Desire the growing concern of leakng goals from set pieces in injury time at the back post and the injuries. The three points put us back in the mix for at least a chance of going up automatically!
We began with our first corner and a back post corner headed in by our skipper to take the lead, for the majority of the first half we began to be frustrating ourselves by playing to their strengths, we could not dominate the ball, giving the ball back at nearly every opportunity, their possession stats were very high and everyone was wishing the half time whistle would go, but alas, the dominant p!ay paid off by scoring the last kick of the half!
The second half started not so good, but we started to keep the ball better and confidence grew as our possession became better. After a couple of forced substitutions to our line up, we kept the momentum up and because of this they brought on another defender and went three at the back with wing backs as this helped the midfield to help us find the space and an injury to their centre half changed as he had won everything thrown by us and this led to their dominance.
The substitute was a midfielder for the centre back, and not long after we exploited this change after a deflected pass led to our second goal!
We had chances before and after this including hitting the post and some positive individual runs and passing moves!
However, once again the momentum was lost as they came looking for an equaliser, and deep into injury time they did!
By then, time is running down, the fans were reluctantly accepting a draw and when the matchwinner pounced after controlling the pass, a little couple of touches for the shot to rocket past their keeper!
the kop erupted in disbelief, that 'The super sub' won the game!
There were several times during the game that swayed the momentum, changing shape and tactics, and the set piece problems, are a major headache, and this does need to change, I felt that our right wasn't working well at all until Morris, who is usually dependable had to go off, the introduction of Nevitt, have us a chance to hold the ball up better, as much as Hemmings didn't!
Clark and Davies must sort things back to clean sheets to help either keeper,. We need a better balance of attacking oltions, especially when the long or diagonal hopeful pass doesn't work,. We can play to feet and we can create, but some of our crossing was pretty poor!
If like me, the form of both teams and history, a draw was the likely outcome, so winning against a rival was important and gratefully accepted! We have to go into Tuesday with more confidence against a team struggling for form and give us the momentum for these last ten games!
Friday nights are Prenton Park nights!
The twelfth man strikes again!
Great atmosphere and total limbs at the end of around of 110 minutes of entertainment!
Phew!