LEICESTER POLSKA failed to build on their last game by yet again conspiring to lose a game at Knighton Park – their third in a row, where they are winless since April. They started quite brightly against a Hurricanes side that have taken some recent batterings, but who themselves looked like they were back up to full strength. Rob Crane missed what can only be described as a ‘sitter’ on 4 minutes, putting a chance over the bar from a few yards out, much to the amusement of referee Tommy Hollidge, who handled the game very well. For that reason, Hollidge let Crane off a probable booking a few minutes later when he brought down a Hurricanes forward. Polska then somehow dropped down a gear, they seemed frustrated at the Hurricanes defence comfortably winning everything in the air, and seemed to have no Plan B, but in reality they also stopped competing and chasing the 50/50 balls. Such a different attitude compared to the Fleckney game! The visitors began to grow in confidence and on 18 minutes, Richard James finally scrambled the ball over the line after Polska failed to clear their lines, despite having at least three opportunities to do so. Worse was to come when Sean Cooke made in 2-0 on 29 minutes with a shot from the edge of the Polska area. Rob Crane had the last laugh when he finally stabbed home in the Hurricanes box on 42 minutes to make it 2-1 at half time. It was his 14th Polska goal, the last one coming in March 2006. It was also his first Polska goal in 1522 minutes, a period that spanned 2037 days. It was a better performance in the second half, as Polska started to pass the ball around a bit more, and on the hour mark Savo Wieczorek blasted a shot that looked like it might provide an equaliser, only for the Hurricanes keeper to pull off a match winning save. But Wieczorek did even better on 71 minutes, rifling home an Alan Chater pass to make the game 2-2. At this stage, it looked like Polska might turn things around, and the Hurricanes keeper was booked when he brought down Radek Gagliewski seven minutes later – to the relief of the visitors the foul was just inches outside the box, as Polska initially thought they had won a penalty. But the sting in the tail came in the 85th minute, when substitute Matthieu Lenoir needlessly brought down a Hurricanes player who was running in to the box but towards the goal line. Danny Taylor converted the penalty to break Polska hearts, and after working so hard to get back into the game, it was a cruel way to lose. PLAYER PERFORMANCES: PAJAK: Collected his corners and set pieces well. Not a lot he could do for the goals. MARK CHATER: Solid in the air, and had a very good game despite the scoreline. WASIK: Made way for Lenoir on 63 minutes, never got going and is much, much better than this. CRANE: Made up for his early miss with Polska’s first goal. Solid in the air. ALAN CHATER: Had an excellent game and looked very hungry, set up the second goal and did well. CHOINA: Not as confident as he was against Fleckney, replaced at half time by Bouric. OSIPINSKI: Tried to play his usual busy game, but Polska’s midfield did not always click especially in first half. KRAGULEC: Injured early on and replaced by Godziebiewski after just 30 minutes. GAGLIEWSKI: Had a quiet game, and never really got going. WIECZOREK: Won a fair few headers, and took his goal well. Worked hard for the team. DZIOPA: Had a very good game, and apart from giving the ball away once in the second half, was solid. SUBS: GODZIEBIEWSKI: Found it hard to get into the game, and pretty quiet. Picked up a knock early second half. LENOIR: Didn’t do much wrong until his rash challenge gave Hurricanes the penalty. BOURIC: Had one good run at the Hurricanes defence second half, but was playing in an unfamiliar left back role when he came on. |