Epic Frustration in the Snow

This was one of the most frustrating games to watch that I can remember.

A determined threes team, coming off a pretty decent effort the week before were up for this one against a team level on points going in. We were more than capable of getting a result against a good, but beatable Ashford side. Yes, the weeks selection issues had hindered them. No willing umpire to travel, no recognised keeper, and a threadbare squad to say the least, but that didn't mean that the 3s were not capable of getting a result here.

Gobbler, the man, the legend, who had offered to step in at GK (big thanks to Sam Hannon for loaning the kit by the way) would turn from hero to villain, however, as things would transpire.

The threes started in the same formation as last week, a solid 4-3-3 system, and despite Browner, who was playing up front (not his usual position) dropping a bit too deep to pick up the ball at times, the first half was extremely competitive with the threes having chances (and failing to convert - a season long problem). There were some questionable umpiring decisions (in hindsight, I should have stepped in and umpired - despite already begging for two), but it would be a very even first half and the score would be goalless at half time.

All to play for. But, as with so many games this season the 3s would hit the self destruct button in a HUGE way during the next 35.

It started early, with a terrible goal. One of those horrible reverse fluff shots which deflects off a stick and leaves the keeper wrong footed. Only a couple of mins gone in the half as well. But these things happen, and I fully expected that we could compete, however, heads dropped. They really did. 10 minutes later, it was 2. A defensive error, saw a misplaced pass go straight to the opposition. 2-0.

Not out of it though - we were getting the ball forward, and the midfield 3 of the excellent David Broughton (well done for his MoM), Tom Cleall and David F (and Harry - who was rotating) were holding things steady and making things happen. This, in addition to Nick S up front was running his socks off, and Browner posting up excellently really led me to believe that things could change.

But - then - Kaboom - let's just lose our marbles even more. Gobbler would say something to the umpire about a decision, and he was off. A keeper yellow carded. Yes, it was a big decision, yes there hadn't been a green card beforehand, yes - from the looks of it you could and should argue. For sure, if I was umpiring, I would have got the green out in the first half to warn everyone about chat-back. But, we should not be chatting back. And, losing the GK really cost us.

Matt Wilde stepped up to play Kicking Back. We had half a mind to make Harry kit up, and make everyone get even colder than they were. But we as we were chasing the game, we had to go for it. However, it would cost us two goals as they got into the D and scored the first and broke away after our short corner to leave 6 on 3, and score another a few minutes later.

Late on, Browner came into midfield and Tom played very high. This seemed to work, and we started to create a bit more. Some great persistence saw Rob Miller get a goal on the back post as the opposition sat back, and we should have had a second at the death, but the umpire saw fit to blow for full time just as Nick S was taking a shot. Hmmmm.

A big big defeat, and a horrible way to lose. The GK getting yellowed didn't help for sure. But we were already 2-0 down. So perhaps it was inevitable. What can you say. We had chances in the first half to take the lead. Perhaps we should have, if we had it would have been different. The umpiring was tough, but bar that decision I wouldn't say it was the worst I have ever seen.

Tough one. A real tough one to take.