Royal went into the last night match of the season against the title favourites Tyersal on the back of 2 defeats. Again lots of changes were made patching together a team full of injured players playing our 5th game in 13 days. Having not scored in last 2 games we decided to go for an attacking 3-5-2 formation. Gav Fletcher continuing in goals with a back 3 of Daz, Dom and Owen. Wing backs were Joel and Tony with Fergs in the middle been partner by Fortsey and Sven in an unfamilar role from his usual striker position. Up front were Adam and Jimmy as Mousey turned up late even though he finishes at 12!!!! We had a strong bench though all be it most of them injured with Gareth, his broher, Dale and Mousey
The game started with both teams cancelling each other out but with Royal having the better of the opening exchanges frustrating Tyersal, who all they seemed to do was the long ball into the corners which we dealt with easily. The break finally came mid way through the first half with a free kick been played into the Tyersal box and not dealt with by there very suspect looking defence, finally been bundled home by Tony for his first of the season. Tyersal were in shock as were there normally voicestress touchline who all of a sudden went quiet. We were in front and quite susprisinlgy comfortable considering playing agianst the title favorites,when a shot from nowhere which should have saved but Gav losing his bearings thinking it was going wide left it to go in off the post. 1-1 with 30 mins gone, Tyersal then began to get into the game and a cross into the box was headed towards goal and only pushed out by Gav straight to the feet of the Tyersal player who couldnt miss, seconds later the third came when a ball was played into the box to 2 Tyersal players who were blatantly off side by a clear 2 metres but the ref who didnt give an offside all game allowed the goal much to the Royals fury. We went in at half time undeservably 3-1 down but confident we could pull it back. Steve ordered to us at half time to take out there pepperami look a like midfielder who had been fouling all game and moaning when he got it back, in one way or another.
The second half started with Tyersal obviously realising we were still a big threat reverting to a 4-3-3 formation trying to put the game out of our reach which another goal would have, but Royal again stood firm and never really looked in danger of conceding. 10 mins into the half Adam went in on Pepperami boy leaving his foot in and then laughing in his face when he got up, which angered him into to kicking out. Pepperami boy was subsiquently sent off, the bate been set and taken. Tyersal now down to 10 men now looked to keep what they had reverting to 4-4-1. Royal took control of the game introducing top scorer Mousey into the game looking to peg back the two goals. Half way through the half a corner was not properly cleared by the dodgy Tyersal defence, the ball landed at the edge of the box to Jimmy who volleyed into the top right hand corner for a great goal. Royal's tails were up and now looked for the equaliser, limiting Tyersal to the odd break away chance, one which they should have converted only to be tipped over by Gav, who apart from one misjudgement for the first goal was having a great game commanding his area. As the game wore on the we couldnt quite manage the equaliser as we began to tire, the toll of all the recent games starting to show. The final whistle went with us going down 2-3.
In all we were very unlucky but you find that teams at the top get the breaks in games. Over the 90 mins a draw would have been a fair result even though we looked the better team. Had it not been for our lenghty injury list and players not availble it would have a been a very different story. Tyersal looked nervous and to be honest were not as good as Relay or White Eagles who weve recently played but will still go up as runners up to Relay with White Eagles playing 3 games a week recently looking like its been too much for them. As for us yeh we played well but we still lost which shouldnt be forgotten. One game to go against Albion Sports Reserves, a win would be a fitting end to the season after early on promising so much but ending with nothing. We have all the right ingredients to be major title contenders we just need to believe more and get consistancy. We have a good squad full of good players with a lot of youth along side some older heads and with the couple of players were getting next year we should be even stronger to finally make it out of this division.
. Again lots of changes were made patching together a team full of injured players playing our 5th game in 13 days. Having not scored in last 2 games we decided to go for an attacking 3-5-2 formation. Gav Fletcher continuing in goals with a back 3 of Daz, Dom and Owen. Wing backs were Joel and Tony with Fergs in the middle been partner by Fortsey and Sven in an unfamilar role from his usual striker position. Up front were Adam and Jimmy as Mousey turned up late even though he finishes at 12!!!! We had a strong bench though all be it most of them injured with Gareth, his broher, Dale and Mousey