Brantham Athletic continued their pursuit of league leaders Wroxham after recording an important home victory against well-travelled CRC on Saturday.
In somewhat fortunate circumstances, it was the hosts who led 1-0 at the break after what CRC Coach Mark Bonner labelled a "soft goal".
"We had to display some good defending at times in the first half. Brantham caused us some problems down our right-hand side and put a number of crosses into the box which in the main we dealt with well.
They created some good chances for themselves on a couple of occasions, but failed to really test our goalkeeper. We generally defended well, but were so nearly punished on the occasions where we didn't stop crosses or defend the back post. Twice they were in one-against-one, which we dealt with well, after our covering defenders were too high and flat.
These are all small details that will make the unit much stronger and tougher to break down. We must continue to work at this to improve on the clear iprogress already made in recent weeks.
The goal came after 35 minutes and was too soft. A poor defensive header followed by hesitant defending, waiting for the goalkeeper who didn't come to swallow the ball up. This indecision needs to be eradicated. Your instinct is more often than not correct. Make a decision and act fast! This ball had to be cleared.
It was frustrating to trail at half time after a good opening 45 minutes. It took a little time to settle into the game and the pitch, which was extremely boggy in the centre. This led to people losing their footing and meant we had to take extra care with our passing and protection skills.
We need to work at our ball protection skills and one v one defending. These two areas need improvement and were apparent throughout the game. Too often we get caught in possession as we do not transfer the ball quick enough or well enough. Also, laziness or impatience results in us trying to regain the ball wrong side of people. We commit so many fouls because of this.
We did however play some patient football in the opening 45 and created some decent chances, with our wide men having the beating of the home side's full backs.
The second half though was probably our best of the season. We were on the front foot from the very start. We completed so many passes and showed good range in our play, mixing quick combination play with bigger passes to stretch the opposition.
We looked comfortable and confident for 25 minutes and despite not scoring a goal this is where we have to make continued gains in our technical work, awareness, and understanding to do this more often, and for longer.
We had a lot of set plays and entries into the final third in this spell and looked a threat all over the pitch. Sam Hope and Yacine Gnahore came closest to scoring the equaliser, Sam mis-hitting the ball square on with the goal keeper from 10 yards after a great defence splitting pass from Macca Richards. Yacine was on the end of a flowing side to side move, chest and volleying against the upright.
We need to show more character however and not give up on it as easily. We need to be able to continually play this way whether we are being rewarded or not. We worked so well and played so well for no reward and then became frustrated and emotional. We lost our way forcing passes and over complicating the game.
The second goal in the 80th minute killed the game for us. We gave away a free kick in the corner and didn't defend the cross well enough. It was a superb finish from the home side but preventable on our part. The game was seen out well by Brantham, but we take many positives on a much improved performance from last weekend's victory over Great Yarmouth.
With just three games throughout February, we now have a chance for a month of intense work and development to make the gains technically, physically, mentally and tactically that are sometimes difficult to work on during busy fixture schedules."
Team; Salsano, Hancock, Westwood, Richards (Smith), Parr, Allen, Kabodi, Hope (Taylor), Ingrey, Gnahore (Howell), Hurst
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