Men's 2XI vs Gillingham 2

This outing for the 2s was probably the LEAST popular of away games in the 2's league calendar.

A long journey to a game is never fun, and Gillingham, around 90 minutes away, down many slow country roads is even more of a form of torture, especially when they seem to win most of their home games and lose more often than not away.

Whilst most of us managed to arrange lifts and plan with no complications, one amongst us decided that a 2 and a half hour journey by train, with 2 changes, was an easier option rather than spending time with his team mates. Hmm, I think he might feel otherwise!

Thankfully, we were all at the pitch in good time for the game and warmed up with words of encouragement from Loz and Daryl, and talk of starting strong and getting on top of the game early.

This didn't happen. We still have a tendency to start slow and grow into games, and this was no exception. 2 minutes in, still establishing who was marking who, and which were the threats amongst them, and we were 1-0 down. A well won short corner and a clever routine giving them a deflection at the near post into the net put them ahead and we were chasing.

This early disadvantage kick started a fight back, with the intensity of our passing and movement improving throughout the half, and we began shutting them down every time they picked up the ball and making them really fight to have any time to create.

This continued for the rest of the half, with strong play from both teams, and chances being created, but not converted.

With 27 minutes on the clock, Will Boyd won a short corner after some strong Gillingham tackling, and a strong drag flick low into the bottom corner from Lucca Stead saw us back on level terms and wanting more.

Then, 33 minutes, another short corner, and a 2nd goal for the team. A strong push out and a good clean stop, Jack O'Brien moved into the D and, to the surprise of all including himself, struck cleanly into the bottom corner off the inside of the post.

2-1 up and half time nearly upon us, we locked the game down and saw out the remainder of the half.

The half time talk from Boyd (Extremely) senior, Loz and Daryl focused on shutting down the game, pushing for another goal and controlling ourselves

The 2nd half was a real battle. Gillingham pushing to try to get the goal back, and SHC pushing to get a goal ahead and close off the game.

Gillingham continued to win more and more short corners, and the Southampton defence stood resolate, with Archie's feet impersonating the old clown feet and pretty much getting in the way of every ball moving in the D.

Whilst we did manage to shut them out, unfortunately we weren't quite successful at keeping our mouths shut, and, after a few queries by some of us on some very interesting unpiring decisions, Will Boyd was the unfortunate recipient of a green on 60 for explaining the error of her ways to the umpire, which, despite him being technically correct, she did not fully appreciate.

With approx 20 to go, Gillingham won a short corner and after moving the ball around the D, a reverse stick hit into the top of the D was given as a goal and Gillingham were back on level terms.

Thankfully, this was quickly and correctly overturned, with the 2nd umpire having to explain to a smiling ex manager now umpiring, that the first hit had to be beneath the backboard from a short corner. Was nice to see the smile fade from his face.

With the team working hard as a unit, causing their game to become further stretched, we couldn't quite get the 3rd goal to put it to bed.

Our defence kept pushing them back and it continued to frustrate them, and whilst they began to win alot of short corners, mainly from not quite so clever footwork from Archie, they didn't manage to break through, and they became more desperate, making errors which allowed us to force them back again and again.

Nearing the final whistle we instigated our version of yoga, taking the ball into the corners and slowing things down to take some of the pressure off our defence.

Thankfully, not much was needed and, whilst some had over 38 minutes played in the half on the watches, we eventually saw the end of the game and 3 points to the travelling team.

Man of the match was given to Brendan for relentless work in the middle of the pitch, and preparations and plans turned to our top of the table clash with Hamble next week.

If anyone is in the Hamble are and wants to watch a clash of 2 league titans, it's a 2pm game at the Sports Centre. Should be a doozy!