The last game of 2014 and the opportunity for Affinity to record their first league win of the 2014/2015 season. ARYPT2 at Ullathorne and the chance to build on the cup win at Finham.
ARYPT started the game as strongly as they did the cup game and with a stronger midfield and attack than in the cup game they put Affinity on the defence from the start.Affinity sporting two Large debutants Eddie at right back and Chris up front were behind early doors with a neat passing move on the ARYPT right with a tidy finish in the corner giving Steve R no chance.
Affinity's response showed their determination to push forward and a midfield battle looked on the cards with Ian pushing on and Steve G sitting in front of the defence.Chris and Will looked lively and started to stretch the defence and both played significant parts in Affinity's equaliser. A build up from the left saw a ball floated into the box with the goalie clattering Will to the ground and the ball falling to Chris who made no mistake from 5 yards.The goal probably prevented the ref having to award a penalty and award a card to the goalie.
It was game on and both teams pushed forward with defences looking less than confident that they had the measure of the opposition strikers.Steve R was called into action on a number of occasions firstly touching a powerful shot onto the bar and claiming the ball at the feet of attacking strikers on a number of occasions.
It was Affinity who took the lead for the first time in the game with a precision strike from Steve G from the edge of the area.An intelligent lay off ball from Jamie was hit with power and clipped the inside of the keeper's right upright before nestling in the net.
The lead lasted a matter of a minute as ARYPT threaded their way round the Affinity defence from the kick off leaving Affinity deflated that the effort to get in front was seemingly for nothing. The Affinity defence tightened up with Ed working his way into the game with some powerful challenges and clearances. Affinity retook the lead with some clever opportunism from Chris pouncing on some indecisiveness by the ARYPT goalie and poking the ball home to give Affinity the half time advantage.
Affinity started the second half on the front foot and like the cup game took a 4-2 lead. Ian who had clicked into a quick partnership with Chris and played a ball that Chris raced onto beating the last defender and placed the ball through the legs of the oncoming keeper for a well deserved debut hat trick. Affinity feeling comforted by the two goal advantage took their foot a little off the gas but looked comfortable.
Controversially ARYPT got a foothold back in the game from a left side run that started with a ball that Affinity players convinced had gone out of play.The ball found it's way to a striker who coolly rounded Steve R and beat Steve W at the near post. An avid protest from Ian fell on deaf ears and ARYPT players sensed the chance to pounce.
An equalising goal came fairly shortly after their third with an attacker beating Ed and Steve R to a cross.With ten minutes to go it was anyone's game from this point forward and both sides weren't content with a draw.Affinity had a couple of corners and James put the ball on the money as he had with all set pieces in the game.ARYPT's defence held fast as did Affinity's with Alex and Steve W winning most headers effectively clearing the danger. Worth a special mention is Sean's 100% clean goal kick record ensuring that ARYPT has to work hard to gain possession in the Affinity half.
With the clock winding down Affinity were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box and James cross found Will's head and the flicked ball was nodded into the net by Steve W to put Affinity back in the lead. Mike who had come on as a 2nd half sub ensured that there would be no repetition of ARYPT's second goal snuffing out an attack from the kick off. Affinity played out the last
Man of the match goes to the hat trick debutant for his energy and clinical finishing. Let's hope for many more performances like that after the Christmas break. Mention also for Will and the midfield who battled hard and were the engine room creating and scoring the chances made. Whilst we are at it the defence played their part with some key interceptions, clearances and saves. All in all a proper football match with a great team spirit winning through
