Affinity came into this game with two good wins ‘under their belt’ – could they make it a hat-trick of victories?
Despite confidence carried from their previous games, Affinity got off to a shaky start, with early pressure from Cathedral testing the defensive set-up. Cathedral, although having a tough time in the league, came out more alert. Things took a turn for the worse for Affinity when a fairly innocuous 50/50 (at least from a strikers perspective) on the edge of the box resulted in Steve Moore having to be assisted to the side-line. Affinity were now down to 10 men for the second time in two weeks, and a decision was made by Ian C to cover the back, leaving only three in mid-field.
Whilst trying to settle themselves, Affinity endured further pressure with evidence of the old Cathedral presenting itself. Few ‘real’ breaks from the Cathedral team though, limited their opportunities, but throw-ins were well worked with the dominant force of ‘Hodge’ in the air presenting their most positive plays.
So, for the second week running, the 10-man Affinity proved very able to take control - not only defensively, but also generating attacking opportunities as well. The three-man midfield worked hard to create chances, and who could tell that Mike C was recovering from illness. At around the 25minute mark James W threaded the ball over the Cathedral defence for a beautiful touch from Mike C, and a cracking strike to give Affinity the lead they needed. The keeper didn't stand a chance.
Affinity then began to dominate the game, still with only 10-men, and took much of the play. Cathedral also had their breaks, which saw Marks’ cross-bar rattled with a great 20+yard strike in a positive passage by their forward.
This was Affinity’s wake-up call/reminder of how delicate a one-goal lead is.
It wasn’t long before the sustained pressure generated through Jamie & Mike A saw the ball drop at the feet of Fraser, who lunged the ball passed the keeper. Several more breaks came and went as Affinity were unable to capitalise on some quality crosses from James and Jamie, and darting runs by Mike A. Late in the half, Affinity were restored to the full 11 as Steve M returned to the midfield, with Ian remaining sturdy in defence.
The start of the second half saw Cathedral have good spells, in the majority coming from long throws. Affinity managed to remain solid at the back and some vital goal saving dives from Mark N afforded Affinity the opportunity to seal the deal with the all important 3rd goal, and goal number two for Mike C. Quick thinking on the break saw the throw-in from Lee and a quick ball forward diverted toward an ever-ready Mike C. Still with a lot of work to do, Mike shrugged the defender off and beat the keeper with relative ease. 3-0.
Some fantastic attacking throws from Jamie and Darren witnessed further pressure placed on the Cathedral goal mouth, with several long range efforts shooting high and wide of the target. It wasn’t until a defensive error, made by the otherwise solid ‘Hodge’, that Affinity were presented with a relatively straight forward final goal by Affinity, finished by Fray.
Hopes that the result would yield a defensive clean sheet were lost late in the second half, as the ever dominant Cathedral throw-in was used to generate a threatening ball into the Affinity box which was guided into the back of the net. Three out of three for Affinity, what of the future???
