Best game of the Season

It was destined to be close and the prediction was that it would be the best game of the season. Both predictions were kind of correct - it was a 1-1 game and it was not a bad game that Chelsea actually played.
We probably should have buried Brighton in the first 15 minutes of the game - when we had ample opportunity to inflict damage - but we only came away with 1 goal to Alec D. We out-passed them and put loads of pressure on their defense but they were able to clear quite a few times to a deep option who gave us some problems up front. They too had a couple of chances - but I don't believe either team was playing to their potential. We certainly were not!
We had loads of play but kept losing it in midfield because we were not checking. When we worked it up front we had undisciplined play by players trying to beat 2 and even 3 players. There was hardly any passing back, and there must have been 5 or 6 opportunities to have had a shot with a left foot too, but we failed to take that chance. Instead we lost the ball anyway by trying to come back on to our right foot. It was frustrating.
As we made more mistakes in the midfield, we put more pressure on our defenders, who stopped then playing out wide. We had no runners out wide, to drive the ball in at angles. Guys failed to work the ball into space, because we lacked run out the side. We forced it through the middle when the play was simply not there and often kicked directly to an opponent.
Despite our errors and lack of run, we still had a 1-0 lead with three minutes left. Then we made a series of silly errors that somehow ended up in a penalty - which was taken brilliantly - and the game ended at 1-1.
Nathan B played great and was ably supported by Luke Strik and Olly Chadwick. Daniel B worked hard but gets tired quickly as we always go to him - we need someone to step up on the left side. Alec D played a strong game as did Daniel A and Luis. As a team, I think we have the best 3-4 in the competition and they need to continue to work together and gain chemistry.
We broke down in the attacking third as we often took too long to make choices, or tried to take on too many players. I would like to play them again on a bigger pitch as I think that would have helped us. I believe we outplayed them and hopefully we all learned that there is no need to put more pressure on oursleves in big games. We need to stick to our system. Next week we play Chelsea Red - and they will be really fired up to do well against us. We will have a few players missing next week  - Olly, Liam R, Alec - and so this gives folks a big opportunity to show that they deserve their spot on the pitch.