Could not match the
organisation
By Lawrence Mentesh
With their last win being over 3 games ago, Bonus Weeks
needed to get some big points back on the board and today’s
game couldn’t come much bigger, a second derby against FC
Orange. The Orange had taken the bragging rights in the
first match by beating Bonus Weeks 3-1 and, as Orange were
on a good run of form, Bonus Weeks knew that this game was
not going to be easy.
Back this week were David Mold, Lawrence Mentesh, Alan
Spurgeon and Jeff Ball, but missing were Adam Wilson, Adam
Tauber and Nathan Conteh, all 3 serving a 1 game ban from
the match last week. Also unavailable were Alan Belshaw and
Chris Griffin. This left Bonus Weeks short of several key
players, allowing other squad members the chance to show
what they could do.
The match started at a good tempo with both teams desperate
to get the first goal. The first moment of drama, however,
came when FC Orange centre back Kris Taft spoilt his
immaculate mohican haircut by clashing heads in an aerial
challenge, the result of which left him needing treatment at
the side of the pitch to stop him carrying on playing
looking like Terry Butcher.
Once back on the pitch he re-joined the end to end football
only to see his team concede the first goal of the match
after 15 minutes. A free kick was won just outside of the
area and when Mark Dooley stepped up to drill one in his low
strike was blocked by the keeper but the rebound fell kindly
for Pete Frank who was the first to react and he wasted no
time in rushing in to lift the ball over the grounded
keeper.
This early goal gave the psychological advantage to Bonus
Weeks and the team were visibly lifted but their euphoria
lasted only 10 minutes before Orange drew level. Again, it
was a free kick just outside of the area but this time the
ball was struck high and with plenty of dip, the latter
giving Carlos Parkin a major problem as it brought the ball
down over his head and in off the underside of the crossbar.
It was a well taken free kick and it riled Bonus Weeks
no-end but worse was to come less than 5 minutes later when
a short pass back into the box found Craig Tilley with
enough time and space to control the ball, turn and hit a
first time shot which was low and wide enough to beat the
dive of the keeper. Again, it was a clinical finish but
Bonus Weeks were guilty of poor marking, particularly on
such a dangerous player.
But Orange were not having it all their own way and Bonus
Weeks won several more free kicks in dangerous areas but
unfortunately their execution was poor and they all sailed
harmlessly high over the crossbar. They also continued to
push well down the centre but again their finishing was poor
and rushed and they never really made the keeper work too
hard. Several corners, too, came and went without anything
to show for them and the frustration of the Bonus Week
players began to grow.
Then, to compound the misery, the game was virtually put to
bed when Orange scored a third goal after 40 minutes, a good
strike found the underside of the woodwork yet again and yet
again Carlos was left scrambling backwards to try and keep
it out. So, 3-1 down at half time Bonus Weeks were forced to
make a change as Rich Billam had injured his back so Cameron
Parker took his place up front.
The second half played out much the same as the first in
terms of end to end football but it was Orange who seemed to
pass the ball quicker and have better movement but even with
that they struggled to break down the resilient Bonus Weeks
defence for a fourth goal. Both sides had a few more half
chances and with the introduction of Ross Musk for the last
half hour Bonus Weeks continued to probe forward but again
they were guilty of indecision, poor control and even worse
finishing, although Paul Wells did manage to hit a decent
strike near the end and although it was comfortably saved by
the keeper it was at least on target.
However, for all their persistence Bonus Weeks could not
match the organisation of the Orange and they could have
conceded at least one more goal in amazing circumstances as
yet again the woodwork came into play when a shot from the
half-way line hit the crossbar but this time bounced away to
safety. Soon after that a clearance by Carlos to the
half-way line was volleyed straight back and it would have
gone in if Carlos had not raced back to his line to gather
it back into his arms.
Still, the score remained at 3-1 and Bonus Weeks refused to
give up but eventually they were given the final body blow 5
minutes from time when a bouncing ball into the box led to a
mix up between keeper and defender, leading to the defender
heading the ball over the keeper’s head and into his own
net.
The final score of 4-1 was harsh on Bonus Weeks who competed
well for most of the game and but for poor finishing it
could have ended much closer. However, Bonus Weeks are still
somewhat inexperienced as a team and with several players
having joined only recently they still need a little more
time to gel as a unit, once they have done this I’m sure
that their performances will improve dramatically.
Bonus Weeks now have some tough fixtures for the next few
weeks but no team this season has played them off the pitch
so, as always, they will play with no fear and plenty of
confidence, hopefully there determination will be well
rewarded.
Trainer/
Coach