FINAL SCORE:

Hardley..........................3 Tantamount FC........... 1

Report by Ben Howarth

Back to back games meant that a weary Tantamount didn't seem too keen on this game at the outset, but though the rough and tumble approach of Hardley has put them high up the league table, Tantamount always seem to do OK against them. But at one nil down, another defeat seemed an absolute certaincy. But no - tantamount clung on, and then began to claw their way back in. Charman was a manic figure, charging up the pitch and producing a string of painful and powerful diving tackles. Pilcher was more calm and composed, but equally effective in breaking down attacks, timing his challenges impeccably. Spencer, after a howler in the previous game, was on fine form, producing some strong saves, but also dealing calmly with the simpler stuff too. Hardley, despite their physical approach, are less bad tempered than other teams. Rather than panicing, they tried to keep possession and dig in  with their one goal lead. But with a loud crowd clearly rooting for the underdog, Tantamount kept working and seemed destined to get the equaliser.

Then, just as all was coming together, and a great contest was being enjoyed by all, the ref decided it was time to kill the game. The ball clearly went into the sidelines, but rolled back into the middle. The tantas stopped. Hardley had a shot, which went in. Unbelievably - and despite the protests of all the Mount fans and players, and the legendary Sunday Session keeper, the ref called it a goal. As in the previous match, the words "a bloody outrage" sprang to mind. Tantas were down, and did little to stop a third, scored by a good run from the goallie who has just came out onto pitch. It was a nice goal, but scored against a side whose heads were down. Tantas found one last burst of energy. Howarth fed the ball through to Moody, who scored a great goal, shooting with power and precision and claiming his third for the season. So 3-1 at the end, and though it was a defeat, it was also a great performance, and on another day, the Mount may have nicked the points.

Moody - got his 2nd of the season

LINE-UP: Spencer; B.Howarth, Pilcher, Charman; Jacobs SUBS: Moody

SCORERS: Moody 14

Manager's Comments:

"The fact we had back-to-back games has probably cost us a result against Hardley. At the end of the first half and beginning of the second we had so much space. It's rare that we get 2-on-2 situations going forward and perhaps we could have got more men forward in support. We always looked like scoring one but unfortunately we were 3-0 down by then, although the second shouldn't have stood. Quite simply, it was an awful decision. The ball blatantly went out down the side, someone kicked it back and Hardley played on. They hesitated for a second and probably couldn't believe their luck when Steve waved play on. We all stopped playing and left someone unmarked to hit a second. The ref may have got the free-kick decision right against Shotgun but this was a definite error. Modders had a great game. He's been playing well all season but sometimes hesitates or makes a pass when you expect him to shoot, he's a very unselfish striker. He was getting plenty of shots off today though and he was rewarded with a goal, which he took well. It was a good pass from Ben to set him up too. The performance was great, it's just a shame that Steve has cost us what would have been, I felt, a draw. Alex made plenty of clever runs, despite not feeling 100%, Sam got stuck in as per usual and James was superb, especially in the first half. Ben also played well and put in some great tackles, and it was a nice pass to set up Modders for the goal.The result was harsh on us, but unfortunalty we've been saying that all too often. It seems that once we get to two goals we give up and give the opposition too much space. This season is a learning curve and next season we'll be much more competitive."