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Following on from a postponed match last week, it was
disappointing to start the season having to play a match game
against a team three divisions above.
The game started predictably with both sides cautious, but as
the game progressed and Rayleigh boys failed to get past the
strong defence lead by Reece with Daniel, Liam and Aqib, the
chance for a break came quickly.
With some confident passing play, Harry was through on goal and
made no mistake to put Forest one up. After that the play was
all one way, every attack by Rayleigh was quickly dispatched and
wave up on wave of attacks tested the Rayleigh goalmouth.
Half time was signalled and the second half looked right to
finish Rayleigh off. Within seven minutes of the re-start some
excellent defensive play by Forest allowed Reece to plant a well
timed through ball straight to Thomas just outside the eighteen
yard box, with a running shot, the ball found the back of the
net.
At this point
the game seemed concluded but Rayleigh showed plenty of fight
and Forest legs began to wane having given their all. The first
opposition goal came from an inspired run down the wing, and the
first time during the whole game the defence looked tired and
was unable to prevent a peace of individual skill in placing the
ball past the outstretched arms of Alex. The equaliser came
quickly as again the tired legs of Forest could not prevent
Rayleigh’s strikers from cutting through the midfield and
heading for goal. Two further Rayleigh goals did not confirm
that Forest dominated the game for most of the play against a
division ‘A’ side.
But even with
the score at 2 – 4 Forest still had fight in them, in the last
five minutes some dogged work by Mathew in mid-field earned him
the Man of the Match, time still remained for three more shots
on the Rayleigh goal but luck was not on our side today.
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