Won 2 - 1 v Old Esthameians (H), SAL Intermediate Div 2

Norsemen Reserves make tough work of Esthameians.
 
Norsemen picked up 3 points today with a 2 1 win over Esthameians playing some very attractive first half football. In what was possibly the best half of footy to date, Norsemen opened the scoring through a Cass Weaver strike which was quickly followed by Michael Herbert with his second for the year. Both goals came from the left side where Tom Collier was enjoying his role further forward as a result of having a left back in the team. Good interplay between Collier, Dan Williams, Weaver and Roland Hunt, who put in another superb performance, had Esthameians on the back foot on many occasions and it was only some overplaying inside the area that saw Norsemen fail to score more before the break. (Weaver missed from 2 yards at best!)

The second half had a different look to it with Esthameians gaining some parity. It was still Norsemen who had the better opportunities to kill the game off with Williams and Collier missing with very good chances. 
With 20 minutes to go the score became 2 1 when an Esthameians player was allowed to dribble unchecked into the box through a host of players before slotting passed Dave Stephenson in goal. It was the first real lapse for the Norsemen defense and was costly as it raised the opposition confidence. 

Confidence that got boosted further when Stephenson was sent of for retaliating to an off the ball kick that went unseen by the referee. No matter what was or wasn't seen, it was not the right way to respond in the situation and placed the team under more undue pressure. With the difficulties we have faced this season the last thing we need is to bring it on ourselves like that.

In what was a frantic final 10 minutes, Collier stepped up in goal and was also the subject of an off the ball elbow that went unseen. Tempers flared further when Esthameians challenged at the drop ball, enhancing frictions between these two teams which go back a few years. 

A last ditch tackle where Collier forgot he could use his hands and a clearance saw the final whistle and a jubilant Norsemen climb off the foot of the ladder with the 3 points gained. A win but a win which should have been slightly more comfortable. Bring on Old Stationers next week where back to back wins beckon.