After 2 years in the second division it was time to face Meredith Road (MR) again. With a weakened side Affinity would meet MR without any Cordens first the first time and MR only featured one Faulkner.
MR dominated the early exchanges with Affinity struggling to settle against MR's 3-5-2 formation. MR stretched the Affinity back line on a number of occasions and scored their first goal with a cross shot from the right over Gary into the opposite top corner of the net.
MR continued to look the most likely to score again with some fluid movement but Affinity were battling to keep the game an even contest. Luke DW in his first Affinity game was making a real nuisance of himself on the right side mixing it up with the MR attack. A fine save from Gary and a goaline clearance from Steve kept the scores level.
MR retook the lead with a fine run across the Affinity defence and a shot finding the opposite corner again. Affinity's response was again spirited with Josh P making some fine runs. The scores were level again before half time with James' free kick from the right finding its way straight into the net despite attempts from players from both sides trying to meet it.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with MR on the front foot. MR's third goal had a little help from the Affinity defence with another cross shot being deflected into the corner. A fourth followed shortly again leaving Gary no chance as a speculative lob shot nestled into the top right hand corner.
Down but not out Affinity took a stop in play to change formation matching MR's 3-5-2. The next passage of play evened the possession up win Affinity playing in MR's half of the pitch more regularly than at any other point in the game so far. A quickly taken free kick by Luke R found the top corner of the net before MR has arranged a now totally unnecessary wall.
The final phase of the game saw play open up with attacks from both sides. A last gasp goaline clearance from Gilly could not keep the score at 4-3 with MR scoring a fifth goal with a powerful header again finding the corner.
Disappointed but not down beat Affinity look to getting back on the winning trail with Mosaic next up. Man of the match goes to Luke DW with a fine debut performance in the right back position
