"Immense!!"
That was Kevin's view on his sides performance today. Denied a memorable victory only by a very, very late equaliser in "Added" time the Saints and their manager can be rightly proud of their efforts today against runaway league leaders Staines Town.
"Following the last few week's poor displays today was a complete revelation in everyone’s attitude, desire and commitment. With just 11 players available the team played not the neatest football we have ever seen from the Saints but a most composed, committed and defensive display.
With Matt, Mike, Tom, Ben & Ollie all missing we had to go 4-4-2 with Alex M dropping back to centre back alongside Martin, Ross and Christian - and what a performance they gave, full of energy and desire to not let anything past them. Seb started on the right with Connor and Nathan in the middle and Jamie on the left, leaving Julien and Joe up front. Jamie, today, gave his best performance in a Saints shirt! He was closing people down, heading and laying neat passes on for Julien and Joe to feed on. Joe and Julien ran their socks off up front as we looked to close Staines down at the back and defend from the front.
Saints enjoyed the better possession in the first half and Martin was unlucky to see a free kick narrowly miss the post from a long way out. Alex M and Martin along with Chris and Ross destroyed every Staines attack and restricted them to long range efforts which either went wide or were easily dealt with by Josh. On the one occasion when a aimless ball was played over the top Josh was off his line like a greyhound out of the trap only to get clattered by the Staines forward. Luckily Josh was only winded and resumed his place in goal. Although we had the possession we really did not threaten the Staines goal and the half finished 0-0.
The boys were buzzing at half time and with plenty of reason to be so - we also knew that Staines were there for the taking if we carried on like this. With Staines wanting to wrap up the title they came straight at us but we stood up to be counted in style. Ross and Jamie were putting bodies in the way, Chris and Seb were denying time and space down the right and Alex M and Martin were dealing with everything through the middle. Finally we put the ball in the net when Nathan shot and the ball bounced in front of the 'keeper for Joe to put it away - unfortunately he was judged to have jumped at the 'keeper. Still midway through the half Joe latched onto a pass and steered the ball home for a deserved 1-0 lead. Cue a Staines onslaught!! A shot rattled our cross bar, corner after corner was defended magnificently and Ross threw his body at a goal bound shot... but despite this we still looked relatively comfortable. With 10 minutes left Seb was cruelly brought down by a cynical challenge and it looked like we would be left with 10 men but up he got and played on - a real testament to his desire and strength. Just before the end Julien had a chance but rolled the ball agonisingly the wrong side of the post. Josh gave us a heart attack when, trying to play for time, he saved the ball, put it on the ground then picked it up again conceding an indirect free kick. Staines took a quick free kick but Josh redeemed himself with a brilliant save. Moving into ‘Fergie time’ Staines were getting frustrated and we were getting tired when a hopeful ball was swung over from the right and the Staines player volleyed towards our goal - this type of shot do one of two things they either fly high, wide and handsome or fly in and unfortunately it flew in. Still the referee played more mins (46 at this point!!) but we played ourselves to a memorable point.
It just shows that when the boys are focused they can achieve almost anything. Maybe I have been harsh over the last couple of weeks as runners up spot was within their grasp and a lack of discipline and focus caused too many dropped points. They are very capable of playing like this every week and it is frustrating to watch them not play to the best of their abilities. Without doubt though this was by far and away their best performance of the season and one I and them should be very proud of. With so many excellent performances out there today it's been really hard to select one individual but in the end Jamie just edged it, a player more than capable but does not always show it.
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