We knew that we were in for a tough game today against a team that always finishes at the top end of the division and had a convincing win last week. We were unfortunate to have 9 players unavailable for various reasons but were still able to name a team that were capable of claiming 3 points if everyone put in a solid performance.

Villa were clearly a well organised team who like to get the ball forward as quickly as possible, putting pressure on our defence and being aggressive in aerial situations.

We played some decent football from the off, looking to move the ball around and make our opposition do the running. It was especially important today that we made the ball do the work as we were playing on the ridiculously large pitch 1 at Shalford and it was also stupidly hot. But for all our possession through the centre of midfield and in defence we lacked penetration up top and failed to test the Villa keeper.

As the game wore on Villa seemed to be winning the vast majority of the 50-50's and were pushing our defence for a mistake. After 15 minutes the pressure on our defence showed as we failed to take control of a bouncing ball in the penalty box and the striker nipped in and finished past AC 0-1.

As we looked to respond we found some space down the wings but the large pitch did us no favours and we failed to support the play and didn't have enough players in the box looking for a cross. 25 minutes in and we conceded a corner, we didn't mark closely enough and a Villa player rose first to the out swinging cross and headed into the top corner 0-2.

It stayed this way until half time and despite everyone being knackered due to the heat we were confident that the game wasn't lost yet. We had a massive share of possession but needed to cut out the lapses of concentration, especially at the back.

The second half was played much in the same fashion as the first, we again had the majority of the possession but were not making any use of it and the keeper was hardly tested. Additionally we were now making mistakes in our own half and giving up the ball too easily which was putting the defence and AC under unnecessary pressure.

As the heat got worse and we picked up injuries we looked second best to Villa, as we pushed forward for goals we became vulnerable at the back and conceded 2 further goals that both seemed to happen in much the same way 0-4. With just a few minutes to go we conceded again when a through ball was picked up by the Villa striker who rounded AC, unfortunate for us as he was a good 5 yards offside but wasn’t given the decision 0-5.

It finished 5-0 at full time, I think the score line was a little harsh on us but ultimately the better team won. If we are to realise our potential this season we need to cut out the lapses of concentration, particularly at the back, as we will get punished by our opposition where as last season we would have got away with it. Important that we don't give ourselves a hard time for the result today, we will have many easier games this season and we will continue to improve with time.

Everybody love everybody

Guildford Albion FC

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