ASB Fell to there 3rd league defeat of the season at Rotherham, which surely rules them out of contention for the title. Once again we failed to take a big enough squad up north to a crucial game which ultimately led to our downfall. With a couple of key players in the squad I really think the outcome would have been a lot different.

The team lined up as follows:-

GK : Juzza
RB : Orville LB : Frange
CB : Tina & Task
RM : Nick LM : Slouch
CM : Riz & Mungo
S : Jordan & Dinul

The game started a bit cagey, neither team really looking to force the issue. The swirling wind combined with a very small pitch made things difficult for either side to really pass the ball. Nothing really happened in the opening 15/20 minutes, Rotherham forced a couple of corners which the ASB defence dealt with comfortably, they were always gonna have to be on there toes with goal machine Steve Burns who has notched over 30 goals already this season, always a threat.
 
ASB started to show signs of promise as the half wore on, we tried to get the ball down and play it around, Riz using the wings as often as he could and Mungo trying to support Jordan and Dinul in attack but for all our possession we were only restricted to a few long range shots that never really looked like testing the Rotherham keeper.

Then about 10 minutes before half time disaster struck, Rotherham had an attack down our left which was cut out for a corner. The ball was swung over deep to the far post where the Rotherham midfielder nodded it back into the danger zone and there was Burns on hand to head home from no more than 2 yards out. This was a real blow to ASB as they had just started to get back into the game at this point and had been defending so well to this point until Burns popped up for his usual goal against us.

Riz and Jordan had an altercation which the ref had to step in to calm both of them down. Its not nice to see team mates arguing but its also nice to see both players wanting to win. The ref blew for half time soon after and ASB were a goal down.

1-0 HT

ASB made a change at half time, Jordan came off and Immy replaced him in attack. Rotherham kicked off the 2nd half and you could clearly see there intentions of holding onto there 1-0 scoreline and try and catch us on the break whenever possible and they did look dangerous when they did catch us on the break. We had all of the possession and play but just lacked that cutting edge, the more we pushed forward, the more we looked vulnerable to a Rotherham breakaway, they had an attack down there right which resulted in a shot from outside the area which flew just past Juzza's right post, Tina was keeping the big man upfront quiet but the danger for ASB was on the wings with Rotherham's pace and power causing a few problems but ASB still had all the play.
 
Our build up play is a joy to watch but we seem to be lacking a cutting edge upfront, someone who has the confidence and ability to put the ball in the back of the net. ASB made another change, with Iain coming on to replace Frange and we decided to go all out attack for the remainder of the game. Jordan pushed Tina into a more advanced position and decided to go with 3 at the back leaving Orville and Task to deal with Mr Burns. In the dying minutes we had a blatant penalty shout turned away by the ref, every ASB player appealed but to Rotherham's relief the ref waved it away. It was a real homer decision and one that cost us a chance to draw level.

The game petered out and Rotherham held on quite comfortably after the penalty scare. Homer blew for full time and ASB's hopes of regaining the title had disappeared. Everyone who made the trip to Rotherham should be proud of themselves after putting in such a brave effort and those who didn't, for whatever reason need to take a good look at themselves. It was frustrating to have only 13 players for the game and with key players also not travelling it was always going to be tough. We just seem to be lacking belief in front of goal at the moment but im sure we can rebuild in the summer. There's still a chance we can snatch 2nd place in the league and get a medal that I think we all deserve but were still gonna have to work very hard to achieve that.

Man of the match: Tina

Orville.