The central point to make about this game is that a hard-won draw was obtained against superior opposition by a team effort...

The central point to make about this game is that a hard-won draw was obtained against superior opposition by a team effort. The absence of Ellison meant that McGrath played in defence from which area he was able to organise the resistance which effectively restricted Campomaiorense to one or two chances.

Against good forwards, the defence covered, intercepted, tracked and tackled competently, and found time to alert their midfield colleagues to potentially dangerous situations. This last point is significant: good communication is very important in the overall organisation of the team. Hyde, in particular, has improved markedly in this respect. In short, the performance of the back five deserves praise for providing the bedrock of the team performance. Brown at right-back played an exemplary game against younger and quicker opposition, winning the ball consistently and competing manfully – as he always does.

Vets2 was set up to keep the game tight from the kick-off by the employment of a 4-5-1 formation, and had the ideal start against a somewhat lethargic Campomaiorense. Some simple passing and movement in midfield culminated in a tidy pass from Gallagher H. to Knott who had run intelligently into space. The resulting shot flew past the goalkeeper into the top right-hand corner. He was not to be troubled again as the opposition gained the upper hand, scoring a well-struck equaliser with an angled drive shortly thereafter.

Nonetheless, the game was by no means a one-sided affair. Graham rose to the challenge of playing as a lone forward, demonstrating clever movement and sensibly holding the ball until he could bring others into play, and both Knott and Gallagher H. ran strongly in support. Indeed, the latter showed surprisingly deft skills on several occasions, initiating attacks whilst never losing sight of his main responsibility to provide defensive cover.

The second half saw the appearance of Currie, Weaver and Gaukroger in place of Graham, Knott and Donnelly. There was no real change in the pattern of the game. Vets2 was again second-best, but not outclassed, and played a good deal of football. While the passing was occasionally wayward – in difficult conditions – the fact that the team attempted to play the ball along the ground was encouraging.

The usual proper football by Gaukroger, Roosen’s willingness to work for the team and hard running from Weaver and Currie all played their role in maintaining a decent level of football. In spite of the opposition’s dominance and the loss of Gallagher H. to a probable muscle tear, the game ended with neither goalkeeper having to make a difficult save. Occasionally, a team earns a point through effort, organisation and teamwork. This was one such occasion. Next week, British United might well present a more formidable challenge.