Division four leaders PSC Galaxy were given a tough match by Crossblades FC who showed just how far they have since they were beaten 7-0 by Galaxy on the opening day of the season as they only suffered a 2-1 loss in the reverse fixture. After a good result last week, Crossblades went in to this game full of trepidation at playing against the undefeated pacesetters.
The game started off brightly for Galaxy, the ball being spread around the pitch and their defence rarely troubled. Despite all this possession, Galaxy were devoid of ideas and ingenuity at how to break down Tim Chilton and Liam Matthews in the heart of the blades defence. Slowly Crossblades found a little more room to express themselves and the energetic Mike Booth was full of running down the wing. It was Booth who had Crossblades best chance of the first half, his right footed half volley being pulled wide of the Galaxy goal.
Seemingly frustrated and alarmed at not dominating this game, Galaxy worked tirelessly in the middle of the park with Charlie Collier and Lee Sanders pulling the strings, good work on the left wing resulted in a corner. The subsequent delivery and some poor marking allowed Lee Himsworth to rise at the back post and fire his header home and settle the league leaders nerves.
This didn't deter the Blades, who kept at their task of competing against a team of considerable ability admirably. Shortly after taking the lead PSC Galaxy were rightly awarded a penalty after a clumsy challenge by Pete North. The resulting penalty was poorly struck and John Hampshire made a good save. Spurring the Blades on, they came out of their shell more, Will Wright showing the form that his manager knows he is capable of and battling hard all over the pitch.
The second half started much the same as the first, Galaxy spreading the ball wide and running and the Blades full backs. Ben Owers had a fantastic game at left back and with Chilton and Matthews winning everything in the air, Galaxy were growing frustrated at their inability to put the game to bed. With Galaxy attacking more and more, Crossblades found more space to attack, James Squire was running his heart out in the middle, some times covering three men. Michael Topliss and Carl Gilbert replaced North and Webb, their introduction giving fresh legs, and a new fight within the team.
With Crossblades feeling they could get back in to this game, they were shell shocked when their defence failed to react to a shot hitting the post, resulting in Steve House turning the ball in for a tidy finish and a more comfortable 2-0 lead for the leaders.
On pushed the underdogs, and fantastic work from Gilbert was rewarded with a penalty when he was taken down just inside the area, top scorer Carl Jacobi sent his effort low to the left side of the goal but was expertly saved by Matthew Tilley, Will Wright reacted quickest to the save and poked the ball home to leave the Blades with hope.
Galaxy hit back fast, and with a low shot beating Hampshire and hitting the post, the ball came back across the goal line. Galaxy were furious, stating that the ball was well over the line and the Blades defence stating it did not cross. The referee didn't award the goal, and the visitors let this get to them and didn't trouble Hampshire again. With a few minutes left on the clock, Jacobi was played through on goal, out came keeper Tilley and Jacobi went tumbling down. Both teams protested and no penalty was given.
The game stayed as it was until the final whistle, with the keeper Tilley confirming that he brought down Jacobi and perhaps denying Crossblades a chance to gain an unlikely draw. Despite Galaxy having the lions share of possession and some very talented players, a combination of fantastic defending and good performances all round the pitch from Crossblades deserved a little more.
