Net Loss
GPR 2 PROFA 5
The new nets have been up for two games now, and while our marketing department may be happy, we are yet to win with them following a disappointing 5-2 loss to PROFA.
In the pub after the game, we lamented over our prior expectations of Sunday League football. When the club was put together it was done so that we would be up against pub teams and old boys. The lived reality has been anything but.
We’ve played former semi-pros, youth teams and after this weekend can lay claim to academy sides too. And it showed, the opposition relying on their chemistry and training to dominate the ball early in the game, which set the tone for much of the match.
We’re fine with this for the most part. For all their possession, it was the Salads who had the better of the chances in the opening phase of play.
Ten minutes in, a crunching challenge just outside the box by Cal gave us possession deep in the opposition half. Joel and Sam pushed up, the former put in a deep cross to Jeff, and he cushioned the ball down for Rory, only for a strong block to see the threat removed for a corner.
Not long afterwards, Aman broke forward, splayed the ball to Jeff who chased down the wing. He squared it back, the defender shirked the clearance and Aman followed through with an effort that bruised the post, but couldn’t break the deadlock.
Sadly, PROFA went on to dominate the middle chunk of the game. A goalline clearance from Sam with his head kept the game level, but the opening goal wasn’t far behind.
After some nervy set piece action, a header pushed the ball out of the box, but PROFA’s impressive left back simply took it in his stride and fired a superb dipping effort right into the inside of the net. 0-1.
0-2. Breaking into space, the left winger showed serious pace to tear down the length of his flank and give himself the time to curl the ball in the back of the net.
Things could have gotten worse when, during a rough tackle that looked like a foul, the opposition striker was put through down the right channel. Oli had to stay laser focused to keep the shot out.
We went into the half annoyed, having not done enough across the pitch. At this point, the game goes one of two ways. We either buck up, as we have done multiple times this season already, or the struggle continues.
This week, we did a mixture of the two. It got worse before it got better. Despite Tim and Doug adding some wily grit to the middle of the park, by the midpoint of the second half it was 4-0. PROFA were cruising, and we were headed towards our worst defeat of the season.
Throwing caution to the wind, we put half the team up front, and Marcus delivered shortly afterwards, a brilliantly taken quick free kick from Sam putting the ball right in the sweet spot between keeper and defender. Marcus was fastest, and with one touch on the half volley, buried the ball from a tight angle.
Gaining momentum, we won a corner, and the delivery from Joel landed perfectly for Marcus, who connected with a powerful bullet header. PROFA were reeling, and were showing signs of agitation.
But they rode it out, and made it 5-2 minutes before the final whistle to put any chance of a comeback on ice. Frustrating as it was, we lost to a technically good team with plenty to shout about. I wish them luck for the season, maybe with the exception of the bloke who called me a fat f*** out of nowhere.
We move.
MOTM 💫 = Despite Marcus’ heroics in front of goal, Sam came back into the fold and duly delivered, providing equal parts threat and protection throughout the game.
DOTD 👀 = Me, for mucking up the squad list on Insta.
