Clapham Alexandra 1-3 The Pidgeons
An understrength 'Alex' suffered their first defeat of the season with a 3-1 defeat to Pidgeons FC.
Clapham started the game with at least 8 of the first team squad missing from the line up, but despite this The Alex started the game the stronger with new strike partnership of Tom Billinghurst and Oli Miller looking balanced and dangerous and Allcott and Stroud on top against the oppositions midfield three.
The first save of the match came from a rasping effort by Billinghurst. Picking the ball up from thirty yards out his strike looked destined for the top left corner but the Pidgeons keeper did well to tip it over the bar.
Matt Wood and Akash were linking up well on the left and it would be from that left hand side that The Alex would take the lead. A ball into the corner was chased down by Miller whose tenacity was rewarded as he disposed the centre back. Miller then passed the classy Wood who beat his man in the box. Wood was able to smartly pick out Chris on the right wing, whose on efforts to get to the back post were rewarded with an easy tap in. One nil to the Alex.
For the rest of the half the home side played some nice football, especially from the back with Cheeseman, Will, Beef and Akashi all looking comfortable in possession and looking to play ofrost every opportunity. The rest of the half saw few chances for either side but the Alex went into the break feeling confident of a third consecutive victory.
The second half saw the Pigeons take the initiative. The half time talk allowing them to restructure there midfield and the Alex struggling to push on from their solid first half performance.
The away side equalised ten minutes into the second a slick move down the left a cheeky back heel and superb finish meant the Alex had to hold there hands up to what was a very impressive goal.
The visitors continued to dominate, with Clapham unable to clear their lines long enough the bridge the large gap that was now suiting the Pidgeons who were now making there extra man in midfield really count.
The Pidgeons took the lead with 20 minutes to go. An attack down left led to a measured cross that evaded both keeper and defence to be met by their right winger at the back post.
The game began to even out once again after the games second goal although Alex keeper Gandy showed top skill in saving a one on one to keep the home side in the game.
The Alex changed from 4-4-2 to 3-4-3 in an attempt to get back into the game. This did see some renewed pressure from the home side but it was ultimately unsuccessful, as the away side extended there lead with another impressive first time finish from the edge of the box and in the process finishing the game as a contest.
So a lot to take on board for The Alex, who need to work a little harder, be a little braver and communicate better if they are not to come unstuck in winnable games where they need to grind out a result.
