Frimley Town 4ths 2 v 1 Rose and Thistle     (Division 3 League Match)

With only 5 games left this was always going to be the toughest one to call. Both teams evenly matched from past experience’s. 3 points for Frimley Towns pulls them back in the race and 3 points for Thistle gets them a step nearer the promotion they deserve.

Again, a full squad to choose from, well that is what the Manager thought!! But this is Thistle and we do nothing easy, so imagine my surprise that at 10 o’clock we were missing the following people - Gadsen, Leach, Oakey, Winnard, all of which were part of the team. So a pre match shuffle yet again bought unease to the camp. Leachy went to the wrong ground and just got here in time for the KO, Oakey had to rescue his girlfriend after she broke down (not much you can do about that), winnard no idea but turned up late and didn’t get changed and Gadsen who has played so well this season turning up without any kit/boots as he got in at 1am, yet got to the match on time? Anyway the team, in the end was - Conetta, Lindley, Leach, Gray, Marsden, Bunce, Marshall, Harris, Holman, Waygood, Milburn Subs - Winnard, Davison, Sutton, Gadsen, Scales. Lindley taking up left back, which winnard would have started had he turned up on time, Marshall left hand side and Buncey right.

1st Half - Thistle looked slow out of the blocks yet again. A buoyant opposition took the game to Thistle and a penalty was nearly given in the first few minutes following a mistimed tackle in the defence. However it wasn’t long before Thistle finally picked up the tempo and start pressing the home team back into their own half. Some great long throws from MOM Milburn found Thistle going very close. However against the run of play and double footed tackle near our penalty box resulted in a freekick. The ref, who had an ok game, asked the 4 man wall to take a step back and the freekick went high. Ref blew and asked for it to be retaken. This time a shot went through (!!) the wall, a cardinal sin, and bounced right in front of Tony, 1-0 to Frimley Falcons. It was a hot day and the manager was making sure water was being taken on throughout the game. Thistle came back though following a terrific headed clearance by Jonny Awesome, this lead to break on the right and a nice ball into the centre found shinner to poke it home, 1-1. Thistle much the better team and going close over and over again, half time whistle went.

No changes at half time.

2nd Half - In this half it looked like Thistle had settled for a 1-1 draw. As the game progressed Marshall was getting slow and so the manager hauled him off to be replaced by Scales. Shortly after Buncey came off for Oakey, with Oakey taking the left back position and Lindley the right hand side. Those switches were probably a mistake switch by the manager in hindsight, but there we go. Harris was looking increasinig slower in the middle as Town went looking for the winner. And it came from a corner and was a peach of a shot. Their striker at the back post to thunder home off the bar a powerful shot, 2-1 Town. The guys worked hard up front and near the end Milburn nearly got the second after good work by Waygood but alas it was not to be. A 2-1 defeat.

Can I just say that I am disappointed with the lads that struggled to make it on time today for various reasons some which were totally unavoidable, some of which were definitely not. Its an important time for us all, promotion is a good thing not a bad one lets not take our foot off the gas. It might be that you are worried/nervous/afraid of going up BUT don’t be - its great to be successful.

M.O.M - Constant battling upfront and working his socks off for the team, its Carl Hollywood Milburn. Well done mate.