After a break of 6 weeks from the league, we finally managed to get a game and start the second half of the promotion push. LHC travelled to Lion Farm to face a Common Ground side which has been having mixed fortunes so far during the season.
The key to winning this match was dominating the midfield and shutting off the service to the 2 Common Ground strikers. With this in mind LHC started out in a 4-5-1 formation with Bob the lone striker and Shane forming a central midfield trio with Webby and Callum. The early pressure was with LHC but we were unable to test the keeper with all the early shots no where near the target. As the half progressed Common Ground started to have chances of their own. Carl did well to mop up the lose balls being played through the defence, but in the 35 minute the Common Ground right winger skipped past Josh and crossed the ball in from the edge of the area. The ball was headed clear but only out to the central edge of the area where an opposition striker collected the ball and squeezed the ball under the cross bar and into the back of the net. 1-0 Common Ground. As half time approached, LHC started to put more pressure on again. A long clearance down field beat the Common Ground defence and Bob manage to run on to the lose ball. He was unlucky to score but the Common Ground keeper managed to get down to his left to black the shot and hold on to the ball. 1-0 at Half time.
The second half kicked off with Common ground again having most of the pressure and after 10 minutes LHC were 2-0 down. The ball being poked home after a bit of a scramble in the LHC box. It was no that we decided to go for broke in a game that we needed to pick up points from if we wanted to keep the promotion dream alive. Lee made way for Robbie who for the first time in the league this season went up front with Bob. After this we started to find our feet a little bit and looked more dangerous passing the ball around on the floor instead of trying to chip the ball into advanced positions. With 20 mintues left and being 2-0 down, LHC changed to a 3-5-2 formation. Josh pushed forward to the left wing spot and instantly went on a run, skipping around 2 Common Ground players and linking up with Webby and Callum. This moved ended in a cross from Josh that LHC were unlucky to not convert. This proved to be the lifting point for us and all of a sudden everybody on the pitch was starting to move the ball around like we have seen before Christmas. 15 minutes from the end our pressure paid off. Webby took one of his usual long throws from which Bob managed to flick on with his head. The ball looped over the Common Ground keeper and was in the net. A bit of discussion from the lads on this one as Robbie also got a touch on the ball, however the majority of players believe his touch came just after the ball was over the line. Sorry Robbie, this one is Bob's. LHC kept the pressure on in search of the equalising goal. In the 85 minute LHC won a corner, Callum put the ball into the box and Webby was there to meet it with his head. The ball hit the keepers hands but still went into the net to bring the sides level with 5 minutes to go. Both sides were unlucky to get the winner, Common Ground had a good shot saved by Carl and LHC had a few but just couldn't find the net. 2-2 final score.
A poor performance that turned into a good one in the second half. Webby and Callum worked hard in midfield with both of them passing the ball around and linking up with both wingers. The turning point of the match was Josh being pushed into left wing. His contribution today lifted the team and lead to the majority of the chances LHC had in the second half of the match. A man of the match performance.
Charlemont Star up next who we are yet to play. The League table and results suggest they are one of the weaker teams in the division, always a potential bannana skin though.
