27th September 2009

HILLINGDON 1 RAMS 0

The Rams and their supporters begun the journey to one of the furthest trips they will embark on this season – down the M40 to Hillingdon. The Rams arrived in good spirits after their victory against Real last week and were strengthened by the return of Sean. However Arran was struck down by a mysterious sickness which kept one of the birthday boys out of this fixture. The Rams started with Connor in goal – Callum (second birthday boy) and Ben in defence – Jamie, Corey and James in midfield and Tom up front.

The game started with the Rams under pressure and Hillingdon winning the first corner – Hillingdon produced the early pressure and it took a great save by Connor to stop them taking an early lead. The Rams worked their way back into the game and Corey had a shot that went just wide. The game opened up and whilst Hillingdon pushed forward the Rams were matching them in energy. The first real chance for the Rams came as James surged down the right – passed the ball into Corey who touched the ball onto Tom who let fly with a shot that went just wide. This gave the Rams some impetus and a Corey corner was touched just over, Callum had a good shot saved, and James had a shot just wide. At the other end great defending by James and Ben shut out a determined Hillingdon attack. The half finished with a great tackle on Tom as he surged into the box and a James cross was sent just wide by Tom. HT 0-0

The Rams dominated the restart with James sending a shot just over the bar and a great free kick from Callum being well cleared in the area. Further pressure from Tom resulted in a shot from Sean going just over the bar. However Hillingdon were far from out of it and it took a great save from Jamie to tip the ball over the bar and then a save again from the corner. As the contest continued from end to end great work from Callum and James resulted in Corey sending the ball just over. The next attack saw the Rams unlucky not to take the lead as a goal mouth scramble saw Corey, James, Tom and Ben all have shots saved or blocked. Hillingdon produced a great save from Jamie, James hit the crossbar and Tom tangled with the opposition goal keeper – to the cries of penalty from the away supporters. But a short corner from Hillingdon was fired towards the goal catching the head of a Ram’s player completely wrong footing Jamie – 0-1. Time was too short to come back and the Rams had to reflect on a hard fought game that had not gone their way.

Ben won MOTM for a solid performance at the back.

Whilst anything can be proven or disproven by stats 17 attempts on goal for the Rams against 7 just goes to show how hard the boys fought in this game. However chances will not be easy this year and the boys will need to understand the importance of playing as a team to break oppositions down and the age old adage of taking your chances when they come.

Well done Rams – an unlucky defeat in hot conditions – other sides are finding it tougher too this season – keep believing and a well earned break from the league next week as the defence of the cup starts.

Stats – Corners – SYCOB – 4 – Hillingdon -4

Shots on target – SYCOB- 10 - Hillingdon – 4 off target – SYCOB- 7 – Hillingdon – 3

Attendance – 42 (including a number of well organised picknickers (Sarah) – Refreshments – not bad coffee......