Sassco are beginning to played a refined version of the Dutch “Total Football” system.
Refined as in they do what the f**k they want sometimes. We were missing a few. Steve Conlin was on work experience with his school (cheers for that one Simon). While Tim and Dixon were both injured. Marky Middlemiss was roped into working. There were returns for Campbell, Mr. Murton and Anth Pearson (who refused to come on).
We started reasonably brightly. However, when the first goal was conceded, I remembered my last words in my much listened to team talk; “Don’t . . . give . . . away . . . corners . . .” Simon, under pressure from a long(ish) throw, nodded the ball out for the aforementioned corner and they headed it in. After this it was all the usual complaints:
- “Change the system”
- “We’re too high up the pitch”
- “We’re too deep on the pitch”
- “Get Muers off the pitch”
We settled after this and the game levelled out. We didn’t have clear cut chances, but were getting forward easily, but not releasing the ball quick enough. Eventually, Muers managed to scramble the ball into the net after their ‘keeper made an error.
I was planning to change things, namely getting Gourlay out of left back where he was “wasted” (private joke – you won’t get it) and into the middle. But decided against it. For the second half, a superb opening move nearly led to a goal, but Langan shocklingly lashed it over the bar when clean through. Both Greenwell and Murton missed excellent chances as well (one hit the post). We were punished. A long ball caught McConville fannying about and their player didn’t have any problems in looping the ball over Simma, who, incidentally, pulled off some astonishing saves throughout.
We applied pressure and when the ball landed at the feet of Langan, he made no mistake this time and we had equalised at 2-2. The scoring ended there, but in the last crazy ten minutes, we were camped in the box and each corner coming in was cleared off the line, tackled at the last minute or just badly scuffed. An error by Gourlay then saw The Saltgrass sprint up the field and nearly score if it wasn’t for Simpson. A scramble at our end, where a goal was certain, was smothered by Simpson.
A good game. My voice is hoarse after spending the game slagging Macca off. Rumours are currently flying about around Macca and Langan leaving. The rumour mill is full drive when it comes to Sassco.
Oh, and I lost a f**king ball again. Some moron kicked it behind the goal and didn’t retrieve it. Will be bringing a f**king tennis ball for all away games now.
