Despite having a strong squad and playing against 10 men for half the match, we lost 4-2 to a team that we really should have beaten.
Plumtree started the game slowly and could have been 2 goals down in the first 5 minutes due to sloppy defending from the entire team. After the initial chances, the game became more even with both teams having a fair share of possession and both keepers having to make a couple of decent saves.
Unfortunately for Plumtree, a 5 minute spell of poor defending saw Chequers score 2 simple goals and the temperature on the pitch increase. A number of unpunished tackles and baiting from the sideline ended with Omar fouling the Chequers captain and then it all kicked off.
The pint sized Chequers player took exception to the tackle and raised his hands against Omar, prompting the ref to rightly issue a red card and send the miscreant for an early bath. Omar was also rightly booked for the initial tackle and the ref also booked the opposition linesman for dissent.
Two goals down against 10 men and with 5 minutes to half time, it looked like Plumtree might be able to get something out of the game but unfortunately, they conceded another soft goal to go in at half time 3-0.
Despite having 10 men, Chequers continued to be a threat on the attack and Steff Kendal sprung the offside trap and was clumsily brought down by the Plumtree keeper. The penalty was converted and Plumtree had a mountain to climb at 4-0 down.
The final substitution was made for Plumtree and to their credit they continued to push forward and were rewarded with a goal in the 75th minute. Chris Hankinson won the ball and laid off a pass to Austin who curled a fantastic shot into the top corner, giving the keeper no chance. Plumtree’s persistence was further rewarded with a second goal, after Matt Court passed to Mark Hawkins who finished coolly from 10 yards out.
Chris Kay was the man of the match and we can look forward to another pleasant game against the same opposition in two weeks time.
