The equation was simple win and Affinity's presence in this season's cup competition remained in their own hands. With a four week break since the last game Affinity were anxious to build on the win against Genesis welcoming Fra and Lee back and able to play the same back five for the first time this year.
Affinity started the game on the front foot with Lee and James influential down the right with James playing a number of balls into the danger zone but just too close to the keeper to give Fra and Lee a chance to get on the end of it. Affinity were controlling possession with Chris and Steve G interchanging well down the left. Sean and Gurps played some lovely cross field balls during the early exchanges stretching the Elim defence specifically on their left.
After a slow start Elim had a short spell where they pushed Affinity back and forced a number of corners one of which resulted in a shot which Aron saved well with his feet. Sean was controlling things at the back making fine decisions and supporting others with strong and confident calls.
Affinity conscious of needing to make the possession count came very close to taking the lead with Fra pinching the ball off a defender and his fine shot wide of the keeper just drifted past the right upright. A few minutes later Affinity took the lead with Fra again pressurising the defence into a mistake and rounding the keeper slipped but was quick enough to pick himself up and force the ball across the penalty box with Lee sliding in to take a deserved lead.
The remainder of the first half evened out in terms of possession with both sides trying to get forward at every opportunity. Elim were finding more space in the midfield than Affinity would have liked with Henry, Gilly, Sean and Chris snuffing out attacks before they were able to fashion clear cut opportunities.
The half time team talk was an encouragement to keep tight at the back and for Lee and Fra to continue to press high. Again Affinity were fastest out of the traps with Ian and Gurps controlling the centre of the midfield and James and Steve G pressing forward to support Fra and Lee.
Chris with his pace and quick feet was causing Elim problems and with a moment of brilliance shifting in from the left struck a powerful shot over the keeper into the top right corner of the net. Affinity were well on top now and Fra effectively ended the game as a contest latching on to a flick from Will and finishing clinically into the left hand corner of the net.
Elim throwing caution to the wind had a similar period of possession to the one that they had in the first half creating a number of half chances. Aron made a fine reaction save from a header from a corner to keep a clean sheet that Affinity richly deserved. Not content for the game to peter out Affinity continued to move forward with Sean playing a ball over the top for Fra to run onto beating the oncoming keeper with an exquisite chip into the vacant net.
Four goals and a clean sheet, Affinity now have some momentum with a couple more games to come before the Christmas break. An encouraging all round team performance with plenty to be encouraged about with a few things still to work on. The man of the match decision was a toughie with the boss giving it to Fra for two quality goals and being a constant headache to the Elim defence. Special mention also to Sean for his polished defensive performance and quality passing and Chris whose all energy display was topped off with Affinity's goal of the season so far
