Second part of the day's double header and after a right bollocking form Dave as a result of the first game's second half, the Lions battled throughout this match to get a point that was the least we deserved.
Line up
Phil (GK)
Adam (RB), Simon (CB), Brett (CB), Julian (LB)
Lee (RM), Mark (CM), Mike G (LM)
Kyle (RF), Darren (CF), Jon (LF)
We came out for the start, really pumped after the disappointment of the first game and we were so much better this time round. We put them under real pressure straight from the off (with Brett picking up a yellow for a typically robust challenge) but this time the great approach play got the rewards that were so elusive in the previous game.
Mike made a great run down the line and squared the ball into the area at speed where Kyle was on hand to fire in from close range. It was just the start we needed and despite conceding several dangerous free kicks around our area, we managed to hang on to the lead.
We then went one better than that and got a second. After some more pressure, they cleared the ball up to Julian, who put a cross field ball in that found Darren in space on the right hand side of the area. This time he got it spot on and drove his shot across the keeper and into the far side of the goal.
The game was becoming very open which maybe cost us as again defensive frailties bit us where it hurts. They worked the ball down our right and got a good cross in. This was well met on the volley by their striker at near enough point blank range with my fingertips enough to keep it out.
Our response to this was instant and fantastic. Jon worked the ball through to Mike who put in a lovely lob over the keeper to restore the two-goal advantage within a minute.
However, a few minutes later, another ball over the top found its way to their striker just inside our area. The ball seemed to bounce around forever between his leg, but despite Simon trying to get it off him, he managed to dig out a shot that beat me as I rushed out and nestled just inside the post.
They did have one goal disallowed for offside and we probably had more chances too, but a hectic half ended with us just in front after much improved performance.
Don't think there were any changes at half time, but may be wrong.
The second half started with Mike firing a shot wide of goal and then in the very next attack, they scored with a controversial header. Mohican (see first game), once again got free on the right and put a cross in. Julian looked all set to deal with it, but was blatantly shoved forward by their attacker, whose looping header went over me but not over the goal. It was the worst possible start to the second half and we were probably hard done by from the ref, bu t our heads didn't go down this time.
Various chances came and went for both teams as neither us wanted to settle for the point. They had a free kick which was straight at me. I made a save from a volley, Jon put one over the bar, Darren dragged a shot wide when he looked certain to score, Kyle did the same. I had another nervy moment when I dropped a catch and in the resulting scramble, their striker poked it wide of an open goal.
They got their fourth when my goal kick went out to Lee on the right who was dispossessed by Mohican who put the ball into their striker all on his won at the edge of the area. He slotted it past my outstretched hand, but we still battled on and got the break we deserved.
Jon made one of his characteristic runs at goal but we thought he'd overrun it when the keeper came out to collect at his feet. The keeper seemed to spill it through his hands and Jon ran through to finish low into the net.
The final whistle brought the curtain down on an eventful day against the team to beat in the division. We couldn't quite manage it and any faint hopes of the title are now over. We need to concentrate on winning our remaining games to finish as high as possible. We seem to be in danger of becoming the Tottenham/Aston Villa/Man City of the division. We can beat the weaker teams comfortably enough, but struggle against the top ones. That has to change for Woolpack, but first there's the last double header against Chessington Park next week.
