FC welcomed back Gary Claxton, Ross Skeet, Tom Short and Rory Power for this tie against Hampsted. After a slow start to the season AFC needed to get back on track and wasted no time in doing so!!!!. Right from kick off the lads were hungry and settled into there football quickly, Hampsted tried to use the driven ball out to their quick wingers to get in behind AFC Fullbacks Beard and Wilcox but with no joy as the pair were solid and for added effect they they penned the Hampsted wingers back as the became more attacking as the half went on. Hampsted made a few in roads into the AFC back line and yet again Centre back pairing of Scott and Hickman ( captain ) cleaned up well. AFC Keeper Claxton was called upon on the odd occasion but was never tested.
The combination of Hughes and Grainger sitting in midfield paid dividends and gave AFC a platform to attack from, with Grainger picking out team mates and gaps in the opposition formation at will and Hughes quick feet and strength won the midfield early on, The pace and skill Power and Skeet on either flank troubled the Hampsted Fullbacks and pair made a host of chances for Forwards Puddy and Short as the first half reached the midway point this direct wing play and quick movement of the ball in midfield set Short off on one of his jinxing runs and the young lad hit a thunderous strike on target only for the Hampsted Keeper to pull off a fantastic save. With half time approaching opportunities fell to Power and Skeet but they could not convert or the Hampsted Keeper denied them and Puddy made way for Leon Gaylard and Power was pushed up tops and Power's pace stretched the Hampsted back line, then making full use of the rolling subs rule Managers Simmons switch Power and Puddy and with minutes to go Puddy found himself passing the ball into the net to give AFC the lead just before halftime. The goal came after the a though ball set Short away and he went passed the defender with ease hit a powerful drive which the keeper saved but couldn't hand and Puddy followed up as.
Half Time: Hampsted 0:1 AFC Cheltenham
The manager gave his instructions and sent the lads out again who now we're high on confidence.
The second half followed the first with AFC making all the head way and Hampsted registering the odd attack, AFC were playing such an high tempo that towards the 55-60 minute mark Hampsted found themselves with more areas to play in as AFC started to tire, Hampsted started to push and their skilful Center mid saw more of the ball and slipped the forward in a couple of time but again Scott and Hickman defended well and Claxton was called upon to make some good low saves. Hampsted sensed and chance would come a pushed on and were rewarded when AFC stood off the forward and he hit a low drive into a AFC net to level the score
AFC had worked so hard to get the advantage they were not going to give the the 3 points up and again upped their energy levels and went at Hampsted again, Grainger came off for a quick rest and Mark Alston came on the right hand side and he soon got into the action linking up with Wilcox and setting him off down the line, on another AFC attack, Grainger was refuelled and ready and was sent on again to replace Gaylard, at this point the game had become stretched and Hampsted were finding space and time on the ball but AFC would not give it up, Fullback Beard won the challenge on the left and pushed forward Skeet made a wonderful run to take the Hampsted player with him and Beard slippy in Short, Short spotted Power's run and dinked the ball to him and the moved ended with Hampsted conceding a corner. Skeet settled up and delivered a drilled cross and Power flicked the ball into the net at the near post to give AFC the lead again, with 2 minutes to go Grainger got the nod from the manager to fill the midfield and called for the lads to keep focuses and see the game out for the win.
Final Score
Hampsted 1:2 AFC Cheltenham
Both teams contributed with some really good football and Hampsted were great hosts but the AFC lads never gave up and deserve their 3 points. #onwardsandupwards #AFC
