Match Report
15 December 201314:00:00
Blackwater & Dengie League - Div 2
Starting Line-up
Subs Used
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This week Blaze were down to only 9 players due to sickness and various Xmas party engagements so we were not too disappointed to hear that Tiptree only had 8. How many times has it been said that 10 men (or 8 in Tiptree's case) are difficult to play against as the guys on the pitch fight harder? So it proved today.
It was wet and windy but 17 players turned up today and did their managers proud. Blaze had the vast majority of the possession and dominated territorily on a heavy pitch despite playing uphill in H1. The Blaze lads tried to play football and there was probably more passing than we had seen in any match to date. Thomas shook the woodwork with an early effort but Blaze struggled to really test the Tiptree keeper in the first half. Tiptree, largely playing on the break with one man up, took the lead against the run of play with a well worked effort from the angle that lobbed over Harris' head.
However, at HT we knew we could win the game playing with the slope in H2 if the lads continued in the same vein. They did, but Tiptree are a well organised side with a strong defence and despite pushing more lads forward, Blaze could not find the opening. At times it was like watching Arsenal as Blaze tried one pass too many rather than shooting but credit to the Tiptree lads who tackled, fought and closed down as if their lives depended on it. Blaze threatened throughout as Tiptree rarely got out of their own half but every save their keeper made was comfortable.
It is always going to be very disappointing to lose to any team with only 8 players but today both managers could not have asked for much more from their players.