Cov Saints at Grace Academy on another wet and windy Saturday would prove a stern test in the early stages of the season.
Saints settled quickest of the two teams and it became clear that their fluid 4-3-3 set up would be a challenge to defend against. It wasn't all one way traffic though with Ryan and Will keeping the Saints defence on their toes with some thoughtful movement.
The deadlock was broken when a Saints striker latched on to a through ball catching the Affinity defence flat footed and firing it past Steve as he tried to narrow the shooting angle. Affinity's response was to tighten things at the back and up the energy all over the park.
Steadily the possession mounted and chances came with Ryan narrowly missing the Saints left hand upright after a fine team move. An equaliser came minutes later with a cool finish from Ryan from a free kick from Sean which Jobo glanced towards the goal. Affinity were on top now limiting Saints who started to get frustrated targeting Mike with questionable motives. Will forced the Saints goalie into a fine save with a fierce shot after a fine take down and turn. Steve kept the scores level at half time with a fine save after Affinity failed to clear from a corner.
The second half half started much as the first had finished with Affinity on top pushing forward. Mike and Ian in the middle and Jobo and James on the flanks joining play up well.
The Affinity defence remained a strong unit with Gilly and Sean managing the middle and Wally and Mark watching the wings and keeping Saints forwards at bay.
A second Affinity goal was no more that their effort deserved as Ryan fired his third goal of the season past the Saints keeper. The following 10 minutes saw a sea change in the game with Saints starting to see more of the ball and their movement up front starting to cause the Affinity defence some concern. An equalising 2nd goal came with a fine angled finish across the goalmouth from the Saints right leaving Steve no chance.
It seemed that as Affinity tired that Saints were able to up a gear and start to control more of the possession. A third and then fourth Saints' goal looked like putting the game out of Affinity's reach. Try as they might to get back in the game Affinity were limited to set pieces with Steve G's throw ins causing some difficulty for the Saints defence. Gilly hit the top of the crossbar with a fine header from a corner.
A fifth Saints goal shortly before the end, the result of a solo run beating several defenders, rather flattered Saints who in the end ran out comfortable winners. The effort put in by Affinity to get back in and then take the lead in the game left them short of energy in the final quarter.
Man of the match goes to Ryan with a brace of goals and all over performance. Special mention also to Gilly whose energy in defence and moving forward late in the game to try and get Affinity back in the mix was really pleasing to see
