Match report this week provided courtesy of Matt Ryan...
Kick-off was delayed for what seemed an eternity due to JP forgetting his folder meaning a quick trip back to Surbiton for him to get it! However, it meant we were even with the oppo as they made us wait in the reverse fixture.
Team:
Dorian
Adam, Simon, Matt, Gary
Lee, Dale, JP
Kyle, Scott, Kev
1st Half:
Eventually the game started but the Lions were still asleep as within 3 mins, a spare ball on the halfway line was picked up by an AFC Reigate player (twat with the yellow socks) who was allowed to break from midfield without being properly closed down, before carrying the ball towards the edge of our own box and toe-poking a smart finish into the bottom corner with Dorian at full stretch. Lions were stunned 1-0 down and Dorian was fuming at the defence for allowing a free run at goal.
The next 10 mins were bit of a blur but Gary was doing a lot of attacking from LB providing some extra spark which led to our equalizer. Good work in midfield led to Gary making a run to oppo's bi-line before cutting back for Scott to lash the ball into the top right corner from 6 yards (I think). 1-1 and game on.
However, back to square one again. A ball over the top of our defence released the AFC's lone striker who skinned Matt by our left corner flag before cutting back to his team-mate to spin and shoot from 6 yards into the bottom corner. 1-2.
The Lions continued to trade blows with AFC Reigate looking to equalise again. Then the unthinkable happened. A throw-in deep in our half landed to their lone striker in the box who took the ball on his chest before trying a crappy acrobatic scissor kick and landing on his arse. Matt had stuck out a leg to block his effort but no real contact was made, but somehow the tosser ref awarded a very soft pen which no-one from the oppo had appealed for. The striker dispatched it pretty much down the middle with Dorian unfortunate not to save it. 3-1.
The first half ended with JP hitting an awkward bounce agonisingly over the bar infront of a crowded penalty box. The Lions were quite down and dejected, with some feeling a possible 2nd half hiding on the cards. One sub was made at HT with Danny coming on for Kyle and switching to LB and Gary pushing up to Left Mid in order to freshen things up.
2nd Half:
JP's inspirational team talk was working dividends as the Lions were actually battling well whilst playing some decent football and retaining possession well. The oppo were reduced to long balls to their lone striker which the defence were capable of dealing with. Within about 20 mins we had a throw-in deep in AFC's half which was launched into their crowded box before being flicked on (not sure who flicked it) to Kev waiting at the back stick to cooly slot the ball into the bottom corner. 3-2. Definitely what we deserved.
Can't remember much after that but 10 mins later at one point the AFC defence had the ball but pressure from the front three of Scott, Kev and Gary resulted in a back-pass to their keeper on the edge of his own box which he blatantly didn't want. In a pitbull manner Gary proceeded to chase down the keeper causing him to panic by lashing away a terrible low clearance which Gary beautifully controlled with his outstretched boot, before composing himself and emphatically placing the ball in the bottom corner with the keeper caught where no keeper wants to be: no man's land. 3-3 and AFC Reigate were shocked.
The last 15mins or so felt like ages, with Dorian making a great save to tip a shot around the post at full stretch. We actually looked like winning it with several chances towards the end, but coming back from 3-1 down at HT to draw 3-3 felt more like a win for us no doubt.
