The Goals Keep Coming
A rain soaked Whitley Common, a scene of mixed success for Affinity in the last couple of years, was the venue for the second Lowfors fixture of the year.
Lowfors starting with 10 men made the quickest start to the game putting early pressure on the Affinity defence. Soon up to full strength Lowfors went one up with a soft goal, a shot looping over James J into the top corner off Steve W’s head. Affinity’s response was almost immediate with Luke finishing off a team move to make it all square.
The constant rain continued to make it difficult for either side to keep the ball under control for any sustained period. The slippery conditions played a part in Lowfors’ second goal with James J spilling a header into the net. Affinity’s response to going behind for a second time was as clinical as their response to the first. A lovely run by Gary took him to the edge of the box before being pulled down. Luke stepped up to take the free kick and although the goalie left an inviting gap to his right Luke drilled the ball perfectly into the gap bringing the scores level again.
The game turned feisty for a while with Affinity remaining professional. James (Silver Fox) Young turned back the years with a first half display that ran the show for Lowfors and tested Affinity’s resolve to keep him under close control. A well crafted third Affinity goal minutes before half time put took them into half time on a high. A cross from the left following a good run from Luke was cushioned to Lee from Mike C and Lee made no mistake.
Lowfors had put a lot into the first half and Affinity, now playing down the hill, started to boss the second half making their superior strength and fitness tell. Mike C capitalised on Lowfors pushing forward in numbers chasing a smart ball from James W from his own half leaving the advancing goalie no chance with his shot from the edge of the box.
With a two goal cushion Affinity relaxed and played some good football down both flanks. A cross field run from Mike A taking him from the right back position to the left hand edge of the Lowfors penalty box deserved a goal rather than the block his shot received.
A second goal for Mike C resulting from a slip from the goalie put the contest out of Lowfors reach. A sixth goal followed with a great header by Jamie from a corner.
There was just time for Lowfors to pull a goal back from a penalty but Silver Fox’s penalty kick struck the bar and although his follow up found the net the goal was disallowed because no-one else had touched the ball.
This was a battling team performance with the win ground out. Special mention to Luke’s all round performance especially his priceless 2 goals drawing Affinity back level so quickly both times they went behind.
