AFC Prospect Farm Rangers kicked off their first ever competitive game this weekend in the CPSFL. The newly formed club had an impressive turn out and having a decent depth in squad numbers soon paid off.
After a scrappy and nervous start PFR were the first team to settle into their stride and found themselves 1-0 up within 10 minutes after some good build up play followed by a calm finish inside the box from club captain Andy Bellinger.
PFR nerves were settled and began to play some fast moving football and within 10 minutes of the opening goal a clever lob from Lee Callaghan from 20 yards out put PFR 2-0 up.
AC FC then themselves settled into the game which became end to end stuff and it was AC FC who found the net after some neat build up play. With just seconds left of the first half AC FC found themselves in front of goal but were denied firstly by a good save from Dave Hunter in the PFR goal and then a superb last ditch block from centre half Matt Chase.
So a very open game now and the teams went in at half time with PFR 2-1 to the good.
The second half started as the first ended with AC FC launching attack after attack and the PFR defence started to open up a bit and with 15 minutes gone AC FC scored a deserved goal to level at 2-2.
Following the leveller PFR made 2 quick substitutions with Lee Callaghan and Ryan Doran making way for Miguel Alegre and Thiago Ferreira who made an instant impact in attacking options for PFR. Within 5 minutes of the substitutions a clever ball through the heart of the AC FC defence found Tom Cross one on one with the keeper and calmly slotted the ball home putting PFR 3-2 up.
AC FC didn't give up knowing there were 20 minutes remaining and again pushed forwarded found the net with 10 minutes remaining after PFR failed to clear a cross which dropped at the far post for an easy tap in to level at 3-3.
PFR then made their final substitution with John Wake who had been solid at the back for PFR making way for Gary Doran (known to his team mates as Sally).
PFR from this moment took the initiative and launched attacks down the left flank through clever link up play between Kyle Needham and Blake Bicknell who had the beating every time of the AC FC defence but just could not find the final ball.
In the closing minutes AC FC did force the ball into the PFR net only for it to be disallowed by the referee for holding in the box.
Probably a fair result at 3-3 but the PFR will possibly feel they should have won the game with the chances they created and after hitting the crossbar on at least 4 occasions.
