Great Finish
With goal posts scarcer than hen’s teeth Affinity played their final home game against Sporting Myton at Bishop Ullathorne school. Heavy overnight rain, which continued throughout the game, made the pitch a dream to play on even though the ball zipped off the greasy surface.
Playing uphill in the first half Myton were the first to settle. Their well organised midfield and strong attack stretched the Affinty back line and forced a number of corners. Although the rain continued to fall Mark’s handling was confident.
Against the run of play Affinity scored on the break. The goal, eventually a tap in from Fra, resulted from pressure being applied on the Myton defence. Pressure by Mike and Fra has made life difficult for many a defence this year. The game became more end to end at this stage with some neat passing moves from defence, through midfield and down both flanks bringing the whole Affinity team into play. Affinity’s second goal came during this period from a Jamie header after Ward senior headed back across goal from a Ward junior corner.
Myton, a little unfortunate to find themselves two behind, responded with further pressure that resulted in their first goal. A diagonal ball from the left wing was met by a striker who lobbed the advancing Mark and into the corner. An injury to Mike C reduced Affinity to ten men for a time and stifled further progress. Immediately on hi s return Fra was brought down on the edge of the Myton box. A fierce strike from James caught the underside of the bar and into the net to restore the two goal cushion. This became a three goal cushion shortly before half time as Fra scored his second of the day.
Myton reorganised at the start of the second half and looked determined to use the hill to their advantage. Affinity continued to pass the ball well and in the heart of midfield Gary and Jamie were winning more than their fair share of headers and tackles. Attacks continued down both flanks with Oli completing a hat trick of ‘megs’ on the left side. Fra and Mike C continued to harass the Myton defence with the goalie saving well from Mike C on a number of occasions. Affinity’s fifth and Fra third came from a cross from Mike C and the contest appeared to be over.
Jonny replaced Steve W and settled into the centre of defence quickly with a couple of key defensive clearances. Myton’s second goal came as a reminder that with 20 minutes to go the game wasn’t dead and buried; Mark had no chance as the ball ricocheted into the path of a Myton attacker.
Affinity’s disciplined response was to take control of the remainder of the game. Some great passing moves followed with Gary and Jamie tying the centre of midfield up. Mike A, looking as though he had played at left back all his life, weaved up and down the left side with some great interchanges with Jamie and Oli. Matt and Steve M were as dependable as usual marshalling the defence with great support from Jonny and Mike A. Mark, now in danger of freezing, covered a shot onto the post as Myton realised the game was over.
The goal of the game and possibly the season came from Gary’s cultured left foot. His first attempt with his right foot came back off a defender; he moved the ball to his left foot and bent it into the top left hand corner. The final goal of the season by Fra took his season total to 17, one ahead of Mike, was enough to make him equal Division 1 golden boot winner. Congratulations to him for that and commiserations to Mike C for coming so close.
This was a fantastic team performance and a great way to end the season. The Myton Manager told me that his team had said that they wished they could play us every week – quite a comment considering we had just inflicted their heaviest ever defeat on them!
Although Fra bagged four goals I haven’t chosen a man of the match because this was all about the team performance. Bring on next season
