Southgate County 0 - 3 Old Parms

Southgate County 0 – 3 Old Parms

On a wretched run of form Southgate faced an Old Parms team flying high towards the top of the league…who have already beaten Mayfield 9-0 this season (who beat us 5-1 last week). That said we could take some motivation from a 0-0 draw with Parms earlier in the season, the only team to stop them scoring this season.

We spoke before the game about getting back to being hard to beat as we were earlier in the season. It was a total disaster to then concede within 10 seconds of kick off, made even worse by the fact it was our kick off. It was calamitous defending, albeit finished well by the Parms forward. Unlike the previous week we didn’t let the goal affect us. We were competing strongly for every ball and winning more than our fair share of 50:50’s. We were creating chances too even if they were half chances. After 15 minutes we started to play some really good football, working the ball excellently in tight spaces to work our way up the pitch and release the pace we have in Mason and Arnold. We had a glorious chance to equalise on 15 minutes; we worked the ball excellently the full length of the pitch and released Arnold on the right wing. He delivered an excellent cross to Dec on the 6 yard line, unfortunately he shouldered his attempted header into the keepers hands. Five minutes later we were 2 down. Parms were awarded a free kick (despite Bellinger being totally pulled back before committing a foul). We cleared the free to the edge of the box but were then guilty of over-playing; before being robbed of the ball and just like that we were 2 down. We continued to press and created some excellent chances in the last 15 minutes of the half to get back into the game. Another brilliant move the full length of the pitch saw O’Brien running through on the right of the box; his squared ball saw Mason just fail to connect. Soon after great footwork from Mason in the centre circle saw him play through Dec one on one; unfortunately Dec scuffed wide of the post. Mason hit a pearler from 30 yards and standing right behind it, it was flying just inside the post but the Parms keeper pulled of a top class finger-tip save.

2 down at half time but so much better than last week. We had fought Parms all over the pitch and won more than our fair share of the ball. Our football on the ground was excellent and we created chances…but 2 mistakes led to 2 goals…

After a sloppy first 5 minutes of the second half we started to compete and play as we had in the first. This was a game of high quality and we had a really strong 10 minutes but couldn’t take any of the half chances that came our way and failed to create a clear cut opening. About 15 minutes into the half we were 3 down, a simple goal, from a corner, a good delivery, one of the Parms centre backs rose highest and headed well into the net. We continued to press though and should have pulled one back instantly, great work from Arnold saw him ping the ball across the goal, almost on the goal-line, Dec’s connection was blocked on the line and put out for a corner. From the corner Bellinger just missed connecting at the back-post. Then with between about 20 minutes remaining we had a man sent off…I won’t describe the details. To the credit of the 10 men left on the pitch we were excellent during the final 20 minutes. Our energy levels were superb and our desire and play matched it. Yes Parms had chances to add to their lead on the break but we continued to take the game to them…and miss chances. Another one across the goal-line that should have been finished, a close range header that should have been finished, a shot over from 12 yards that should have been on target and a dipping volley from Jack Clark coming back off the bar.

It was a hard result to swallow…this league is unforgiving and it is such a shame we are in it having finished mid-table last season in the league below. In every game, except for last week, we have competed really well, we have matched teams throughout but every mistake we make seems to cost us a goal and we are just not taking our chances…not a good recipe. That said this was a good Parms team who deserved to win and I’m sure will be challenging for the title. Unfortunately it only gets harder…next week away to Hinton and Finchley, top and the only team above Parms.

Plenty of contenders for man of the match, Mason and Arnold were a constant menace and showed great energy levels…the full backs covered enormous ground, some of the tight inter-play and challenges won in midfield were superb…but the award goes to Jack Clark, who took every vote for an excellent all round performance.