Veterans locked out - of club and game

It was a day to forget for Wilmslow Albion Veterans today as they were taught a footballing lesson by bottom of the table Prestfield at Oakwood Farm. The day got off to a poor start when a lack of communication meant that the team were locked out of their own clubhouse and changing facilities. After frantic phonecalls a set of nets were found and the game went ahead after a delayed kick off.

Both teams started brightly and it was evident that the Prestfield team were going to be no pushover despite their one point from seven games this season. Indeed Albion were the first to be put under pressure and after constantly giving away cheap free kicks, they finally conceded when a free kick from the edge of the area was met by the unmarked Prestfield player Brown who headed past King to make it 0-1 after 12 minutes. Far from rising to the challenge, Albion's play deteriorated and they were being taken apart by some neat Prestfield passing.

It wasn't long before a through ball was latched onto by the clearly offside Prestfield player Dawes just inside Albions half. Instead of chasing the player Albion stood static and watched on as he cooly slotted past King.

More sloppy play and Man of the Match King bailed his outfield players out when he miraculously made a series of four point blank saves to deny Prestfield.

Frustration then lead to Jackson S being booked for dissent and it was clear that it was not Albions day. On the rare occasions Albion threatened the Prestfield goal, the chances were squandered. Half time arrived and changes were made.

Whilst fielding an array of subs in the second half, Albion could still not seem to gain any momentum and the performance continued to lack any quality or threat to the Prestfield team. Indeed it was Prestfield who were finding it a walk in the park, constantly breaking through with some neat passing play and Albion were getting frustrated.

It was no surprise when a seemingly innocuous challenge that went in favour of Albion, lead to handbags between several players. Hands were raised and the result was a second booking for Jackson S and with Albion down to 10 men, the recovery was now nigh on impossible. Indeed the game dragged on for another tedious 15 minutes before the referee put Albion out of their misery.

This display was by far the worst this season. Poor passing, lack of ideas, ill discipline, bad finishing, apathy and a general lack of fitness proved costly. Albion Veterans could be snatching defeat from the jaws of victory as far as promotion is concerned. With two other teams now in contention for the second promotion slot, Albion can afford no more dropped points.

Today will be a wake up call to the team and after a lot of soul searching, better performances will be needed in future.