Sunday 9th Nov 2008 (OTC 3 - C/Field 1)

What a day to remember, it would appear that we almost respected the minutes silence for a full forty minutes.Not our best first half performance, some of the changes did not work out and I take a degree of the blame for that, still does not excuse our often woeful football. We lacked a bit of composure from time to time, so often we swung our legs at the ball and missed ! Thankfully we came in on level terms thanks to a free kick that was won by Jake, Jamie dispatched it superbly to raise the mood and the tempo. My half time talk was quite easy, don't repeat the performance of the first, put a foot on the ball and choose your pass, want the ball and win the ball, if nothing else Cranfield knew how to battle and were determined. We were a completely different team in the second, the back four challenging for everything and winning most of the ball, clearing our lines long when we had to. The work rate second half was immense, so many lads ran themselves into the ground today and your effort in the second half was there for all to see. Jake Stokes scored his second of the season, converting a Jamie cross from the left hand side. That really enabled us to settle down and use the ball intelligently, summed up in our third goal that is a serious goal of the season contender. Jamie rolled an excellent ball down the line to Ollie Carmichael who then did what he does best, a first time cross with power and accuracy.................Mr Parker rose at the back post and showed great determination to head the ball beyond the helpless Cranfield keeper. As I always say don't carry the negatives about with you, your second half performance was immense and never have you fought harder for three points. On remembrance Sunday I salute you all, questions were asked of you first half but they were emphatically answered in the second half. Well done and thanks from a very wet, cold but proud manager. MOTM today goes to Jake Stokes, he played a captains role today and out of position, led by example.......nearly spoilt by one moment of petulance that I have put down to frustration and a desire to win. Mr McLuckie ran him very, very close, played through the pain barrier today and started to show what he is really capable off.