In conditions worse than forecast, Elmer somehow managed to hold onto their unbeaten League record, despite having been outplayed by a determined Eastfield side for the vast majority of this match. Indeed it was the home side that took the lead in the very first minute. Eastfield kicked off and planted the ball deep into the Elmer half but an over enthusiatic challenge by their striker saw a free kick awarded to Elmer which was taken by Kent. An aerial challenge followed with Eastfield again penalised, this time for a push. Kent again took the the kick and fizzed the ball into the area where Herbert managed to despatch the ball into the bottom corner. Such a start would deflate many a team but it was from this moment on that Eastfield took a strangehold on the game, winning most headers, being first to most loose balls and creating many chances in front of the Elmer goal. The only surprise being that it took until the 25th minute to gain parity. A well placed ball through to the impressive Cranham saw the Eastfield player break free from a weak challenge and plant the ball wide of Hurley's despairing dive to equalise well. Stung by this, Elmer managed to create some chances of their own. A strong drive forward and shot in the 29th minute from Moir saw his effort well blocked to go out for a corner. The resulting kick seeing Wilson's brave header well saved by Tester. Eastfield took the warning on board and again got back on top of the game and it was no more than they deserved when they took the lead in the 41st minute with Estahahni benefitting from more poor defending to put the visitors 2-1 up. The half finished with more disappointment for Elmer when Kent took a heavy knock and had to be replaced by Spann in defence just 2 minutes before the break.
Half time: Elmer FC 1 Eastfield FC 2
Almost at a loss for words to describe his teams poor performance the Elmer manager somehow manged to express his frustrations at such an inept display but kept faith with the eleven that finished the first half. That decision looked pretty sound as the second half started with more commitment from his players and not for the first time it was skipper Eardley who led from the front and buried a fine strike into the net on 49 minutes with Tester helpless. With Elmer now level they really should have pushed on and grabbed the game, but for whatever reason instead slipped back into the bad habits of the first half. With Eastfield again enjoying supremacy they sprung the Elmer offside trap and Estahani ran on to score a fine goal restoring his teams lead. The next few minutes were somewhat frantic. a Herbert shot saved and then the Elmer keeper Hurley pulling off a fine save himself from McLean. With Elmer striker Alner beginning to tire, Belcher was sent on in an attempt to trouble the Eastfield defence with his relentless pace. Another bold move from the Elmer manager saw the height of Davis thrown on upfront after sacrifycing defender Spann. Having used all his substitutes, that gamble looked to have been ill-timed when the old hand O'Donnell limped off having tweaked his ageing hamstring. To his credit though the warhorse did re-enter the fray a few minutes later and ultimately finish the match. The final 15 minutes or so saw the new formation from Elmer trouble the visitors defence but it wasn't untill the 86th minute that scores were level, this time Hambidge, making his first start of the season, getting his reward for a strong and committed performance to give Elmer a point that even they have to admit was hardly deserved.
Full time: Elmer FC 3 Eastfield FC 3
