Sunday 27th January 2008

Paul Birch FC would have felt dissapointed after this 2-1 defeat to Centresports Reserves.

They had the better of the game and I am sure even Centresports would concede that. However, the visitors took their chances and Paul Birch FC didnt.

After last weeks 7-0 thumping by Milldean in the Paul Picard cup, it was important to bounce back this week with a confident performance and they did. Paul Howe was again without Brendan Cassidy and Mark Beale and in addition Ashley Watts and Ryan Tarratn were injured.

Daniel Sault and Danny Cowin were brought in and its ben one of those seasons with a total of 26 players being used for the 1st team this term.

The home side started very brightly and playing some good football. However, they were giving away too many freekicks just out side the box and they were finally undone by one after twenty nine minutes. A looping kick was sent into the box and a tall Centresports player rose above everybody else and made it 1-0 Centresports Reserves.

That was one chance, one goal and so very dissapointing after some good play by PB in the first half hour. However, four minutes later, they were level. New signing, Dan Sault looped a fine cross into the box that Paul Smith brought down superbly with his chest and turned and volleyed past the keeper to make it 1-1.

A great way to bounce back and they were now definately the better side.

Into the second half and the yellows continued to press. Alan Selby shot wide, Paul Smith headed wide form a corner and he also had a strike come off the post. Up the other end, John Wawrzewski made a couple good saves in only his second start of the season. After suffering from, firstly a foot injury and secondly a muscle problem, he looked shapr and confident and everyone was glad to see he him back in a Paul Birch FC shirt.

On sixty two minutes, PB again went close when Nick Byworth cannoned a shot against the bar. Paul Smith then shot wide and it was really becoming one of those games. Add to that, some very dubious decisions by the referree, this was not turning into PB's day.

Then the inevitable happened. With six minutes to go, the away side, after a couple of minutes of possession, pressed forward, fought their way through the defence and slot the ball past Wawrzewski in the net. 2-1 Paul Birch FC

That is what we call 'sods law' and weighs up the season. PB were the better side but Centresports took their chances which is the aim of the game. They can take confidence that they played well and created chances and were again missing four players. But they have Prince of Wales next week and they have to bounce back after three straight defeats otherwise they could slip into a relegation dogfight.

Mike Smith

Man of the Match: John Wawrzewski - Only his second start of the season and put in a confident, assured performance with a couple of good saves.

Team:

Wawrzewski, Sault, Collins, McGuigan (Cowin), Byworth, Birch, S. Reeves, Selby, Ezekiel, Smith, T.Reeves

Subs not used: None