Holmes_and_Watson

And there we go... gettting it into Mara. We had a bit of space on the break. Fraser with a good run. Ball was behind Mara who did well, turned and blasted it in. Nice finish, and deserved. He's done okay today.

Fraser lively and gets a ball in. But Smallbone's flick would have had to have been something special from that angle, and it comes to nothing. Better to have got it in there, for Mara.

Twice we've tried little dummies to noone. Alcaraz's pass didn;t get angled for Mara to get on the end of it. We've created all of a single effort I think this half. Subs can;t be far off 60mins.

Nice form Alcaraz, but Smallbone this time trying something smart. Agian, considering his position he should be making somehting of that himself. Meanwhile, they get a ball across our box behind the defence, but ahead of their attack.

Safety would suggest he'll be one of those subbed. Meanwhile, we give it away casually. Holgate this time. A little rocket required here to get full control back here.

Interesting, that their keeper thumpes it up to where we'd normally have a gap at full-back. Our eleven today a little different, and Holgate there to deal with it. Stephens kindly gives them an opportunity for a shot. It will take us shooting ourselves in the foot to give this away. But a reminder a second would allow that to happen without changing the outcome.

Nice stuff to start off the half. Lots of players in their box. Mara quite physical in there. Smallbone laying off a good pass too.

Lower possession, as Wallsall had a little more of the ball as the half went on. As noted, lots of balls that we could have made better passes from. Of the chances we did create, well, we're going to need a lot more, to be putting many of them in the net. Lots of positives though. Meghoma started brightly and SAA looked fine. Pleased to see him get minutes again, and he'll improve with more. A thing I've notied with Stephens' return is that he'll push the team up the park. Charles holds a lot. But Smallbone is having to revert to a couple of different roles, as he's no longer required so much to link everything up, with more direct passes going past him. We've seen him get a few shooting opportunities today. It's an area where's he'll be improving over time. While he lost his man for their effort on goal, he's been willing to pick up passes, get into positions to shoot and put in a good shift. Decision making just letting us down a bit. But no hiding or heads going down as a result. Alcaraz and Mara both eager to attack. Just need that bit of awareness and composure.

Nice and direct there, to shake things up. Stephens out to Fraser and then across the area.

SAA takes a yellow for the team there. It was his running into players, depserate to get a shot away that gave the ball away. Good he was tracking back. They got more space than they should have done on the break.

As Mara had the better chance to pass to Fraser earler. Alcaraz had a better pass out into Fraser in space. However, he went for the shot. This time the keeper couldn;t hold it and Mara wasn't far away. Sometimes, it;s worth having the effort. And having the confidence to do so.

Alcaraz with the three runner, instead plays the pass to his right. And it's not a complete pass, and he then gives away the foul. Just one of many examples where we would create a lot more actual cahnces, with the right decision making.

Smallbone gets the shot away. More because he was in a position where he thought he should get a shot away, rather than with any conviction it was going in.

Straight at Lumley. Foul, but just a reminder of the single goal lead. Hopefully, it will drive us a bit.

Mara did have Alcaraz in a better poisiton. But after his miss, I've no issue with him taking on the effort. SAA nearly got a cut-back. Only the one effort on target still, I think though.

Oh. Mara with a golden chance. SAA could have squared it to Smallbone, but did eventually get it to Fraser. Alcaraz seemed to have picked up a little knock. He wasn;t wanting the ball there.

Normally a yellow there. I guess the ref thought Mara had hit iit too far ahead of himself anyway. We're doing Bazball with Lumley. A little bit rustier, but we're stickign to our principles. Just as we're sticking to a 1 goal lead with tons of possession. 🙂

I htought that, considering his positions, Smallbone would have at least tried to turn and shoot. Their defence was ina little muddle. Could see what he was trying, with the net ball being across behind him. But he had an opportunity himself. Elsewhere, good defensive header from Holgate. Strength, and awareness to get it up and forward. Both Stephens and THB happy to get forward with the passes, while Charles sits to mop up anything that comes back.

Alcaraz did well in making some space for himself. FInish nto so good. Loads of passing and it probably needed Stephens being the one to start to get it more direct. THB followed shortly after.

Alcaraz one footed. We had 3 in the box and he had time to get the ball in, rather than stop, think and cut back.

Nice again from Meghoma. Cross into Mara. Need to get a few more of these on target.

Meghoma starting well. Nice link up with him and Fraser there.

Lumley channelling his inner Baz there.

Deep, direct pass for the assist.

Fraser!!!