THREES STOP THE ROT

Whoop.

Quite frankly, I'm blinking delighted. Consecutive losses in a row before this one = seven. The web page showing the dreaded red L - Ended. The beleaguered and battered threes troops have something to smile about! Something that their hard work and dedication deserve. But, and unfortunately there is a but (a big BUT), but - they should have had all three points, so it's not all roses and chocolates.

It all started so well for the threes. Early chances, and plenty of possession. It took less than 5 minutes for the game to enter it's pattern - dominant Blackheath territory - and a few more minutes for Blackheath to deservedly go one-nil up. The goal coming after some good work from the skipper (yes me!!) getting into the D and forcing a save from the keeper being excellently mopped up by David Collington in front of goal to deservedly give us the lead.

From then on however, the threes were very wasteful. Several times we would see the threes encamped in the opposition 23. At times nearly all 10 outfield players that high up. On countless occasions, the excellent Eddy Forshaw would create space for the backs, and the big hit into the D would be wasted or fluffed. Viewing the play from the back is difficult at times, but from where I stood it seemed like we were encamped in their D but inevitably the ball would flash wide, or there would be a goal mouth scramble and the ball would be cleared, or indeed we would just give up easy possession to one of their very experienced defenders. I think the phrase "lacking a bit of composure" sums it up nicely, as all we needed to do was slow it down and get our shots away.

At this point, I must also admit that it wasn't quite as one-sided as it sounds from above; despite the domination of possession and territory, at times Holcombe would also look dangerous. Particularly on short corners. They did have a couple in the first half; one only just whizzing past the post, the other being excellently cleared.

All in all though, it was definitely Blackheath's half, and the boys would be disappointed not to have been at least 3 up at the break.

We weren't however, and the pressure began to tell early in the second half. Play just became a bit more ragged. A couple of missed aerial pick ups, and a few fluffed passes which wasn't happening in the first half meant that we were creating pressure for ourselves when there wasn't any, and, ultimately, it would be a short corner eventually that would be our undoing. The shot fizzed into the top left hand corner from a drag flick. Defenders and Keeper = no chance, although if Rhys Edwards had decided not to duck and instead took one in the face, Roman may have saved the stroke. Commitment needed here Rhys - these are desperate times.

The 3s bounced back well from this setback however, and scored a wonderful goal about 10 minutes later when David Collington wriggled free and found the back stick for Nick Surry to pop in - it was actually a very good goal and a great finish. More than deserved judging by the pattern of the game! Some great character as well, which hasn't been lacking this year! Chances would continue to follow as well, and indeed Nick Surry could have made it 3-1 with a glorious chance. Alas it would go wide, and at 2-1 you never knew what would happen.

And so, as so often happens, it would be an error which would cost us. The excellent Eddy Forshaw losing possession in his own half allowing a 2 on 1. Roman will be disappointed that the effort was not saved, but you would have fancied the forward to score with the amount of time he had, and he duly did.

Sometimes, when you don't have the luck, you don't have the luck, and despite a fierce last 10 minutes, a draw it would be.

So - we got a point. Yes, I'm happy because Holcombe were a dangerous team, and are pretty high up the table, but we have to have a winning mentality. Not one where we get nervous being ahead. The game was there to be won, and we didn't quite do that.

What it means is that we have an absolutely massive 6 pointer this weekend against Burnt Ash. Who knows what will happen/what sort of team they will put out. But we have to build on this boys and give it everything. We will. We're up for it. Everyone thinks we're rubbish but we don't care.... Let's hunker down and get this thing done.

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