Hats off to Threave

Posted on Sunday, February 10th, 2013

On the back of our 3-2 win over Threave Rovers yesterday, it’s exciting to have a semi-final vs. ‘The Welfare’ in the South Challenge Cup to look forward too. Before then, we have ‘big game’ after big game on the horizon.

Threave produced an excellent 2nd half performance yesterday, pushing us all the way from a 0-3 deficit at half-time. It would unfair and too simplistic to say that collectively we simply switched off and lowered our work-rate….it would also be hugely disrespectful to a capable and proud Threave side and Manager (also supporters who travelled up for the game) who simply refused to lie down.

The goal attempt statistics show that despite the dip in performance level post half-time, in the 2nd half we had 10+ goal attempts, unfortunately, we didn’t convert any on the day and put the game to bed. However, it is extremely pleasing to note just how often we are giving ourselves opportunities to score. Our first half performance was very good yesterday, at times excellent…any Manager or Coach will tell you that it’s always good to score early, to get on the front foot and dominate the early exchanges.

I read with interest this morning Gus Poyet response to Steve Bruce remarks following Brighton’s 1-0 win over Hull last night….namely that the game is played over 90 mins. Gus states the obvious, but he also highlights the fact that sometimes we can focus our thoughts on how a game ended…on the 2nd half alone….perhaps more so than the first 45 minutes and/or the game as a whole.

A Sunday is always a day for a more balanced reflection on the game played the day before. We have maintained our unbeaten start to 2013 and started to knit together another unbeaten run….plus, there is lots of positives to take away from the game e.g. Cloudy played well and looked sharp, Whatley was excellent and Sivvy superb in defence…it was a spine which provided us with a platform to win on the day.

Yesterday was a reminder of just how difficult it is to win football matches. Vital lessons have been banked and the focus is once again on looking forward…..looking forward with excitement to a trip to Peffermill Playing Fields for another tough test against EUAFC.