Cup final day and memories aplenty for those who played in the cup final of 2011. With Gary B injured and Josh P at his dad's wedding Affinity welcomed Dale back for the day.
Having received some reconnaissance about Holy Family from Les and the call to give everything for each other one last time this season Affinity started the game very much on the front foot and controlling the play in the first 10 minutes. No clear cut chances came from this possession but some nice work by James and Lee on the right in particular gave Holy Family something to think about.
Holy Family started to get a foothold in the game mid half as Les suggested they would do, however, this was as much from Affinity leaving passes a little short as much as any control being exerted by the opposition. The Affinity defence looked strong though with Ian and Gilly tight on attackers and Sean and Luke covering and being used as an effective outlet from Dale as Affinity tried to use the width of the pitch to their advantage. Apart from one small slip from a corner Dale was commanding his box and the penalty area as he had for Affinity for the previous 3 years.
The midfield exchanges were even with Gary and Jamie challenging for and winning their fair share of headers and the ground work. Mike became increasingly involved on the left and his link up with Gurps became more significant as the half progressed and would result in putting Affinity ahead on 30 minutes. Dale played Luke out from the back and a 30 yard touch line pass found Mike stretching the Holy Family defence and his drilled cross heading for Gurps was turned into the net by a defender.
Affinity's celebration was tempered with the knowledge that there was a long way to go yet and professionally played out the remaining 15 minutes of the first half keeping things tight. The half time team talk concentrated on remaining focused on shape and keeping the ball.
The second half started with both teams trying to gain the advantage but things remained tight for the first 15 minutes when Holy Family got a foothold back in the game. A Holy Family free kick half way inside the Affinity half managed to find its way through a crowded penalty box and a powerful enough header levelled the score.
With the wind taken out of Affinity's sails Holy Family pushed forward and were holding more and more possession. Affinity knew they were in a fight and battled on without much of the luck going their way. The game turned completely within a key 3 minute period with 70 minutes gone.
A move down the Affinity left resulted in a shot that was parried by Dale with an attacker reacting quickest to find the net. Worse would follow almost directly from the kick off with Luke getting the ball caught in his feet and this time a shot from the Holy Family right found the net giving Dale no chance.
With attack now the only option Affinity pushed forward in increasing numbers and half chances followed without seriously testing the keeper. With 10 minutes to go Affinity made possession count with Lee reacting quickest to a parry from the keeper from a shot from outside the box from Sean. Affinity pressed until the final whistle but on the day came up just a little short.
No Man of the Match today just pride from the boss in how his team finished the season. A right mixed bag it was but the spirit of Affinity burns bright
