SUNDAY 10TH FEBRUARY 2008

Things are not looking good for PB reserves as they slumped to their
second successive heavy defeat, this time at the hands of Rohan FC.

Following a mix up over pitch bookings, PB found themselves playing a
home fixture at Norman Park. Rohan had beat PB 4-1 earlier in the season
at the same venue but hopes where high that PB could take revenge and
get back on track in the league.

The signs weren't good however with McCarthy absent and Ashioti almost
definitely out for the rest of the campaign following surgery on a
shoulder injury. To make things even more difficult, PB lost the toss
and were left to play into the sun for the first half.

From the off it was clear PB were going to struggle with Rohan charging
out of the blocks at full pelt. They were first to every ball, winning
every challenge and left PB with virtually no time in possession. This
put PB under constant pressure which quickly led to the first Rohan goal
as the alert striker latched on to a treaded through ball to slot pass
Willmott.

PB are not good at coming back from behind and conceding the first goal
was a real blow. There was more than enough time to retrieve the
situation though and P.Partridge tried to rally the team. This seemed to
work as PB slowly started to get a foot hold in the game putting
together some good moves in the opposition half and threatening the
goal.

This momentum was quickly broken however, as in an almost carbon copy of
the first goal, the Rohan striker again picked up a through ball and
scored past Willmott. This second goal seemed to cause PB to hit the
self destruct button and what followed for the remainder of the half was
not a good advert for the team.

The Partridge brothers nearly came to blows following a rash challenge
from G.Partridge after which the PB skipper stepped in to have a word
and try and clam the situation down. This led G.Partridge to walk of the
pitch in protest but luckily for the team he returned soon after.
G.Sparrow also picked up a booking for mouthing off to the ref following
what appeared to be double standards with regards to offside decisions.
All this did no help PB and as concentration was lost, Rohan banged in
another two goals. The first came from a curled shot from the edge of
the box into the top corner after the ball was not cleared properly. The
second was probably the worst goal PB have conceded all season as the
Rohan midfielder dribbled his way into the penalty area beating several
players, before reaching the byline where he passed the ball home from
what looked like an impossible angle. The finish was good but his run
should have been stopped long before.

Half time 4-0

Pete Sparrow thought he had a difficult half time team talk last week
but that was child's play compared to today. He rightly ripped into the
team and tried to get everyone focussed on the second half, leaving the
disaster that was the first half well and truly behind.

The team talk obviously worked as PB came out for the second half
looking like a different team. Passing was much better and the boys were
finally playing as a team, creating chances and causing the Rohan
defenders real problems for the first time in the game. The pressure
paid off as G.Sparrow sent a lovely curling shot into the top right hand
corner. With not long gone in the half, there was still a slim hope that
PB could get something out of the game. G.Sparrow then had a good free
kick attempt from the edge of the box bravely charged down by the wall
and Knight had yet another goal disallowed after the ref judged he
fouled the Rohan defender although it appeared as if he just muscled him
off the ball.

In a similar fashion to last week however, these missed opportunities
ended any hope for PB to get back into the game and a fifth goal for
Rohan following a swift counter attack put the nail in the coffin.

Every PB player was disappointed as the final whistle was blown as they
had matched Rohan in the second period, with the score for the half
being 1-1. If they could have only played the first half as they did the
second, the result may well have been different.

Full time 5-1

Something needs to change to end the rot. If this form continues for the
rest of the season, PB will find themselves near the bottom of the
league rather than up at the top pushing for promotion where they feel
they should be.

Man of the match: No one! Poor performance by all with no one deserving
a special mention

Team: Willmott, Li (Bioletti), Rutherford, A. O'Shaughnessy, Li, T. O'Shaughnessy, Sparrow, P.Partridge, Vlasyuk , Knight, Paine

Subs not used: