Another away day, another early start and another long drive.

Coxhoe are a team we’ve played a couple of times, once in the league when we loaned them a couple of players and once in preseason friendly tournament, both even games.

A few changes this week, Will returning in defenced, Jacob coming in for the unwell James Lee and Joe replacing Max B in attack. The game started with Coxhoe making the early running, hitting the post from close range which I firmly believe would’ve been saved by Aodan who was returning to goalkeeping duties this week.

Rutherford started to find their feet and it was our turn to rattle the woodwork, this time from Elliott after good work on the left.

Coxhoe have improved greatly since last season, with a few new players and it was Coxhoe who broke the deadlock, breaking through the Rutherford defensive line to finish 1v1 in to the bottom corner after 6 minutes.

The game started to turn very scrappy from this point onwards, both teams conceding needless free kicks and spoiling promising attacks before they got started. However Rutherford found a way through down the right, a powerful shot which was well saved by the Coxhoe goal keeper before Joe scored the rebound for his second goal of the season. The goalkeeper was injured in this attack, taking a powerful shot to the stomach which knocked the wind out of him. The referee chose not to stop the game and well done to the players for playing to the whistle. I asked the referee and Coxhoe manager if they wanted to chalk the goal off due to the injury as a show of good sportsmanship but they both agreed the goal should stand.

1-1 at half-time where the team talk consisted of playing the game not the man. Too many times we gave away free kicks in dangerous positions and it could cost us.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, foul after kick, after overreaction, none of which was particularly dangerous but it did spoil the quality of the football if not the entertainment. The referee could’ve been a little stronger and both coaches tried to help best they could to clam the teams down but sometimes there’s nothing you can do once the players step over the white or in this case blue line.

As predicted the two second half goals came from set pieces, a penalty to Rutherford which according to some parents was dubious, I can’t comment as I genuinely missed the incident but you take what’s on offer and Max Billingham did just that, dispatching the penalty well.

The Coxhoe equaliser came from a needless free kick was given away and then wasn’t defended very well. The defensive wall was non existent and too far away, compounding the defensive error, the defenders were far too deep, blocking Aodan’s view and preventing him from saving a fairly tame shot. These are elements of the game we need to get better at, the in game decisions are poor at times but they will come with experience and maturity. They did later in the half when a perfectly formed 4 man wall blocked a well struck free kick, signs that we're learning quickly.

The game finished 2-2, a few chances towards the end for both teams who with a little more composure or quality could’ve proved the winner.

Stand out performances of the game; Callum at left back, solid in the tackles, positionally sound and showing a real sign of confidence to receive the ball short from goals kicks to start our attacks. This is a real change for Callum who was struggling with confidence in preseason but it goes to show what hard work and effort can achieve.

The midfield of Elliott, Joe, Max, Mason, Jack and Jacob all worked extremely hard and when composed played good football.

MoM was Aodan who commanded his box well, kicked accurately, made some excellent decisions and saved a few very difficult shots.

The unbeaten run continues as does the commitment, spirit and togethernesses.

Well done Team