(08-Mar-14) vs Petersfield Town Pirates (A): 2-3

Plastic Fantastic

This Saturday’s game was always going to be a big challenge for the boys.

Firstly, they were playing a very strong Petersfield team that had pounded them at home 1-5.

Secondly they would have to play within the confines of a narrow pitch, and on a surface upon which they had only rarely practised and had not played a competitive game.

There was a bit of trepidation amongst the supporters and certainly it was not going to be as easy a game as the preceding fixture, where the width of the pitch played to the Harrier’s strengths.

As the game unfolded we could see the quality on the opposition, quick and skilful forwards and an equally adept backline. The Harriers coped admirably with everything that was thrown at them and gradually started to feel comfortable. The passing game was back.

We were all delighted when Max ST scored the opening goal from an excellent through ball from Charlie Morris, but we knew that the home team would come at us ( and at us they came ). The back line held together very well with some “new” faces making rare appearance at the back and generally getting in the way of the opposition as any defender should. But Petersfield began pressing even harder.

Oscar made a brilliant finger-tip save. Ollie and Euan were all over the place covering and heading away the danger. But still Petersfield came forward relentlessly. Something had to give….and they equalised. The teams were incredibly evenly matched and ( for the neutral ) it must have been like Spasky and Fisher all those years ago in Iceland.

The Brains Trust ( ie the Coaches ) re-arranged things accordingly – this wouldn’t be the last time this would be required.

Still Petersfield came forward. And then they scored again.

At this point another re-arrangement. The defence took on a familiar look with Max ST taking on his usual Baresi role. Ollie and Euan kept up their sterling work ( fantastic heading and tracking back ) and suddenly Petersfield has something to think about again. Noah and Charlie B, Charlie M and Joe and Max, Rowan and Jack all started bursting forward fed as usual by the excellent Ryan.

The equaliser became inevitable and duly arrived with a strong surge from Noah on the left and an excellent ball across the box for Joe to squeeze the ball in at the far post – a real poacher’s effort to compliment Noah’s work. The Harriers were not only not going down without a fight they were not going to go down at all.

The game kept going back and forth and each and everyone of the Harriers did their utmost – it was a magnificent game to watch as Petersfield were excellent and played the game in a brilliant spirit. As the clock approached full time most of the supporters would have taken an honourable draw.

But The Management had one last gamble to play.

On came Joe, Max I and Charlie B for the last few minutes to see what could happen and go for the win. ( Hopefully someone can get this message to David Moyes!!) Normally when Max I and Joe appear there is some kind of pandemonium and this time the “Twins of Evil” effected the perfect kind of pandemonium. After some typically excellent passing through the midfield, Joe played Max I in and Max I finished with aplomb. We were winning. There followed 2 or 3 of the longest minutes in Christendom and then the final whistle..

There was no Man of the Match because everyone on Harriers Team deserved their share. Each and everyone of them played their part in defence midfield and attack and Nev played his part with his calculated throw of the dice at the last. After the 8-1 it seemed difficult to think things could get better, but they did.

We are now just a point behind the leaders and there is no-one the Harriers should fear. More of the same next week, please.

Well done boys, and well done to Ollie for Trainer of the Week.