On another windy Clacton day, Pathfields players will have been feeling a little bit of deja vu after falling to a second consecutive, and possibly undeserved, 3-2 loss after leading twice.
Three outfield changes made to last week's lineup with 'Spider', Sheppard and Jamie Everitt coming in for Lee Everitt, Max Smith (out through illness) and Thorne, with the slightly adapted formation used of late still being used. A minute silence held before the match to remember those who bravely gave their lives fighting for their country (Just incase anyone has forgotten...).
Pathfields started the game off well, similar to last week week, making the better chances and defending more solidly than their opponents. Playing into the wind made for a difficult half but they combatted it well. It wasn't long before Pathfields took the lead through Danny Meskall, pouncing on a through ball from Marsh, beating the keeper with a slide to slot the ball home.
The scoreline should have been doubled as Meskall made a nuisance of himself again, with a debatable goal-line decision made by the linesman. A fumble by the keeper looked to have crossed the line but a poorly positioned linesman ruled it didn't cross, with the referee in a bad position to judge. Throughout the half, the forward trio of Everitt, Everitt, Meskall and Plant broke well down the wings, tormenting the opponent full-backs.
Regardless of the controversy, Pathfields went in at half time leading by one goal for the second week running.
Second half gets underway with Pathfields playing with the wind, looking to utilise the superior pace of their attacking force. However, it was Little Clacton who scored against the run of play to draw the game level. Pathfields got back down to basics and utilised the wings, creating a few chances down the right before finally taking the lead once more. Plant recieved the ball, knocked it past his marker with the blistering pace and agility of 1992 Olympic Gold medal winner Linford Christie (now, not then) and delivered the most sublime cross you'll see this weekend (if you don't watch MotD) for Danny Meskall to acrobatically turn home in style.
The game then turned however, with Pathfields beginning to lose control of the affair as Little Clacton pushed more men further forward. Kent Regan turned a shot onto his crossbar only for an oncoming striker to turn the ball home and a short while later, Pathfields were once again punished by their failure to get the ball out of the box from a corner.
Sy Thorne replaces player-manager Rob Sheppard, looking to maybe impose a more attacking look to the team in an attempt to salvage something. Another debatable call from the linesman saw Meskall ajudged to be offside from a through ball from Plant, whilst onlookers insisted the call was wrong. A few half chances for either team failed to amound to goals and Pathfields end the game on the wrong side of a hard fought 3-2 scoreline.
