We left it late but better late than never. It may have felt we were never going to get this away day victory feeling but when at last it came every player and supporter alike gave a little jump for joy. On a bitter sunday afternoon we kicked off into the face of a biting breeze but still managed to look the stronger of the two sides. Tyler and Charlie were linking well and creating space and opportunities for each other whenever they could beat the offside trap. Ned and George worked hard in the centre of the pitch with Harlie and Sam offering width on either flank. The back four looked composed on the ball and it was great to welcome a new face with Dominic Warner making a fine debut alongside the impressive Tom, Joe and Luke. Isaac looked assured in behind dealing with plenty of overhit passes and back passes from his own team. Tyler and Charlie both went close in the early exchages and George had a free-kick well saved from the Tower keeper. From another Coombes free-kick attempt we were suddenly caught short at the back. The goalie got to Georges' cross and launched a huge punt upfield where the Tower striker made the most of an unusual bounce to skip clear and lob over Isaac to score against the run of play. This was a set back and we did well to stop any further goals as the Tower Hill Stars bouyed by the goal looked to add a second before the break.
We spoke at half-time about taking the game to them and making the most of the breeze without resorting to the big hump. From the very outset Harlie and Ned burst down the right wing creating an opening for George. George cracked goalward but the attempt was blocked into Neds' path , Ned had a crack but the ball was hacked out as far as Joe. Joe then lifted a superb cross into the box where Ty volleyed wide but this had given us the momentum we needed. The hosts were struggling to get out of their half and when Charlie skipped onto another slide rule pass from Ned it looked like we must score but the striker could only find the keepers gloves. The pressure was mounting and at last we got the breakthrough when under pressure from Dom the home keeper knocked the ball down into Lukes' path and our fourty yard king was never going to miss from three. Tyler blazed over soon after after brilliant build up play and Harlie shot across the face of goal as we searched for number two. With a flurry of subs entering the fray from an earlier game with Tower Hills senior side the game began to ebb and flow and suddenly we were facing a very different opponent. Luke marshalled the backline and Tom, Dom and Joe supported well by Isaac were not going to be beaten again today. In midfield George and Ned went up a gear with Harlie and Sam pushing hard on the wings and both Tyler and Charlie still menacing the home defence. You could sense there would be a winner. When Charlie raced on to Georges'pass late in the game we sighed as again the ball past the wrong side of the post. Tower pushed players up looking to snatch the game but then came the decisive move. Luke broke up the attack on the edge of our box and raced out with the ball beyond halfway before lifting a wonderful pass over the home defence. Sam burst through from a wide position and timed his shot to perfection waiting for the right moment to loft the ball over the advancing keeper. We all held our breath for a split second as the ball clipped the post then nestled into the back of the net. There was just time to re-start the game before the ref could blow the final whistle, YEEEHAAH ! Every player and supporter alike left the field beaming with delight after a great display all round. We can now look forward to a strong run in with our nearest competitors to face in the coming weeks.
