Athletic made a lively start to the match. Barrett and Babington both had shots saved and both hit the side netting in the early exchanges. Lazarus fired over from the edge of the box and Lucas-Howells was unable to latch onto a through ball which the keeper covered well. The lack of conviction in front of goal was almost punished as the opposition broke free, but a one on one saw Chaston come out on top, producing a fine save to protect the Athletic goal.
The deadlock was broken when a foul on Lazarus gave Athletic a Free kick in a central area just outside the box. Lucas-Howells placed the ball and fired a shot into the top corner to send Athletic into a deserved one nil lead. Lovely strike!
When the goal alarm sounded, the players hit snooze, and they were soon finding themselves level again when a long ball sent the opposition through and and this time the attacker made no mistake to make it 1-1. The Athletic squad again reached over and hit the snooze button, ‘5 more minutes’ (we’ve all had those mornings). A corner to the opposition saw a ball played into the middle of the box, and without a challenge the opposition were able to head the ball into the corner for a 2-1 lead.
Time to wake up, and wake up they did, jumping into action with a vigour epitomised by Babington in central midfield, who produced a tenacious 10 minute spell to try and reverse proceedings. The team followed the example and were back on top. The defence looked its usual solid self again, as Mortimer calmly intercepted the ball before rolling it to McLeese whose cross field ball found Barrett. The shot wasn’t pure and the keeper turned it wide. Babington grabbed the ball and delivered a whipping cross into the middle. The ball evaded all and nestled into the far corner. His performance deserved a goal, and sent Athletic into half time with a deserved Desmond.
An easier than anticipated HT talk, saw the boys return to action with a spring in their step. Barrett fired wide and Babington hit the post, before Barrett found Lucas-Howells who netted for the second time giving Athletic a 3-2 lead.
Just like buses, another followed in quick succession. A lovely interchange of Babington to Gough, Gough to Babington, Babington to Gough, saw Gough clean through and he made no mistake slotting the ball home and peeling away in his trademark celebration. There’s a reason we practice quick, short, sharp passing with a focus on movement. :)
A goal from nowhere saw the lead reduced to one as the opposition made it 4-3, much against the run of the play and unfortunate on the Athletic defence and midfield who had been in total command all of the second half. The heads didn’t drop, and they continued in the same vein. Mortimer made two strong challenges to keep the opposition at bay. Another attack saw the opposition break and round Chaston, who had forced them wide, and gave Blake opportunity to make up ground and deflect what was a certain goal for a corner.
Athletic got back up on top, a Mortimer long range effort sailed over (always worth a pop and they are getting closer)! :) A corner shortly after fell to Gough who grabbed his second of the game and secured the Athletic win.
Harder work than the coaches would have liked, but a good game of football and a good reaction from the boys having gone behind in the first half.
COYY!
