A return to the Blue Coat 3G to prevent another cancellation saw St Johns hosting and giving Affinity the chance to put memories of the first half cup tie performance to rest.
With Sean out with tonsillitis Affinity welcomed Josh P back in a centre half pairing with Gilly that would prove significant in the outcome of the game. Affinity’s start was high tempo and controlled with some lovely football being played across the pitch to create space and opportunities moving forward. With Josh very vocal a consistent shape formed at the back giving the platform to start many of Affinity’s moves higher up the pitch.
Although Affinity had most of the possession in these early exchanges St Johns had the first clear opportunity with a striker finding himself unmarked on the penalty spot but pulled his shot well wide in the end. Affinity themselves fashioned a number of chances with Fra going close on two occasions and Chris and Ian firing just over from the edge of the area.
Affinity’s confidence and enjoyment of their play was evident from the sidelines with the defence covering each other to snuff out St Johns attacks and connecting well with the midfield who were creating space with lots of intelligent movement and creating opportunities both through the middle and down both flanks with Andy on the right and Gurps on the left a handful for those marking them. A sweet defence splitting cross field ball from Andy just alluded a stretching Gurps as Affinity’s game showed some expansion as well as the simple short stuff that this performance was being built on.
The St Johns defence were under pressure from not only Fra and Mike P but a mobile midfield and it would be Gurps who would play a key role in the first goal as unlike last week when a penalty wasn’t awarded this week the referee pointed straight to the spot when he was clipped as he went past the defender. Mike A stepped up with an unstoppable penalty clipping the side netting to the keeper’s right.
Affinity were now well on top and playing some lovely football. Aron, in danger of catching a cold, was on his toes and commanding his area to ensure any St Johns’ attacks that breached a solid Affinity defence were snuffed out.
With half time approaching a 2nd Affinity goal came from an unlikely source, a St Johns defender whose lob back to his keeper looped over his head into the net.
A 2-0 lead was the least that the 1st half performance deserved leaving Steve W declaring it was the best half of football he had seen from an Affinity team in many a year. Keep doing what you have been doing was the rallying cry but with the warning that St Johns still had the capability of punishing us if we take our eyes of the ball as we had the previous week.
Affinity started the second half in exactly the way they had ended the first half with plenty of talking, encouragement and possession. Some lovely work all over the pitch with special note for an exquisite goal line cut back from Mike P on the left that surprised attackers and defenders alike as they watched it pass right through them.
Affinity extended their lead with a thing of beauty starting with Henry confidently winning the ball and pushing forward, exchanging passes with Mike A and Gurps who played the ball into Mike P’s stride enabling him to unleash a powerful shot from just outside the right corner of the penalty box that screamed past the keeper’s right hand into the side netting.
Soon after Mike P pulled up with what looked like a hamstring strain. Sensibly he indicated he would need to go off so Mark replaced him moving Gurps moving to right midfield and Andy going up top. As Affinity tried to settle into the new formation St John got themselves a lifeline with a shot from outside the box that looped over Aron’s head.
The game started to have a different feel about it now with St Johns encouraged by the goal finding more possession coming their way. A real contest broke out with both teams pushing forward to find the next goal that might define how the game would end. Affinity restored their 3 goal lead with 15 minutes left with Fra latching onto a sweet ball from Gurps from the right and lobbing the ball over the oncoming keeper; a goal that his determination to keep getting into goalscoring positions deserved.
As with last week’s match the remainder of the game from this point would give any independent observers from the sidelines a real treat but those with an interest in either side a roller coaster ride. A second St Johns’ goal from a throw in that met an attacking head was followed quickly by a third to increase the tension in the Affinity ranks. A fine save from Aron from a direct free kick between these two goals gives a sense of the pressure Affinity had somewhat invited on themselves.
A poor tackle from behind on Gilly forced him to leave the field for the remaining 3 minutes with Will replacing him. In the final minute a lobbed header from a St Johns’ forward towards the goal line on their left glanced the bar and fell to safety on the Affinity left. The final whistle was greeted with a degree of relief from the writer and he suspects a number of his troops on the pitch!
Lots to be really pleased about with this performance especially the first half and a superb team goal in the second half. Closing games out from a position of strength is clearly something to work on in the coming weeks but Affinity can be pleased with moving up to 5th in the league a position that might not have seemed possible after the first couple of games this season.
Deciding who the man of the match would be with such a positive performance from all players was a difficult one but it’s given to Josh P for a commanding and vocal performance, giving very little away and winning most of the headers he was in competition with others with. His ability to coach fellow defenders and Aron during the game brought out the best in them as well, an attribute that adds real value.
Special mention also to Henry at right back and Andy at right midfield whose performances and interaction with each other was significant in defence and attack. Also to Gurps who is turning into an assist wizard, Chris again covering ground all over the pitch and Mike P for a stunning finish. A week off next Saturday so here’s hoping for some good news about Gilly and Mike P’s injuries prior to the game against Cov Saints which might indicate if this season might offer something more than simply being competitive
