With a number of players dropping out during the week and sad family news side-lining Gilly & Jobo on the morning of the game, Affinity would start the game with 10 men and be on the back foot.
Cov Saints, probably the most improved team this year, got onto their flow quickly and took the lead within the first 10 minutes with a good team goal. Affinity were up to 11 shortly after the goal but struggled to find any real fluidity to their passing and movement. This would be symptomatic of the whole game.
Affinity pressed from the midfield and nearly got a foot in the door when Nick's free kick looked to have crept into the corner with Saint's keeper just getting a foot to keep it out. Mike had a chance to convert a corner but his shot failed to make the goalie make a save. The Saints keeper would arguably be the man of the match.
Saints got a second goal before half time another well worked team goal leaving Dale no chance.
Affinity continued to try to find some rhythm in the second half and made the keeper work hard to keep his clean sheet with Josh P and Nick both having powerful shots turned over the bar. Saints defence marshalled well by a solid centre half who looked comfortable enough to play some fine balls to his team mates turning defence into attack.
A real positive for Affinity was the measured performance from Sean playing his first game showing strength and positional awareness belying his tender years.
Dale who had had no chance with the 2 Saints goals kept Affinity In the game with a fine and brave save at the feet of a forward who would be disappointed not to have scored. Affinity’s game got worse when Josh S went down after a strong challenge to prevent a Saints attack. It became clear fairly quickly that he wouldn't be able to continue and having used their only sub minutes earlier Affinity would play the remainder of the game with 10 men.
Saints finished Affinity off with a fine solo effort from a forward.
Affinity's man of the match goes to Sean whose first performance bodes well for Affinity's future
