The players trudged off the pitch as if they had just been hammered, their faces crestfallen. They had actually just earned an impressive point but this team is so used to winning, and their standards are so high, that anything else feels sub-standard. I, for one, am very proud of them for this point.

Goldsworth Park are a very good team. It just so happens that when we had played them a few weeks ago, the Sharks had put on their best performance of the season and they had crushed them, but we knew that this was unlikely to be repeated. Down to a bare eleven, and missing several key players, we knew that Goldsworth Park would be a real test. We were right.

The back four started with Harry Connolly and Monty Byrne at full-back with Gabe Fitzgerald partnering Josh Franklin in the middle. Ben Gregory, Ivan Iduriaga and Daniel McGraw filled the midfield, with Harvey Rush patrolling the right hand side and Will Parris on the left. Mackenzie Rose started as the lone striker. There were no substitutes on this occasion. The sharks started brightly, with Harvey Rush hugging the right hand touchline excellently and winning several corners in quick succession. The delivery from ben Gregory was consistently good but nobody could quite attack the ball enough to get on the end of it.

At this stage, although Goldsworth Park looked threatening, the Sharks continued to dominate possession as they often do. Monty Byrne, Ben Gregory and Will Parris were linking up nicely on the left wing, and Ivan Iduriaga seemed to be winning every arial challenge. Mackenzie Rose managed to press high and win the ball in a threatening position but the chance couldn't quite be converted and the Goldsworth park defenders did a heroic job.

Gabe and Josh linked up nicely and the defence looked relatively solid, but on one occasion a Goldsworth park defender managed to muscle his way through only to be denied excellently by Dexter Williams. The ball broke kindly for a GPR attacker who was somehow thwarted by a second save by Dexter, a truly outstanding double save that prevented an otherwise certain goal.

This was a half of plenty of promise, but just lacking in end product. Ben sent a short whistling over the cross bar and Harvey nearly converted a half chance, but the Sharks went into half-time goalless.

GPR 0-0 Albury

We knew that we would be up against it. There were no fresh substitutes for Albury and both Will and Harvey were carrying injuries. Having controlled the first half, the Sharks had already expended a lot of energy, and we simply encouraged them to save energy by being disciplined in their shape and by moving the ball quickly.

in fairness, the Sharks started the second half brightly. Daniel McGraw and Ben were dictating the play in the middle of the park getting the ball out well to the wings. Will Parris had a tough battle on the left ahnd side and he did well to press them and take on his man, winning a few set pieces in attacking positions. On the right hand side, Harvey did excellently to get in behind the defenders to put in a few teasing crosses that were well cleared. The deadlock was broken from one of these occasions when Harvey had done well to win a corner. Ben Gregory curled in a superb corner for Ivan Iduriaga to head home powerfully. Ivan has had an extraordinary season. We have always nicknamed him "el Torro" for his bullish performances but he has taken this to a new level this season. Fitter, stronger, more skillful and more confident than ever before, Ivan is proving to be the pivotal player time and time again. He won pretty much every arial ball today and this goal was fantastic.

In the ascendency, the Sharks pushed for another one. Harry Connolly was supporting Harvey Rush on the right hand side and the two of them created some threatening opportunities. We had switched Josh Franklin and Mackenzie Rose around and Josh Franklin had an opportunity to run at the defence and get a shot off which was well saved by the GPR keeper. Ben Gregory managed to jinx through a couple of defenders and found himself through on goal only to drag his shot just wide of the post. Will Parris collected the ball well and smashed the ball at goal from a tight angle, forcing the goal keeper into a very good save.

Sometimes you can just sense the way a game is going. For all Albury's dominance, they couldn't get a second goal and as their energy levels dropped, GPR's confidence grew. Mackenzie Rose was called into action to stop a promising attack which he handled well and Gabe Fitzgerald had to use his pace on a few occasions to get to the ball before an attacker. Monty Byrne did brilliantly to deal with a constant overload on the left-hand side as GPR began to throw everything at the Albury Goal. Dexter Williams was called into action to make a brilliant point blank save, and to gather a few dangerous looking crosses.

Unfortunately, it was getting relentless and the GPR pressure paid off as Albury only cleared a corner into the feet of an attacker who smashed the ball in from the edge of the area. To be fair to them, they deserved the goal.

Albury looked dead on their feet. Some of the players could barely run. But their mentality was amazing and they dug in deep. GPR had all the momentum and kept attacking but somehow the Sharks protected their goal and even managed to win the momentum back for the last few minutes. Deplete of energy they managed to get the ball forward but no clear-cut chances could be created.

The players looked like they had lost 10-0, but the truth is, it was a very impressive point earned.

Final Score:
GPR 1-1 Albury

Goal: Ivan Iduriaga

Paul's Man of the Match: Ivan Iduriaga- Need I say more? Ivan was phenomenal today (again) and scored another brilliant goal (in fact the picture at the top captures him in the act!)
Harry's Man of the Match: Josh Franklin- If you need somebody to win you a battle, pick Josh Franklin. He battles so hard in every match and led the charge brilliantly today.
Captain's Man of the Match: Harvey Rush- Ben chose Harvey for creating so many chances, even while not fully fit. Well done Harvey!

Coaches reflections:
1. Part of me wants to comfort my team and tell them that it is ok to draw. But to be honest, I love the fact that they demand better. I love the fact that they are not complacent. There is a winning mentality in this team and it is why they have been so successful for the past few seasons.
2. Massive credit goes to Will Parris and Harvey Rush who put in immense performances considering that both of them were struggling with injuries. I wish you didn't need to play through the pain today but we were so grateful for battling so hard.
3. Well done to all the players for showing such grit and determination when the game was going against us. Although our football was not quite as sensational today, our mentality absolutely was.

So proud of them, and with Camberley losing, the Sharks extended their lead at the top!