Gunners suffered a narrow defeat in their first game of the season. Gunners were not at full strength today and started slowly with Shinfield looking the better team in the first ten minutes. Gunners found it difficult to string any passes together and looked vulnerable early on.
After a few tactical switches, Gunners began to look more solid at the back although failed to have any real possession going forward relying too much on a high or quick ball to chase. Shinfield took the lead towards the end of the first half when a high ball into the box was challenged by several players although the Gunners keeper was adjudged to have fouled an opponent and a penalty was given which was subsequently converted.
Gunners then started to look a little more assured and played a neat move starting from Carl Littlechild to Beppe although this did not result in an scoring opportunity. Gunners did have a couple of half chances from a corner but did not overly trouble the Shinfield keeper.
At the other end of the field, James had to make a couple of saves including a shot which he hooked off the line with this foot. The kept to score down to 1-0 at half time. In the second half Gunners were reduced to 10 men early on when Gunners only substitute came on and then suffered a hamstring injury after 5 minutes and had to leave the field of play. Gunners were forced to see out the remaining 40 minutes a man down.
Shinfield had more possession but were unable to create many scoring opportunities with the defence holding firm. At the other end of the field Steve Smith had an early chance to level when he had a header on goal which went wide. The game started to follow a pattern of Shinfield having more of the play and possession but failing to create many clear cut opportunities. Despite the Gunners defence starting to tire and looking more and more stretched, they held firm when it mattered.Gunners were limited to counter attacking on the break and Mike Olivier created a couple of breaks after he made a couple of interceptions. Gunners created a good opportunity to score when a long throw from Mike was cleared and fell into Beppe's path but his shot went wide.
With 5 minutes to go, Gunners sensed an opportunity to get a draw (despite being a man down) and pushed an extra man up front and this move was rewarded when Marcus Randles played a high cross into the box and Paul Ali was bundled over in the box when he attempted to shield the ball. Unfortunately, Paul Ali's penalty was saved by the keeper and Gunners missed out on a great opportunity to earn the draw. The last minute or two ran out leaving Gunners losing 1-0. There were a number of good performances from Gary Van Der Mortel and Marcus Randles who worked very hard up front by himself for the majority of the game. However, Gunners "Man of the Match" was Peter Ali for a solid game in defence.
Match Facts
MOM : Pe Ali
Team
Pictures
