Town made the trip to Galleywood on Saturday, minus no less than eight first team regulars, anxious to get some points on the board after a barren spell of late. Grandy and Matt Macedo made welcome returns but the footballing world was shaken to the core by the shock omission of last weeks man of the match, Dave Kelly (AKA, WBB) who took his place on the bench.

Kicking up the slope against a bit of a breeze Town started brightly enough, took the game to Galleywood and early signs were good. Town were rewarded for their bright start when after 14 minutes, Ben Polley, scored with another "goal of the season contender" for the second week running: Stuart Dallaway, tracking back, won the ball for the first, but certainly not the last time of the afternoon, and the ball broke to Polley, fully 35 yards out slightly right of midfield: He cut in and from 25 yards out "placed" the ball into the top corner with a casual flick of the outside of his right boot, 0-1 and a goal of high quality. A few minutes later, yet another injury, when Grandy went off with a reoccurrence of the hamstring strain sustained a couple of weeks earlier and was replaced by new signing David Martin who slotted in nicely at the back and did a great job. Galleywood went in search of an equaliser but their attempts were met with fierce resistance both in the middle of the park and at the back where Lodgey and Ready defended superbly and were in a "they shall not pass" mood. On the half hour mark, Town went further ahead when Headon played in Polley who cut in from the left and was fouled for a clear penalty. Having missed from the spot last week a slightly apprehensive Polley stepped up and coolly side footed the ball home, 0-2. Galleywood now really went at Town and with the slope and breeze in their favour put the town goal under severe pressure for the remaining 15 minutes of the half during which time Ready, Lodgey and new boy David Martin were outstanding and held firm. Despite Galleywoods pressure it was Town who carved out the best 2 chances of the final 15 minutes leading up to half time but failed to add to their 2 goal lead: so half time arrived with Town still 2 goals to the good.

Warnings were given that we have been here before and thrown away leads so to be positive but careful. Sure enough, and as expected, Galleywood came out like an express train and took control of the game. Although Galleywood dominated territorially they never really created any clear cut chances and Town game plan was working to perfection. Because of the battling Town midfield, supremely marshalled by skipper Mark Neal, Galleywood were forced into pumping long balls in the Town area which were dealt with comfortably by the Town defence. On the attacking front, Stuart Dallaway, having his best game so far, was a constant thorn in Galleywoods side with his powerful running and refusal to give any ball up. With 14 minutes left, having ridden the storm and just when it looked like Town would see the game out and record a 2-0 victory Galleywood scored with a looping header that gave Chris Neal no chance, 1-2, and squeaky bottom time. Thankfully the pressure was relieved almost immediately when at the other end an attempted Galleywood clearance was chested down by Stuart Dallaway on the edge of the box and then, before the ball could hit the ground, he volleyed the ball into the bottom corner to restore Towns 2 goal advantage, 1-3. Still Town insisted on making it interesting and added several more grey hairs to the managers ever thinning hairline by conceding again when Galleywood scored with an acrobatic overhead kick 3 minutes before the end 2-3. Fortunately for the sake of the managers hairline, not to mention blood pressure the remainder of the game was played out in Galleywoods half; the final whilst went and Town recorded a very welcome and hard earned 3 points and headed to the bar.

Given the amount of missing players this was an excellent battling team performance and to select a man of the match is very difficult - Chris Neal's handling of some shots and crosses was superb, the back 3 of Ready, Lodgey and David Martin were outstanding, in midfield youngsters Brad Merrick and Matt Macedo gave non-stop energetic displays, Headon showed great vision and played some exquisite passes, Flighty in an unaccustomed role got on the ball and passed it around nicely which in itself takes the pressure off, Mark Neal, who according to local opinion cant play, was absolutely inspirational and didn't lose a header or tackle all afternoon, Ben Polley scored a goal of very high quality and was a constant threat but this weeks man of the match goes to Stuart Dallaway who gave an all action show and scored a superb goal just when it was needed.

El Col