A cold, wet, windy match day could mean only one thing, LOWFORS!
A first trip to Lyng Hall School and a heavy pitch that would limit the quality of football on display over the whole 90 minutes. Having said this the game started brightly with both sides trying to gain the upper hand. The early exchanges left both teams realising that they would need to defend well on the day.
Affinity played some lovely controlled football with only the final pass missing. LOWFORS made Affinity pay with the first goal ricocheting off Wally in the area leaving Steve no chance to cover it. Affinity reaction to going a goal down was positive and they fashioned a good chance with Chris beating 2 defenders on the left and then crossing to James whose first time volley was saved well by the keeper.
With the silver fox winning most of the aerial battles LOWFORS doubled their lead when Affinity failed to clear a corner with an attacker finally heading the ball into the net. Affinity players heads needed to get back up and they responded by keeping a lot of the remaining possession in the half with the midfield pushing forward and Will & Chris becoming an increasing handful for the LOWFORS defence.
A half ending marauding run up field by Gilly was pulled up with an offside shout as Gilly took a final return ball from Will followed by a powerful shot.
The 2nd half started with lots of Affinity possession and a LOWFORS backs to the wall performance ensued. Attacks from both flanks increased with James and Gilly now in a more advanced position becoming more influential in the game.
Affinity made the momentum count with Chris winning a penalty. He stepped up to take it himself but it was saved by the keeper. The missed opportunity ended up being a pivotable point in the game as LOWFORS' heads lifted. Affinity made changes with Andy and Steve G replacing Will and Ian. Andy was quickly into the mix and had a number of chances making one count drilling the ball into the bottom left corner.
The game's momentum was now with Affinity who had several more chances that although were on target they didn't really test the keeper enough. Aron, who had hardly had a touch in the 2nd half, could only stand and watch as a silver fox shot the post and rebounded back into play. It was a warning that would be followed up by a soul destroying 3rd goal for LOWFORS who with 10 minutes left restored their 2 goal margin as they were first to react to a cleared ball from a corner from the left.
Affinity almost immediately had a chance to get the deficit back to one but Gilly couldn't take enough off the pace of the ball with his header just clearing the bar. With affinity pushing forward and leaving gaps at the back LOWFORS fashioned another chance with Aron saving well with his feet as he came out to meet a striker. Try as they might Affinity couldn't fashion another clear cut chance.
Gilly taking the man of the match performance with a battling display both in defence and latterly up front to try and get Affinity back in the game.
