VNL#34 - Daggers 2 Eastleigh 0
Criticism towards the manager and players was rife after a bitterly disappointing defeat to Bromley at the weekend, where an admittedly decent performance offered little in consolation. A reaction was desperately needed, and we certainly got it with perhaps our most complete team performance of the season. Despite a sloppy start that could have culminated in a goal or two for the visitors, we seized control and barely relinquished it. The surprisingly poor performance of the Spitfires contributed to the outcome, though that doesn't discredit what was an impressive showing from ourselves. Everyone worked hard and did their bit, but the difference makers were Balanta and McCallum. A goal and assist each was notched up by a strike duo that was hyped up immensely in pre-season, but hadn't delivered much until tonight, where they looked fluid, cohesive and, above all else, predatory. Balanta, in particular, was outstanding. Fresh from winning the division Player of the Month for March, he was given the captaincy for the night and quite simply oozed class. His goal was gorgeous, guided delicately into the corner, while his assist was just as impressive - finding McCallum in a superb position for a moment our big number 9 so desperately needed. It was the kind of goal that fills his highlight reels from previous clubs, but we hadn't seen enough of here. It was, by far, our most comfortable win of the season, both in terms of margin but also just in the manner of the play. A late sucker-punch like the one inflicted upon us by Weymouth a few weeks ago rarely looked likely here, and there wasn't the customary hanging-on period that has characterised all of our far too infrequent victories this season. We were excellent in attack and solid in defence, getting the reward we deserved on both fronts. Of course, perspective is needed. We've only won once off the back of a dreadful run of form, and remain in a frankly unacceptable position in the table. A single night, regardless of how impressive it was, doesn't change any of that, but it does give us a platform on which we can hopefully build. We now head into a more gentler run of fixtures that, after Saturday, pits us against several teams below us, against whom we should be winning. First though focus will be firmly on this weekend's early kick-off against Solihull, which will be an interesting contest. Whether we'll impress again or revert to type remains to be seen.
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May 2024
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