A tight local derby with Living Hope seeing off Revival Fires by a gnat's whisker. LHC started brightly, our passing and movement was good but we found it difficult to penetrate the final third against some well organised opponents and our final pass was found wanting. We were limited to several long range shots with Cal and Brainy both going close. Revival were unlucky in the 38th minute when they had three shots in one attack. We breathed a collective sigh of relief as the first shot was cleared off the line, the second hit the bar and the third was blocked by a defender before finally being cleared. Just before half time Bob nearly put Lee in on goal but Revival's keeper was smartly off his line to gather the ball. Half time 0-0.
The beginning of the second half saw Revival put the pressure on and we found it hard to get out of our own half. On 50 minutes the Revival's left back went on a run, did a nifty one-two and was in on goal looking certain to score. Up stood goalkeeper and skipper for the day Carl Birch to save the day, diving to his left for a great save. LHC responded well and in the 55th minute took the lead following a corner. Lee I think it was headered the ball and the keeper saved it but set the rebound up for Brainy to net from 10 yards out. Undeterred, Revival responded quickly and again went close as Carl was forced into another great save, parrying a close range shot out for a corner. Another Revival attack again had Carl stretching - this time flicking a looping high shot over the bar. LHC continued to press back and in the 63rd Cal put a high ball over the top of Revival's defence for Brainy to volley just wide. By the 80th minute the game began to open up for LHC as Revival started to chase the game giving us plenty of room to counter. Shane went close on two occasions and Mikey had a volley deflected wide and still the game remained in the balance. The game was finally settled in the 88th minute in the most bizarre fashion imaginable: Revival's keeper threw the ball from the edge of his area only to see the ball hit Callum in the back. Quick as a flash Foxy lashed an attempted high lob over the keeper's head but wide of the goal, amazingly the ball stopped on the goal line. Revival's keeper started walking back to collect the ball and didn't see Brainy steaming in behind him. Brainy beat him to the ball and from an impossible angle forced the ball under the sprawling keeper and into the back of the net to settle the game.
Full marks today to LHC's defence, it's been on the cards for a few weeks now but this was our first clean sheet in our history! A long time to wait but it's been well worth it. Man of the Match, goalkeeper and skipper Carl Birch was superb today as was our back four who fought for everything and did all that was required. Full marks also to Revival Fires today who must feel unlucky not to have earned a share of the points. We have had a tough September and have played the top three in the league plus Revival Fires who are many people's favourites for promotion so seven points from twelve is a great start. Lets hope we can build on this in October.
