The Albion went into their third game of the new season desperately seeking three points after failing to click into gear in their first two games against Machico and Huracan. After coming second in last week’s ‘Battle of the nice guys’ Albion knew that a step up in aggression would be needed to deal with Sunday’s opponents, Cyrus the Great.
It was a blustery morning on Prince George’s field and Albion entered the game with a few notable omissions from the starting line-up. Matt dropped out after aggravating a hamstring against Huracan and the latest product of the world renowned American goalkeeping production line Bill was also MIA.
“Coach Barker†responded with his third different formation in as many games, a 4-3-3 comprising of Aleks in goal, Will at right back, Barny and captain Stew in the centre of the defence, with Myles on the left. Buff Ralph, Si and Jindy made up the middle three with Johnny, Nick M and The Donfather spearheading the attack.
The legions of Albion fans that made the journey were pleased to see that the investment they had made into the Albion 2012-13 away shirt was not in vain as their heroes took to the pitch disguised as AS Roma (Vilem would be proud).
With true Italian flair Albion started brightly, knocking the ball around and causing trouble down the channels. Jonny looked particularly bright, leading numerous raids down the left flank. Albion’s pressure paid off mid-way through the first half after Johnny again broke free down the left before putting the ball into the centre for Don. One of the following two things then happened:
a)Â Â Anticipating the flight of the ball with expert precision, Don noted a slight movement from the goalkeeper to the right, before deftly sticking out a foot to roll the ball agonizingly past the keepers planted left foot and into the net. Pure class.
b) Â Â Â Anticipating the likelihood of scoring a first time shot, Don attempted to control the ball which instead bounced off the side of his outstretched foot. The keeper, surprised by this poor touch was wrong footed and could only watch the ball trickle past him.
We’ll let you decide which.
Albion looked good value for their lead as the first half ticked by and would have been forgiven for thinking they would lead at the interval. However Albion once again showed their fragility and conceded two quick goals that swung the tie. TheCyrus left winger showed pace quicker that Tomas Radzinski on a Japanese bullet train to go past Will, get to the by-line before cutting in and blasting the ball past the keeper. Albion were reeling from this goal when Cyrus scored again, this time Albion could blame no-one but themselves as a series of failed clearances left the striker with half a yard of space to finish smartly.
Albion’s Defending – At times pig ugly
Here Albion could have crumbled. Instead they scored a goal. It was probably a great, great goal, one that will go down in Albion history. Unfortunately this reporter was completely at the other end of the pitch and thought the referee had ruled it out for offside. Whilst the details of this goal will live only in the memory of the Albion fans, the mark in the referee’s notebook was indelible.
After conferring with my co-reported I can report that after a corner from Dustin had been thwarted a Cyrus defender cleared the ball, at least 2 attempts were made by Albion to thrash it goalwards. Nick Milne had one cross shot that landed at the feet of Johnny Weissmuller who buried it side foot into the bottom corner. Cyrus had screamed for offside, but neglected to identify the defender wearing the same kit as them, standing at least 3 yards on the wrong side of Johnny, to make a credible case for offside. Referee duly noted this & Albion went in to the break level at 2-2. Disappointing thing about this well taken goal was that we did not get to celebrate it like it was 1999, but skulked back to restart the game.
The theme of the half time talk was of belief. Albion knew they had the ability to win football games, but it was the confidence in this ability that was lacking. This confidence would be the key to ending this game with three points.
The second half started slowly and with Albion struggling to find their passing rhythm, Cyrus struck again. Again down the left, again with pace, this time the striker lifting it over the keeper from outside the box. Albion again found themselves facing an uphill struggle. It very nearly got even worse when minutes later Cyrus broke down the right and produced a delightful lob over the onrushing keeper.
Despite the fact that the shot was going in, the Cyrus striker felt the need to make sure, tapping the ball into the empty net from an offside position. After first juggling the ball and getting himself noticed by the visiting circus which had taken up on Raynes Park.
The referee, not convinced by Don’s offside call canvassed other spectators, presumably all which he knew to be completely independent and in possession of the requisite FA refereeing qualifications. After some consideration the goal was chalked off, a let off for Albion – although the right decision.
2 in 2 for the Twigg
Albion sensed that the stars may have aligned and took this as a signal to push forward, and from here they begun creating chances once more. Steve came on for Myles and took his usual place front; Nick Evans came on for Don & went inside left, with big angry Dunc slotting in the midfield for Ralph.
Further chances came and went, Ralph hit the post, Albion wasted a number of opportunities to take the game beyond the opposition, with a lack of end product from great work on the wings. A number of teasing crosses came through from Jindy & Nick Milne, where the former delivered a pin point ball that eluded everyone except the on rushing Duncan ‘super-sub’ Twigg.
Dunc ran through and proceeded to use his face to guide the ball past the keeper, for his 2nd in 2 games with his head. The goal was reminiscent of David Platt in Villa days; the celebration was of Micky Quinn in his Coventry days. It was 3-3, and Albion could smell blood, or their noses were actually bleeding from Johnny’s pharmaceuticals.
Despite this, the threat from Cyrus lingered as they continually left 4 pacey strikers up the field to entertain the Albion defence. However, Albion did make the breakthrough, with 5 minutes left Johnny again lost his marker before smartly tucking the ball inside the far post, with his left foot.
Albion had won and gained the three points they so desperately craved, but will know there is plenty still to work on. Hopefully getting our first points on the board will calm some nerves and settle everyone down. The new players are starting to bed in, as demonstrated by Johnny’s MOTM performance, although we are still awaiting the toxicology report on the “rubâ€.