double is still on. We need to focus harder, keep the fitness up and really want it. And I mean really want it. Think about this loss. Its not often we lose, and when we do, we need to think about why we lost, learn from it and make sure it doesn’t happen again. We are great team boys. We now need to prove it.
MOTM = Close call between Glyn, who led the defence gallantly, and Blandy, but you cannot award MOTM to a defender when the team concede 6 goals, so Blandy it is – for a menacing performance causing constant problems amongst the TPR defence, and scoring a perfect header.
posted by Gower FC @ 12:12 AM
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