Old Boys hit a double bogey

MATCH REPORT BY JESS SHAKESPEARE

In the red, literally, last night the Old Boys recorded their second loss of the season, and second loss to DDL who are proving to be the Old Boy's bogey team. DDL, who have themselves also lost two for the season, are obviously beatable in the league, but the Old Boys just don't seem to have it against DDL. 4 goals shipped in the first 15 or 20 mins of the first half, all of which were met with broad smiles from the Old Boy's old nemesis the ref, largely as a result of defending too deep in our half. We did much better when we kept them occupied in their half.

The Old Boys tend to become introverted under pressure as there was a lack of communication between us and the communication that did take place was largely negative. The gaffer recognised this and declared a time out after their fourth goal who gave some wise words against the use of the long ball over the top which only seemed to result in the ball coming right back at us. Some better football followed, more shots on goal, one of which was a rasping effort from Joe which cruelly hit the glass inches away from the top right corner and a nice shot on the turn from the gaffer which was saved. Good movement in the area from Matt to find space and good hustling generally in their half.

Then in the second half came the Old Boys first goal, an unstoppable shot from Dom from a set piece, game on. That half showed the good and bad sides of the Old Boy's set pieces with a disastrous free kick reminiscent of the Henry/Pires penalty debacle of a few seasons ago. Set pieces are definitely something the Old Boys should work on.

A yellow card for DDL gave us more hope and a goal followed from the gaffer - good hustling in the area and right foot low drive from the right side of the area, their generally pretty good keeper stood little chance. The rest of the half was proper Old Boys, good hustling, some good keeping from Wayne, endless hustling of the backs from Tim, and lots of shots on goal. DDL declared a time out with 5 mins to go which suited us fine. Some tactical changes from the gaffer bringing on Tim along side him and Dazza into defence. With more mins left who knows, we may have sneaked it, but resolute defending from DDL sealed their double over the Old Boys. The Old Boys fell foul of their customary first half nerves. There were positives to take though, the second half was 2-0 Old Boys with continued hustling demonstrating great passion and fitness.