Pipped at the Post

Queensway 3-1 Smallbrook

After impressing in their last match, Smallbrook FC made the short trip to Dawley to take on Queensway, sitting in mid table with 2 wins and 1 defeat from 3 games. Smallbrook FC travelled with their strongest squad available and were playing on a grass pitch for the first time this season.

The game started very evenly with decent chances to open the scoring falling to both sides. The best chance fell to Connor who beat a couple of players and went 1v1 with the goalkeeper, narrowly putting the chance wide of the post, much to the dismay of the vocal Smallbrook supporters. Against the run of play, as is so often the case for Smallbrook FC this season, Queensway opened the scoring with a scrappy goal that deceived Harvey in the Smallbrook goal. Undeterred, Smallbrook continued to put the pressure on and kept on creating chances but it was hard work for the lone striker Connor.

Coming in at half time Smallbrook were encouraged by the number of chances that were being created. Lauren decided to roll the dice and went with 2 defenders and gave Connor some help upfront, moving Rio from the No.10 role into a more natural centre forward. The change worked immediately when Rio poked home from close range to draw Smallbrook level. The change in shape was really working and it was all Smallbrook for the next 15 minutes, creating chance after chance but due to a combination of poor footwear and technique, Smallbrook couldn’t find that 2^nd goal.

With 5 minutes to go and Smallbrook still pushing hard for our first win of the season, they were hit with the sucker punch of conceeding a well worked goal against the run of play, they found lots of space at the far post and finished well. Smallbrook got the ball back quickly and continued to flood forward for another goal to rescue something from the game. Queensway’s captain hit a high ball from near the halfway line which hit the crossbar and bounced down to a Queensway player who made it 3-1.

Our first win was so close and we were hit with 2 fortunate goals against the run of play. Without a doubt Smallbrook were the better team and didn’t deserve to lose, especially so late in the game.

Queensway nominated player of the match: Harvey

Smallbrook FC player of the match: Jayden