That 1st half. We coulda, shoulda...been more than a goal up. Devante was studs away from a tap in (twice – maybe he should set off earlier?) and miscontrolled another great chance. The goal however showed up our tactics throughout that half. We put the high press on the Trotters, attempting to play out from the back. The Frenchman won it halfway into their territory and the ball ran loose for an opportunist finish from McAtee (tee tee), who was everywhere. Scarves were twirled and the atmosphere ratcheted up a notch. We were well on top and looking hungry. That said, Bolton had one or two chances too, including an unbelievable goalline clearance from Cadden as the ball spun goalwards off the keeper and a Wanderer wandered to the backpost for a tap in. Phew.
Second half seemed more of the same. We were looking much the better side when Pines rocketed one in from a corner. Credit to Cole, who held the ball up before backheeling it off a defender into Pines path. (Note: I’m not saying he deliberately backheeled it off the defender with this in mind, but that the unconventionality caused mayhem.) Two nil. EIEIEIO...etc ‘Now you’re gonna believe us, the Reds are going up!’ I know. Since January an atmosphere has broken out at Oakwell, as fans are believing again.
Then...it all went wrong. Bolton take a quick free kick on the halfway line. McAtee and Kane switch off and don’t block the kicker, Connell gets caught wrong side and they are away down our right. 3 passes in total (I think) and it’s a tap-in for Big Vic (of all people). We’d be raving if we’d scored that, a sweet, sweet move. Still, there’s half an hour left so as long as we continue what we’d been doing...
No. The game flicks over like a lightswitch. Bolton are now coming at us, wave after wave. Yes, we stepped back, yes, the midfield can’t get a foot on the ball (Kane could barely move after the hour, presumably exhausted from the pace of the game…yet strangely he stayed on), yes, the forwards are second best to every ball…but the defence was heroic that half an hour, block after block….and when Bolton did get through, Roberts pulled off some incredible close range one-on-one saves. One incredible passage involves them hitting the post and having...I dunno...2, 3? shots blocked. Honestly, it felt like being a child again. I cannot remember the last time I was so tense at being a goal up. (I’ve seen enough calamities to not let it bother me, but here I was, my leg tapping away involuntarily with increasing ferocity as the Bolton hordes launched another attack.)
The 90 minutes are nearly up. How much injury time? 6 minutes maybe? 8 (EIGHT). Wow. Well, maybe. Goals, subs, the odd injury. We survive yet another scare. (They’ve stuck on a sub with pace who is simply waltzing through our midfield). We are camped on the edge of our box, all subs used. Then it happens. A ball comes in from the left, a Trotter goes down next to a Reds player (Earl?) the ref can’t wait to point to the spot. Now, obviously I’m biased, and I’ve since replayed it a dozen times...and the TV picture is inconclusive. Would I want it for us? Certainly. Would I shout for it? Definitely. Would we get it? Not in a million years. Still, there’s pressure on the taker, and Roberts has been magnificent. There’s always hope. Roberts saves, but the rebound falls kindly to the visitors and it’s two-all. I can’t say they haven’t deserved it, but one more point of order, m’lud. The goalscorer wasn’t in the area when the penalty was taken, but he’s undoubtedly in the ‘D’. I’ve long since lost track of the rule changes since I officiated, but shouldn’t this be a re-take? Or is that too much for a linesman and a ref to notice? Why else is he 4 yards ahead of every Reds player?
We kick off and Kane hoofs it straight to their keeper to start another Bolton attack. There’s only one team gonna win this now.
Onwards and upwards!
*** Roberts. Can’t fault for either goal, made some incredible saves and punched a corner out in a crowded area.
** The Frenchman. Intercepted balls, passed it around and set up the opener.
* Jordan William. What a difference having a RWB who can control a ball. Consistent throughout and made 1 or 2 crucial blocks.
Official MOTM: Pines
Londontykes’ MOTM: 1= De Givigny / Roberts 3. Pines
Despatches:
Up until they scored, Bolton’s best chance of a goal looked like giving Pines the ball to feet. I know it’s early days, but you’re either comfortable in possession or you’re not. What makes this particularly crucial is that he’s the central player of a back 3, meaning if he loses it, they’re clean through, which happened once. I also thought that having a giant centre half would mean we’d never concede off a corner again, but we always looked shaky last night. I did enjoy Courtney on OUR corners though…being marked by Big Vic, who may be ‘big’ in girth, but must be 6 inches smaller than Pines. Earl, like MDG, brought the ball out easily in possession and consistently found his men. Whatever I’ve said, these 2 are massive January signings and we’re a much better side for them, nevermind that it allows Jordan to be switched out right. What can go wrong?
Cadden never had the chance to get forward as much as usual, but at least wasn’t being skinned like Derby. Taken off at 68 for the fresh legs of O’Keefe. Kane...what can I say? He was blowing chunks after the hour and was always 2 yards from any ball, puffing and panting his way through the second half. If I give Collins fair dues for the tactics (high press), he has to take criticism for keeping Kane on. (Imagine a slower version of Russell!) Connell had a good game, getting about and putting in challenges, though, again, their fresh legs meant we struggled late on. Phillips and McAtee were playing well when they were hauled. McAtee in particular was causing them problems, but he was on a booking. Grant looked alright (for McAtee) while in injury time, Collins brought on Cosgrove for Cole. Cosgrove. Every match I see him barged, grappled, thrown over, without any recompense from the officials. Same again, as he’s barged, midair, off the pitch. They’re given the throw and (in my mind’s eye) run up the pitch for the penalty. (*note: some of you may have seen on Twitter that the referee apparently is a Washday fan. If so, incredible.) A former Londontyke (guess) reports another Londontyke (guess) commenting ‘he (Cosgrove) needs to be gangraped to get a foul’. Cole was a willing runner throughout, and if he had half of SSW’s nouse for a goal, woulda scored a hattrick. Did you know he’s been outscored by Pines in the last 9 games? Just saying!
Drink du jour: Leffe in Bramahs.
Away: 1,980. ‘Two nil and you f***ed it up.’ Cheers lads, you milk it. You deserved it.
The Damage:
c.£8 petrol
= c.£8
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