LOWFORS switched the game from Coundon to Whitley Common to avoid possible postponement so Affinity would have to master the pitch with the slope to get something out of the game.
The game would swing one way and then the other ending in a 4-4 draw. Affinity took the lead with a left foot shot from Mike which the LOWFORS goalie failed to deal with. The lead didn’t last long though with an opportunist strike leaving Dale no chance. Josh P’s second goal of the season puts Affinity back in front with a lovely volley after chesting down a sweet 30 yard pass from Mike A.
Affinity were just on top at this point with plenty of good movement although the midfield weren’t able to get high enough up the field to support Lee and Josh in the LOWFORS box to latch onto good crosses from both flanks. Affinity’s fortunes would swing in the last 5 minutes of the first half after looking good to go into half time with a lead. Two LOWFORS goals would send them into the break with their tails up, the first from a header from a corner and the second a break away and a lob over Dale’s head as he tried to close the angle on the advancing attacker.
A forced change with Charlie replacing Josh S lead to a change of formation with Affinity moving to a 3-5-2 with Gilly, Jobo and Ian as the 3. The change seemed to unsettle LOWFORS more than Affinity and with the advantage of playing down the slope Affinity started to build the pressure. The defence looked strong and the midfield 5 broke down LOWFORS attacks and provided overlapping width on both sides.
Affinity drew level with a cool Jamie penalty midway through the second half with Josh P brought down. The momentum was definitely with Affinity now and the all round team effort would reward them with a well made fourth team goal with Lee finishing off a cross from Josh after good work from Gurps and Mike on the right.
It looked like Affinity would see the game out from this point but one misplaced pass would lead to well taken goal and earn LOWFORS a point. On balance having been ahead three times Affinity were probably the most disappointed but on a positive side their unbeaten league remains intact.
A fine team performance with lots of positives. Man of the match went to Mike who was involved in a lot of the good things Affinity did today. His defensive support from the right wing in the second half was one of the reasons why the 3-5-2 had a good feel about it
