Sunday, away trip to Olten! After the positive start to the season which saw “Les Grenat” sitting top of the table Sunday morning, this remained a match of great importance. Short of numbers, away to Olten, suspect refereeing, a scenario we know all to well, but yet one that seems to continually create a mental block, could we finally push past this?
Positive start from Servette as has been the case so far this season, three at the back a packed midfield two up front and chances for both Gareth and Loïc but not the breaks we were hoping for, the luck maybe not with us. Despite a crowded midfield with many Servette bodies Olten find to much ease in penetrating with long balls, channels left unguarded and pressure mounting. Trouble finally arrived, PC for Olten, save by Julien deflected onto FLH, ball clearly going wide, discussion between the umpires only one possible outcome of course, STROKE!! 1-0!!
Not important, we have seen this before, but old doubts and frustrations return, decisions go against us, the leniency afforded Olten by the Umpires is not equally shared and Pascal finds himself disciplined, harshly, ten minutes at ten men. Moments later a direct ball eludes Julien the rebound falls unkindly, 2-0! Half time can’t come soon enough, heads aren’t right, Servette is leaking water and badly, we need to regroup!