Another week another defeat for the Ghosts. This week's exorcisers were league leaders RS2. However, despite the defeat, it wasn't all doom and gloom, as Ghostie fanatics got their first look at Alex Civello and Rob Edmonds both making their first appearance in the ghoulish grey-blue of the Illusionistas.
This week's pre-match crisis was an injury to superstar water-carrier and pin-up Tom Stewart. Poltergeist supporters had noticed that Stewart had reneged on his promise to remain unshaven until he could force a Ghostly victory and took direct action. This morning, Stewart was lucky to survive a violent hammer attack to the knee.
While unable to play he was able to test out the fantastic dugout facilities at the Stanley Deason ArenA as he commanded his troops from the bench.
RS2 are the league leaders and started this clash confidently. The defence, sured up by Civello was more resilient than in recent weeks and the Ghosts more than held their own in the early stages.
Whilst creating little, they held of the early attacks from RS2.
Eventually the breakthrough came and The Ghosts were supremely unlucky with RS2's first goal, which came from a shot from a tight angle bouncing off the post, hitting goalkeeper Gill on the back of the leg and trickling across the line.
Moments before half time the Ghosts came within a whisker of equalizing. Miller's low hard shot from the right wing was punched by the opposition goalkeeper to the feet of Rob Edmonds yards from the goal. He was, however, unable to adjust his body quick enough and his effort skidded just past the left post.
Seconds later RS2 had a chance to double their lead, with their striker through for a one-on-one, Rob Gill cleverly committed a professional foul sliding in to tackle (breaking the no-slide tackle rule). He gave away a free kick but prevented a certain goal.
The Ghosts could hold their heads high, only trailing to a lucky goal. However, the sucker punch was soon to be felt with RS2's second and third goals coming soon after half time. Although 3-0 flattered RS2, the Ghosts' defence was brutally exposed by the League leaders' fast-flowing counter attacks.
The heads of the Ghosts clearly dropped. Despite the encouragement of gaffer Tom Stewart, they were lacking in the final third.
However, top scorer Brett Crossingham was able to exploit a defensive mistake after pressuring the defender into making a weak backpass. Nicking in between goalkeeper and defender, latching onto the misplaced pass to smash home for his fifth goal of the season.
The Ghosts sensed a comeback and took control of the game. Civello and Crossingham both firing inches over. The also came close when Crossingham was heavily fouled, firing over from the resultant free kick. As the Ghosts pressed, their opponents were clearly rattled and on one occasion smashed a clearance straight into the genitals of a player warming up on the touchline for the next game. This led to a small fracas as RS2's players argued that the game should be stopped. This was a red rag to Rob Edmonds' bull and he nicked the ball of the time-wasting RS2 player to quickly take the throw. Whilst RS2 players complained in vain to the referee that the slightly uncomforted spectator was a reason to stop play, the Ghosts again came close.
In the final minute the tired Ghosts conceded their fourth as lax defending let in RS2's towering defender to score.
The end of the game brought no respite for the Ghosts who had to contend with and eventually flee an unknown violent creature intent on attacking El Illusionistas. This creature was in many ways similar to a hornet.
During the post-match inquiry, Civello said "We weren't fit enough, simple as that".
This was the Ghosts' third consecutive defeat, and although the score, yet again, didn't reflect the course of the game, many areas of Ghostly play are in need of improvement. Today's other results, which included a point for relegation rivals The Grand only make next weeks clash with the aforementioned team a do-or-die fixture.
Ghosts line-up:
Gill; Civello, Miller; Edmonds; Crossingham
Scorers:
Crossingham 1
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FC Red Snapper 2-2 The Grand
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