Middlesborough Promotion Play-offs – Semi-finals 1st Leg
There were five changes to the side to face Middlesbrough in the play-off semi-final first leg, but we expected returns for Bree, Manning and Downes, plus Azaz if he was fit (he was), while Larin played instead of Stewart in their job share arrangement. If our man in the bushes at the heart of the Spygate scandal learned anything, it would have been that Boro would attack down the wings, and they were to cause plenty of problems that way. The result shows that our defence coped well, the problem was that the ball kept coming back towards them as Saints failed not only to get very far over the halfway line but also to keep possession for any time. Larin was getting little out of his battle with Fry and when he finally won one tussle, he promptly lost the ball when it was played back to him and Boro were bearing down on goal, three on two; McGree played in Conway whose first time shot came back out after seemingly hitting the inside of the post. Conway was expected to be the home side’s chief attacking threat but he had earlier taken too long over a clear chance and allowed Bree to make a desperate block. All in all Saints recorded just 26% possession in the opening half, and most of that must have been in some long-winded goal-kick routines that caused a few time wasting warnings for Peretz. Despite our worst 45 minutes since the second half on this same ground, there were no personnel changes at the break but at least we began with some attacking purpose and Larin got on the end of Fellows’ cross only to head wide. It soon seemed that normal Middlesbrough service was being resumed, at least until Stewart came on after an hour to provide more of a threat. Eyes had been on the clock since the interval as the draw looked our only possible positive result – however as it ticked on, Boro began to run out of ideas and, unthinkably at half time, Southampton looked the more likely to score. They came close as well, with Harwood Bellis heading Manning’s free kick firmly against the bar and then great work by Charles and Stewart found Edozie who seemed to have done everything right only for his shot to drift just wide of the post. There was no doubt which set of supporters were happier with the afternoon, although all will have known that this affair is far from over.
Three LSSC Man of the Match candidates to choose from:
6. Taylor Harwood-Bellis, a massive presence at the heart of an overworked defence.
14. James Bree, less troubled by Conway than Manning had been by Whittaker, plus there was that great block.
15. Nathan Wood-Gordon. Never going to be as accomplished a defender as TH-B and individual battles are always a challenge, but an immense contributor to the clean sheet.
Become a Member
Become a member of London Saints from as little as £5.