2 Mar 2008 - RESULT - u13s beaten by Rhinos

Thames Gateway  1-3  Ockendon Rhinos

Firstly, Moss suffered a bad injury and had to be carried from the field.  He was taken to Hospital from the game and was discharged on crutches at around 7 pm.  He has ligament and tissue damage and a possible hairline fracture of his foot and goes back to see a Specialist on Wednesday. We all wish him well, including our opponents who telephoned to enquire how he was on Sunday evening, which was a nice touch and was very much appreciated.

In football there are such things as “bogey teams” and Ockendon Rhinos are definitely ours!  We have lost to them both home and away.  Away we did not play well and deserved what we got but today it was hard to take.

The boys did not do a lot wrong and dominated for long periods in the game, however our finishing today was not up to its usual high standards.  That said Seaman superbly headed in a corner from Dibble, it was a goal from the training ground and would have graced a Premiership match.  Seaman was named man of the match and cleared a shot off the line and made several impressive tackles.

We were denied a second goal with a fantastic penalty save from the Rhinos keeper who was a real thorn in our side in both matches – a magnificent keeper, this time diving to his left to deny Cole.   

1-0 at half time and the turning point of the game came when Rhinos were awarded a controversial penalty.  The linesman, Mr Bodimeade, in very close proximity, saw nothing wrong with the challenge but the Ref saw differently.  Rhinos equalised. 

Chances came for us on a regular basis, Cole went very close on three or four occasions, Dunsdon shot over, Williams could not capitalise on two opportunities - to name but a few.  On any other day we would have scored.  Rhinos caught our defence on a break and took the lead.  We responded pushing men forward and did absolutely everything but score but Rhinos managed an impressive third goal as we left gaps at the back going in search of a goal.

After the game Steve and Paul told the team to keep their chins up, we created enough chances to win the game and unlike the away fixture against Rhinos, we were very very unlucky to lose today.  The Rhinos Manager Steve, spoke to the team after the game saying we played well today and then backed us to go up this season. 

A week off to prepare for the visit of Thurrock B to Lakeside and today’s result will make us doubly determined to get a second win over Thurrock B.....We can’t wait!