There aren’t many teams across the country who could compete with the remarkable goals per game ratio that Letchworth Albion have notched up this season. But against White Horse Kimpton, a team who have only conceded 8 goals all season prior to today’s encounter, the pundits were predicting a tight game.
The Albion, however, never fail to deliver entertainment and it is fair to say that the crowd were left speechless as they slipped 3-0 down within the first half an hour through a comprehensive catalogue of defensive errors. The wait for the elusive clean sheet continues
A poor start though sparked the team into life and Albion quickly pulled one back through Ian Holyer’s cool finish after a trademark mazy run. The cultured northerner, whose favourite drink is a Bovril whiskey chaser, was spotted by the paparazzi pre match running away from the ground to a nearby public lavatory. His “runs” however throughout the match were a constant thorn in the oppositions defence and the Albion closed the gap further as he set up Tony Davies who then finished exquisitely to make it 3-2.
Half Time: Letchworth Albion 2 – White Horse Kimpton 3.
A dramatic comeback was complete early on in the second half as Rob Curry popped up to level the game 3-3. But the Albion fell behind again soon after, thus leading to Mike Chiu’s decision to bring on winger Chris List in order to add some fresh legs to the Albion’s attack.
The tactical switch brought rewards instantaneously as Albion pulled it back to 4-4 with an excellent finish from Ian Holyer after great build up play between Chris List & Tony Davies.
Albion’s kamikaze defending approach was then again undone as a dubious penalty was awarded to the visitors. A fantastic save from ‘keeper Adrian Grainge kept the Albion in the game as he dived to his right to deny the Kimptons strikers fizzing effort.
With five minutes to go the game was seemingly heading to an anything but bore draw with the teams level at 4-4. Manager Chiu made his final substitution in bringing on Matt Cartwright for the curly haired midfield maestro Allan Woods.
With the clock winding down Albion win a free kick 28.43 yards from goal. Up steps captain Rikki Holland to take the kick. With a ballooning effort, an Albion player (who shall remain nameless) screams out his disgust at the effort before seeing it nestle in the top corner of the net. Cue scenes of pandemonium as Mike Chiu is mobbed by the team, resulting in the managers early learning centre coat being ruined on its first outing. Mummy bear will not be happy.
Critics have already begun to suggest that this was a contrived celebration, ordered by the pint sized china man, but it remains to be seen whether Chiu will continue to impersonate AVB’s managerial madness. Who needs defenders anyway?
Full Time: Letchworth Albion 5 – White Horse Kimpton 4
