Courageous Scorpions just fall short

Our first road trip of the new season saw us travel to SWF to take on arguably the strongest team in the Blackwater division.

Fresh from our victory last week the boys seemed up for the match but after 1 minute we were caught cold and the Panthers made their intentions clear with a through ball straight down the middle finding their striker for a neat finish. The closing down was poor and we knew instantly we could not give this team time on the ball.

The blues were looking tentative but some nice play between Jake B and Mason saw us create our first chance after 5 minutes, with Mason getting a shot away that the keeper saved.

The next ten minutes were far more competitive with a lot of personal battles emerging all over the pitch. It was a feisty encounter with the two teams keen to not give any ground. Jake M was working very hard defensively on the wing against the leggy number 12 and Poyraz and Caspar were putting in some tasty challenges at the back. Jake B was proving a good outlet making some great runs down the left giving the Panthers plenty to think about.

Unfortunately the Scorpions found themselves 2-0 down after 17 mins, the dangerous number 12 bursting through and tucking away a simple finish. The Scorpions had worked hard but the quality in the final third from the Panthers was proving the difference.

The Scorpions did not let their heads drop and were playing the ball around the pitch far more than usual which was really encouraging. Jake B and Jake M combined well and it was Jake M with a pot shot from distance which the keeper dealt with comfortably. More attacking play from the blues saw them win a few corners and although the deliveries were very good we just couldn't get a head on the ball.

The blues ended the half really strongly and the only thing missing from the first half was a deserved goal, but at the break we were trailing 2-0 with it all to do.

At half time the boys were encouraged to keep going. Everyone was playing for the sporting badge and the determination was obvious. A few "suspect" decisions that went against us seemed to rile the boys and all were ready and determined to get out for the second half.

The second half however started well for the Panthers with Tor making an outstanding double save to keep the Scorpions in the match. It was decided after that we needed a bit more pace and presence in the middle of the pitch, so Poyraz was moved into a DM position with Lucas Caspar and George rotating in defence.

That seemed to work well as Poyraz saw more of the ball and broke up play. That allowed Jake B, Patrick and Conner to see more of the ball up the pitch which pushed the Panthers back. We kept trying to play good football and finally all our hard was was rewarded when a whack from Caspar came back off the keeper for Jake B to slot home 1-2 and GAME ON!

The blues continued to dominate, Mason with 3 excellent efforts, 2 hitting the woodwork and another effort saved by the keeper. Patrick had a shot that was also saved. The Panthers were always dangerous on the break and a brave clearance from Caspar epitomised the effort. A really entertaining and high quality game which ended 2-1.

Although we lost today we can take a lot of encouragement from the way we played. The Panthers are a very strong team who dominate a lot of their opposition and today we made things very difficult for them. It was hard to be our attacking fluid selves but we made good chances by passing the ball around more and everyone had their heads up looking for those final balls. We played as a team and fought as a team and if not for some very tough 50/50 decisions going against us we may well have got a better result. The second half in particular was was really good from us and we need to keep that momentum going into our next match.

? of the match - Poyraz

In the first half Poyraz and Caspar were immense at the back. They put their bodies on the line and really dug deep to keep the Panthers at bay. Although we conceded two goals sometimes you have to accept good play from the opposition. In the second half we asked Poyraz to play slightly more forward and to use his pace and strength to stop the ball coming through our spine. He did that brilliantly and the game completely turned when we nullified their threat through the middle.

The whole team really worked hard today, every single player did well but that determination from Poyraz as well as his work ethic got him the nod. Well done.