Athletico Excelsior v Hampton Road
First Half
Excelsior look the stronger in the first fifteen minutes having control of the game in possession and moving the ball around well but no real chances are created.
Hampton control the 15th minute onwards and look to pressure a buckling Excelsior.
GOAL! 22 mins. Hampton Road score from a freekick their centre midfielder smashes in from 25 yards. 0 - 1
GOAL! 28 mins. Hampton Road benefit from a loose pass and some defensive pinball which ends with the Hampton striker finding the ball at his feet which he cooly dispatches into the bottom corner.
SUB - 30 mins - J. Davies on for W. Moreau (Hamstring Injury)
Good solid periods of play follow with Excelsior on the front foot and dominating looking the much stronger team dispite the scoreline. A spell of uninterrupted play see Excelsior hold possession for 5 minutes without losing the ball although no chance comes of it the quality of play was sublime.
End of half and Excelsior trail despite being the better team.
Second Half
A rejuvenated Athletico take total control of the second half with Hampton struggling to creat a chance in the first 20 minutes of the half. Excelsior are playing keep ball looking for a chance to press forward. The first definative Excelsior chance of the game falls to Darren from Andys mis hit shot.
GOAL! 71 mins. The chance falls to Darren and he shows the upmost composure and curls the ball into the top corner over a stranded keeper. Quality finish.
GOAL! 79 mins. Excelsior equalise after being buoyed by Worralls great finish and he pops up again turning in yet another Andy Willacy mis hit from 6 yards. Two mis hits two assists for Andy and two well taken goals by Darren and Excelsior have the bit between their teeth.
Excelsior are pushing for a winner with the best chance to win it falling to Damo who is one on one with the keeper he collects the ball well and sadly miscues the shot hitting the finish wide of the mark.
Then the worst ref decision I have ever seen. Not a bias opinion the truth. The ref was asked by our captain Sean how long was left. 2 mins was the answer given no less than 30 secs later the ball was played through by Excelsior and the Hampton lads stopped and screamed offside. Damo was through with Darren and Joe in support with no defenders within 15 yards. Excelsior had the best chance of the game. The ref waved play on not giving the offside. 25 yards from goal. Come on this must be it the win we have been waiting for. Then with what should have been 1 minute remaining the ref blew the final whistle. What a joke. Some Sunday League refs have to put up with so much abuse and not all of it deserved but in this case any abuse should be emailed to Iwillnotgiveadecisionforfearofretribution.com. Ridiculous.
All in all a game we should have won lads but the football is coming the team spirit is there. This season can finally begin. UTAE!
