v Bedfont Green League 07/10/07 Lost 4-3

Feltham made the short journey to Hanworth Air Park to play local rivals Bedfont Green in a midday kick off and the two sides served up a treat of a match that had everything a local derby should have. There were goals, fierce but fair tackles, a few verbals and some controversial decisions. The Whites were disappointed that they did not take at least a point from this game but once again mistakes at crucial times cost us dearly.

  Feltham made a very good start and had Bedfont pinned in their own half for much of the first period. John Jo forced two excellent saves out of Mark in the home goal and Lee was denied by two great last ditch tackles as the visitors sought an early lead. Bedfont were defending well and in numbers but then with their first attack of the half they took the lead when a long shot from their left found its way into the top corner of the net. Five minutes later it was 2-0 to the home side as a mistake between several of the home defenders saw a Bedfont forward poke the ball home from the penalty spot area. A shell shocked Feltham left the field at half time unable to believe that they were 2-0 down.

  Bedfont made a better start to the second period and soon made it 3-0 with another good shot that went high into the Feltham net. The Whites were now forced to change their shape and push men forward to try to pull a goal back and it soon followed as Nathan scored the goal of the game with a terrific run and twenty yard shot that flew into the top corner. The game was now wide open as both sides created chances. Both sides hit the post and the home side missed a couple of glorious chances before making it 4-1 with another poor goal from a defensive point of view as a long cross was met at the far post by an unmarked player who steered the ball home. Feltham to their credit did not give up and continued to battle away and Charlie scored to make it 4-2 with a crisp low shot inside the box. With the seconds ticking away Matt made it 4-3 but time was not on Feltham’s side and the Ref blew giving the home side the three points.

Harsh on Feltham maybe but, we must stop giving silly goals away because at this level we are being punished every time. We should have taken a point today but on the plus side we never gave up and it was a much improved performance on last weeks hiding. We have made a similar start to last season and only hard work and a bit of luck will turn it around so we must keep applying ourselves and it will come. Well done to the boys for a great comeback which almost saved a point.

  Thanks to all the parents for their great support today it was appreciated in a hostile atmosphere. Thanks to the young ref, it was a difficult game to control at times. Thanks to Sean and the Bedfont boys for a fiercely competitive match played mostly in the right spirit. We look forward to the return in January although most of you have probably discussed the game at school by now.

Squad – Ryan , Lewis , Ben , Leon , Charlie , John Jo , Matt , Lee , Anthony , Paulo , Anis , Nathan , Daniel , Jack

Scorers – Nathan, Charlie, Matt