A third meeting of the season before Christmas and a chance for Affinity to complete a clean sweep over a LOWFORS side without their talisman ‘Silver Fox’.
Affinity welcomed Mikes’s friend Luke Sharples covering at left back and he would play a confident and significant part in a positive performance. LOWFORS were out of the traps quickly and took advantage of Affinity still finding their shape at the back. A cross from the right was met by a LOWFORS striker and as in the first game of the three Affinity found themselves behind.
The response was to tighten up and start moving the ball around with Jamie and Mike taking control of the middle of the pitch. Luke and Charlie on the left and Sean and James on the right were stretching the play and a number of crosses troubled the LOWFORS defence without being able to find an Affinity final touch.
Three first half goals followed putting Affinity firmly in control of the game. The first a shot from James fed through by Josh P, the second and Charlie’s first for Affinity a cool finish following a cheeky flick from Josh P and the third a powerful header from Ian from a James corner.
Since the first few minutes the Affinity defence had been strong stifling out any attacks with Aaron covering any shots confidently.
The Affinity half time team talk concentrated on pushing on from the platform built through the first half. Within the first minute LOWFORS were back within one as they scored from their first attack this time meeting a cross from the left hand side.
As in the first half Affinity responded positively with plenty of pressure and possession. As the game became more and more stretched Affinity scored three further goals. A second for James with a powerful shot from the right, a second from Charlie fed through by Josh P for his third assist of the game and Steve putting away a perfect corner from James to finish the scoring for the day.
Josh P having unselfishly set up three goals for others let LOWFORS of the hook late on by lifting a James cross over the bar.
A fine performance to end 2013 and an important 3 points to put further space between Affinity and LOWFORS and Mosaic.
Man of the match was a difficult decision. Ian and Luke in particular were both strong in defence and pushing forward. Mike was significant in getting the team going after going behind, Charlie growing in confidence with his two goal haul and Josh P with his three assists. The award goes to James with two goals at important times in the game and two assists
