5 Star Affinity
With Meredith losing in midweek the return fixture with ARYPT took on even more significance.
The game started in a similar fashion as the previous week with both sides feeling each other out. As with the first game, ARYPT took an early lead this time straight from a corner on their left looping into the top left hand corner. Affinity’s response was immediate with a goal by ARYPT goal specialist Steve Moore whose powerful header from a quickly taken corner between Mike C and James W kick started what would be possibly the best all round Affinity performance ever.
The defence were strong in all areas with Steve M and Ian first to virtually every ball; Mike A making and using space on the right hand side and Oli having his best game looking as though he had played left back his whole life; and James J’s timing and bravery leaving ARYPT strikers with scraps to work from. The midfield quartet ran the show with Jamie and Gary winning 40-60 tackles and headers turning defence to attack and James W and Luke dominant down the flanks. Last but no means least Mike C and Lee hounding the ARYPT defence giving them no time to dwell on the ball, forcing them into making mistakes and playing off balls fed from both midfield and defence.
Two further Affinity goals before half time meant that the score line at the break was the same as the previous year’s game but the atmosphere in the Affinity camp was far more confident this time around. Affinity’s second a cross from the left from Luke found Mike C and a pin point header in the top corner gave Affinity a deserved lead. Mike C’s second was a beautiful finish, his first touch taking their left back out of the game and a precise finish into the bottom corner leaving ARYPT deflated.
Affinity were forced into making a change 5 minutes into the second half as Ian saw red for his first mistimed challenge and a ‘Gordon Brown’ style comment as he walked away from the ref. Lee made way for Steve W as Affinity moved to a 4-4-1 with Mike C the lone striker up front. What followed was a backs to the wall display that would have left a bystander wondering which team had fewer players. Not only did Affinity prevent ARYPT having any serious attempts on goal two further goals from Mike C highlighted the level of fitness, strength of character and team spirit that exists within the Affinty squad.
A ball over the top from Oli which Mike ran on to and after shrugging off the defender placed past the goalie for his hat trick goal. The fourth goal started from a pin point cross field ball from Luke to James W who took the ball to the by line, delaying a cross till Mike arrived to slot in coolly with ARYPT defenders just looking on. ARYPT were now a beaten side and the game stretched with Affinity matching them for possession but beating them in all other aspects of the game.
How do you choose a man of the match from a team performance like this? It would be easy to make a case for any player to take the award. However, goals win games and Mike C’s first ever four goal haul and second half performance as a lone striker shades it for him.
Two games to go and not time to take our feet off the gas. Binley next up so let’s go at it again on Thursday
