Affinity hadn't played this St John's side in the league before, the only previous meeting being in the 1st round of the cup the year we last won it.
Affinity were in need of a confident boosting performance and started strongly testing the St Johns’ midfield and defence from both sides of the field. Defensively Affinity looked tight with Gilly and Alex marshalling the centre and Mark and Wally covering any attacks from the flanks.
Affinity took the lead with Chris racing onto a through ball and drilled it past the keeper. Affinity continued to press from the midfield with Ian playing an inch perfect ball through to Mike whose shot hit the outside of the post.
St Johns’ started to come into the game and forced a number of corners from both sides of the field which were defended well with Steve R punching clear on a couple of occasions. Affinity looking dangerous pushing forward doubled their lead with Chris finishing off a move started with Wally finding Mike from the back and Mike feeding the ball through to Chris.
Affinity were well worth their two goal half time lead but there would be no room for complacency as St Johns’ had shown enough endeavour to suggest chances would come their way in the second half.
The second period started evenly with both sides trying to get forward. A third Affinity goal and Chris' second hat trick of the season came from a great lob after Ian had put Chris clear. This should have been a winning position but Affinity took their foot of the gas with St Johns’ capitalising.
A first St Johns’ goal came from a striker reacting quickly to a save from Steve finding the roof of the net. The goal galvanised St Johns' confidence and they pushed forward from both sides of the pitch. A second goal followed from a header from a free kick with the St Johns' attacker showing more desire than the defence to attack the ball.
With the momentum now firmly with St Johns’ any chances for Affinity were at a premium. Andy, battling hard up top, nearly fashioned a chance from a lovely drag back and through ball that Chris couldn't quite reach. St Johns' equalising third goal came from a swinging corner and again they got ahead of the Affinity defence with a header leaving Steve no chance.
The last ten minutes of the game saw end to end action with no clear cut chances resulting. On the final whistle Affinity players felt like they has lost and St Johns’ felt like they had won.
Chris takes the man of the match award with a fine hat trick and all action performance. Other mentions to Ian and Mike who were significant in providing the through balls for goals and chances
