A muddy Netherhall was the scene for one of the most dramatic Anglia league games in recent seasons. The squad featured Jon in goal with Joe and Matt paired at CB initially flanked by Cam on the left and Chris Freer at right back. Dan V and Sean sat in front of the back 4 with Chris A, Chris S. and Kenny in front of them and newcomer Seb Wayman up front. Anglia started off slowly and within 20 minutes C.U.C were ahead after a freekick dropped invitingly at the feet of a clear player 80 yards out, Jon got a hand to the shot, but not enough, on it, as it rolled agonisingly inside the side netting. 0-1 Shortly after this New comer Callum McDermott came on in midfield and Sean dropped to his usual Right Back slot as Chris Freer took a breather..... a bit later Aaron came on for Dan and Anglia managed to hold the score to 0-1 at halftime having in truth created very little. At half time Chris Freer switched to his more familiar role up front and Seb took a break.
The second half started OK, Chris F missed a relatively easy chance with his weaker left foot but then disaster struck, a poor clearance left C.U.C.'s talented number 10 clear through on goal, he buried it just inside the left post and beyond the keeper. 0-2
A few more changes ensued throughout the half with Jon calling the subs from between the sticks. Seb came on to replace Aaron in midfield. moving up just behind our striker and Dan took over from Cam, who had had a good game at left back. Somewhere around these substitutions the game started coming to the boil.
Chris A who was having his best game of the season marauding down the left started a move that ended up with a handball being given against C.U.C. in the box, he then dispatched the penalty with calm and precision to haul Anglia back into the game 1-2.
C'U.C. were always a threat. but found it difficult to produce much more than hopeful lobs into the box that were easily dealt with, meanwhile debutant Callum 'Derm' McDermott was starting to find his stride in the game and powering forward from midfield at will and it was one of these drives that resulted in Anglia's second goal, smashed in under the bar for an equaliser. 2-2... The next 10 minutes belonged to Matt, but the euphoria was short lived. Having had a shorter pre-season than the rest of the squad he was still finding his range and a rare error in possession set C.U.C. in motion for another one on one goal, this time dispatched by their number 10 inside Jon's other post, leaving the keeper no chance. 2-3 However Matt was determined to make amends and within a few minute he had pulled it back again forcing his way forward into the box and smacking home a clean strike for another equaliser as parity was restored again with 5 minutes remaining on the clock. 3-3 With the score at 3-3 C.U.C. were a bit rattled but pulled it together for a final rally as the final few minutes of this story were all about the two most senior members of the Anglia squad at either end of the pitch. First up with two minutes on the clock the C.U.C number 10 managed to wriggle his way through to being one on one with the keeper yet again and tried his same trick of sliding the ball inside the post, but this time Jon was wise to his game and closed the angle down enough to be able to stick out a long leg and divert the ball just wide of the post with his outstretched boot. From the following corner Anglia managed to clear the ball and force a throw deep into the C.U.C. half. Callum's throw found Chris Freer on the edge of the box, who after an initial missed swipe caught a sweet volley with his right foot that arced over the C.U.C. keeper and into the back of the net for a stunning last minute winner for Anglia.
This was a great come back win by our team with some great performances all round, particular praise goes to our newcomers Seb and in particular Callum who managed to claim a goal, an assist, plus hit the post and bar in his first game for Anglia FC... In truth al of the Anglia team had decent games... but man of the match went to Chris Smith, who's tireless running in midfield kept us in the game at both ends and laid the groundwork for many of the players around him to shine.
