Elim at Coundon Hall on a wet October morning for the first of three group cup games. Without a number of regulars, with some less than 100% and others playing out of preferred positions there was a sense of the unknown about how this Affinity performance would go.
The opening exchanges tested Affinity's shape with Elim pressing down both flanks and a number of crosses asking questions of Steve's handling in the wet conditions.Mike and Gary's movement and understanding in the centre of midfield created space with Greg and James benefiting from the width created.Will and Jobo playing together up front for the first time were providing the movement that would keep the Elim defence on their toes without being able to latch on to through balls during the games' first quarter.
Affinity went behind to a well constructed Elim move which started with a dummy on the left wing and a fine run and cross which Steve could only parry into the path of an Elim striker to pass into the net.
Affinity's response was pleasing with concentration on shape ensuring Elim's width was restricted.Mike and Gary's influence on the game continued to grow and Jobo had a couple of chances that went wide and high but the momentum had changed.Jobo's third chance brought Affinity level with a cool finish to the keeper's left and was no more than he and the team's effort deserved.
The remainder of the first half saw continued Affinity pressure without reward.
The second half was a even affair with less clear cut chances than the first.With both teams blessed with height a goal from a set piece would not have surprised either team.Elim's captain connected powerfully with a header from the edge of the penalty area but whistled over Steve's bar.
The Affinity defence looked comfortable with Ian and Sean taking control of the middle and Mark and Wally keeping Elim sorties to a minimum.
Affinity's best opportunity of the second period came in the last couple of minutes from a cross whipped in by Greg from the left but it alluded three attackers stretching to reach the ball angled across the 6 yard box.
A draw was probably a fair result over the 90 minutes.Back to back man of the match awards goes to Mike with another high energy performance.Good to have Gary in the centre of midfield and mention also to Jobo whose cool finish earned Affinity a point
