Hello readers,
The big game finally arrived and in the build-up there were a few surprises which only added to the occasion.
On Saturday morning we arrived at the ground and were told that we were having a team meeting before we left for Ostersund. I didn’t think anything of it because with such a big game ahead it would be understandable if the manager wanted to talk to us before the game. However, once we were in the changing rooms we were introduced to a new player called Alagie who had signed for the club on Friday. Friday, something I later found out, was the last day of the Swedish transfer window and with that in mind the club made the decision to sign Alagie who was a free agent after missing out on a move to a Norwegian team.
Alagie has played in the two highest divisions in Sweden for a number of years and in Norway’s top division. With that being said, he could only add quality and experience to our squad, things that could make all the difference in the run in to the end of the season. After a brief introduction we all got on the bus ready and raring for what would be the biggest game of our season.
As we prepared for the game and went through a pre-match warm up, Elliot looked like he was struggling with a shoulder injury that he had picked up earlier in the week. It was obvious that he could no longer continue so we had to change our team by pushing Brad up front and bringing Daniel in on the wing. This was far from an ideal situation but we have a strong squad and other players are more than capable of coming and performing.
As the game started we had three changes from our normal starting eleven, but we made a great start to the game and were the better team for the large majority of the first half. Our hard work and desire paid off as we took a 2-0 lead into the break through Brad who was having one of his best games I’ve ever seen him play.
We knew that for the first 10-15 minutes of the second half, Ostersund would put us under pressure as they tried to get back into the game. Unfortunately a lapse in concentration cost us and they scored to ensure that the last 25 minutes of the game would be intense.
We didn’t let the fact they scored deter us from playing football and we scored a third shortly after through Alagie. The goal came at the perfect time with just 10 minutes to go which dampened their hopes of getting back into the game.
We saw out the final minutes, playing smart football and running the clock down. Over all it was a great team effort and we thoroughly deserve the three points. We are now on 42 points level with Ostersund with four games left of the season, although we are five goals behind them on goal difference.
This weekend’s game against Holmsund is also huge as earlier in the season we beat them 5-0 away and we see it as a chance to improve our goal difference. Sadly, this weekend I am suspended but I will be cheering the boys on from the side lines. Wish us luck.
Lewis
