There are many different types of draw in football. Draws that are lost, draws that are just plain drawn and draws that are won. This was definitely one of the latter. The Alex boys showed real spirit in the second half to come back from 3-1 down to salvage a point "away" to the llamas on a muddy day on Clapham Common.
Under pressure from early on we struggled to keep possession and clear our lines, that combined with an inability to take throw-ins meant that the first 20 minutes were spent camped in our own half. Despite the pressure the Llamas found it difficult to find a break through. Eventually though they got their goal. The Alex’s old foe the long throw was once again the villain of the piece. Finding it difficult to compete aerially with a physically larger Llamas side the ball found it’s way into the six yard box and was adjudged controversially have crossed the Line by the referee who suffered a bit of a Stuart Attwell moment. The sooner goal line technology finds it’s way into Sunday league football the better.
The Alex responded well though and fought their way back into the game with Jimmy calmly stroking the ball into the back of net to put Clapham back into contention. Another llamas goal was to follow though and it was yet another set piece as Alex players failed to assert themselves physically in the box. We almost took equalised before half time when a Riley header struck the man on the line from a corner, but in truth we had managed create few chances as we went into the break.
Half time was really the turning point. Rich looking every bit the modern day manager and using his extensive championship manager knowledge, elected the “team’s pride is at stake” option and a revitalised Alex took to the pitch. Much better ball retention and great penetration meant it was even more of a surprise when the Llamas got their third, a well taken hit from the edge the box.
The Alex were not to be undone though. And responded through a ingenious Seb Bell flicked head on into the back of the net. Some good defending and excellent goalkeeping from Rolfey kept the scores at 3-2 and the Alex were rewarded for their persistence through another Seb Bell goal. Using the foes filthy long throw tactics against them, Pearce’s rocket launcher found it’s way into the Llamas 6 yard box and Bell made no mistake. After that the game petered out a bit and though the Alex will feel they could have gone on to take all 3 points in reflection a draw was probably a fair result. Coming from 2 goals behind shows real character and increased confidence from which all Alex players will take heart.
On now to Sandmere and hopefully another performance that shows how we are improving as a team.
