Town came into this game looking to avenge a defeat two weeks previous, but with a lightweight squad including only 1 fit sub in Mark Edwards it was gonna take some hard work. Missing from the squad was Childs, Mike Migliori, Georgiou, wingrave, Brooks and after a bad injury last week Keeper and captain Sibley looks to be out for 4-6 weeks. Taking the gloves was Lee Morris and the armband was given to birthday boy Marshall in the centre of the park. Into the side came Ottaway left mid with Dave migliori returning to left back, Piedot partnered Mattacks in attack with a change back to 4-4-2 and Andrews made a welcome return to the centre of the defence.
The game started slowly with neither team getting a foothold into the game and both looking nervous on the ball, Town should have been awarded a penalty after 15 minutes when a cross into the box saw Marshall go for the ball only to see the red lion keeper come straight through the back of him winning no part of the ball but amazingly the ref waved play on. After this red lion started to take control with their front 3 in particular harman causing plenty of problems. their first chance came when a hopeful ball over right back greenalls head was met by the winger but his shot was smartly parried away by Morris. Red lion were on top now and it was indeed Morris who once again had to produce a good save to tip over after Harman was given to much time on the edge of the area. It wouldnt be long however till they took the lead when a short corner found the town defence sleeping and Harman ran towards the box under no pressure and drilled it into the corner. This prompted a change as piedot was sent wide right and Christie placed up top in a n attempt to equalise. The creativity wasnt good wide do and the service to the front men wasnt up to its ususal standards as they were left feeding of scraps. Despite the best efforts of Marshall and Neale in the centre of midfield there wasnt a lot to work with and Town wernt getting into there usual rythm with lion players getting to much space and opening up the town defence time and time again. In truth they were lucky to go in at half time just a goal down.
Second half started with town showing a bit oif fight and coming into the game more and after winning a couple of corners after some good overlapping runs from Migliori Town equalised after a goal mouth scramble Christie beat oxley to the ball to smash home his second in as many games. This should have proven the catalyst for town but as the previous week it didnt really spark anything despite christie and mattacks showing some good touches up front there was always a lack of support going forward. It wasnt long to Red Lion took the lead again when a corner came in all the Town players ball watched and the away captain had the easy task of heading the ball home from 7 yards. After this Harman pulling the strings for the away side they were getting increasingly on top. They were amazingly awarded a penalty moments later despite the ref admitting after he didnt see it! After a mix up from keeper morris and the defender allowed Forsyth to sneak in Morris produce a great tackle to win the ball only for the ref to point to the spot to the amazement of everyone in the ground. Up stepped the red lion captain but despite going to dive one way Morris managed to stay up stick out a leg and kick the ball wide after a tame penalty.
The rest of the game was thought in the middle and with no real creativity from either side Town bought on Edwards to try and change it but it just wasnt meant to be and they conceded a third 5 minutes from the end when Harman took it past two players into the area to drill home what prooved to be the winner. In truth it was a poor match and the away keeper probably wont have an easier game all season but Town know they are a lot better than this, there passing game just wasnt on show and it will only take one win to kickstart their faultering season, and with plenty of home games to come and Christie coming in and back in amongst the goals then hopefully it will be sooner rather than later.
