Facelad had their first away day of the season against Garston who had won their previous game comfortably the week before. A loss today would potentially shake the confidence of a squad that has often been reported to possess a lot of confidence players. The side set up without O'Brien and J.Clynes which saw fans expressing their concerns about the lack of the pace in attack but a quick start from Facelad saw that diminished.
The game kicked off and Facelad started well with a good tempo and a high intensity on the ball as well as with their pressing the opposing players. The first goal came early when the ball was played wide to Scott who delivered an inch perfect cross to striker Matt Howell who just allowed the ball to come onto the inside of his right foot and into the net without the ball hitting the floor, beautiful delivery from the wide man. 1-0. After a very strong start in the first 10 minutes Facelad started to lose their possession game and but for a few good patches their passing became very loose. However it feels wrong not to mention the good hold up play from Howell who held off centre backs and offloaded the ball well throughout. However the ball found itself getting closer and closer to Facelads goal and 24 minutes in Gaston had their breakthrough, a throughball cutting through the two centre halfs for the striker who showed good pace to get there and finish, 1-1. For a time after that both teams struggled to create chances with both sides searching for a chance to test the opposing keeper. One eventually came when Extence played the ball out short from a goal kick and a mix up at the back found Gaston nicking the ball and setting up one of their attacking player for a simple finish 6 yards out from goal, 2-1 Garston. Not long after that Facelad found themselves in danger of going 3-1 down when a throw in from the left of their area was launched into the box and seemingly brought down with a Garston arm, however the referee did not give it and the player went down attempting to turn debutant Newman and the referee gave a penalty. The Gaston CM stepped up and put an average penalty to the right of Extence in goal... He guesses right and palms it away! The penalty take then forces the Facelad goalkeeper into a double save as he latches onto the rebound as is denied by some fantastic goalkeeping. Inspiring stuff from the number 1.
Half Time
After an inspiring half time team talk from interim manager J.Clynes Facelad came out for the second half with real desire in their eyes, their energy seemed to have upped but they still weren't quite breaking through the Garston defence. The game was back to it's previous state of up and down without to many chances. Around 65 minutes in 2 substituations were made with C.Comerford coming on for Rolland at left back and J.Clynes for Scott on the left wing switching Saxby to the right. These changes paid dividends 72 minutes when J.Clynes chased down a ball passed back to the Garston keeper, he blocked the clearance with his big old swinging dick! And with tears in his eyes declined the chance to square to Howell striking the ball into a defender for a corner. The resulting corner found Facelad their equaliser when a decent delivery fro J.Clynes found its way to saxby who flicked it into the 6 yard box with his right boot, Howell directed the ball toward goal but before it crossed the line Alderman toed the ball over the line... Hero. 2-2, in the nobalist of fashions. Facelad had their tails up now and it seemed only a matter of time before they scored and this was proved to be the case as they flew forward more and more. In the 79th minute they countered on Garston again, after a decent cross from C.Comerford that Howell attempted to get on the end of the ball deflected out for Saxby who tucked the ball into the bottom corner! He and the crowd were jubilent as a real fans favourite got his first of the season. 3-2 Facelad in a very exciting game for the neutrals. Garston were throwing more and more men forward and at one point looked to be in but for late challenge from Lawrence, the Garston players seemed to argue he was last man and unsportingly called for the red. The referee went to his pocket... Just a yellow. Certainly one to debate, could of gone either way. However this excitment was short lived, having a lead to lose left Facelad slightly nervous and they started to get deeper attempting to protect the lead. Deep into the game Newman lunged into a challenge wide on the left, a silly challenge that saw him booked. The delivery from the free kick was near enough perfect and in this reporters opinion there was nothing anyone could of done to stop it, headed in, goal for Garston! 3-3 with minutes left to play. The game finished that way in what was probably a fair result for both teams efforts.
#COYF
