With a number of players not available it would be a different Affinity side that would line up against top of the table ARYPT. New players Damon and Danny would join Jordan and Dale in defence with Steve Moore nursing his hamstring in goal. Gurps and Nick would make up the different looking Affinity team.
As might be expected a brand new back four took some time to settle in and Steve M had to be be sharp on a couple of occasions to prevent ARYPT taking an early lead. ARYPT started as expected with plenty of movement and using the space well.
As things settled down both teams looked dangerous with Gurps and Josh P hounding ARYPT defenders and Affinity using the space down both wings to good effect. Affinity were close to going ahead with a Josh P shot hitting Ian on the line and going wide. Dale looking like he had played centre back his whole life marshalled the defence with Danny making some important covering tackles.
ARYPT took the lead a couple of minutes before the break overpowering the Affinty defence from a corner.
Affinity started on the front foot in the second half and the pressure paid off with a cool finish from James with a cross shot following a cross from Jamie from the left. Affinity were on top now and starting to rattle ARYPT with good movement and strong tackles.
ARYPT would deliver the decisive blow with a well worked goal that moved the ball from left to right leaving their right winger with time and space to finish. Affinity pushed forward looking for an equaliser and Josh P and James both attempted to latch onto a great free kick bent into the area from Nick.
A great Affinity team performance on the day that victory all but handed the title to ARYPT. Man of the match goes to Dale for his cultured performance at centre half. Steve M pushed him close with a fine keeping performance that rolled back the years
