The new season started with a trip down memory lane to a pitch we haven’t played on for a few years. Some things don’t change though including a game played in the right spirit when LOWFORS are in town and the belief that Affinity can get the better of them.
Affinity welcomed Gary B to the fold between the sticks and an old friend Greg to the team.
It had been just over 3 months since Affinity had played a competitive game and it showed in the early exchanges with LOWFORS on the front foot from the start and they took an early lead when a ball over the top of the defence wasn’t dealt with leaving an attacker to slip the ball under an approaching Gary.
Things got worse before they got better for Affinity when they gave LOWFORS players too much time and room on the edge of the area and a sharp finish in the bottom right hand corner gave Gary no chance.
Affinity’s response was to tighten up and start battling, closing players down and putting their bodies on the line to block shots and Gary made a fine double save to keep Affinity in the game. At the same time Affinity became an offensive threat with Jordan providing the impetus from the back and Josh P and Jobo putting pressure on the LOWFORS defence.
A two goal deficit at half time didn’t dampen Affinity spirits and a stirring start to the second half with a tightening of the defence and Jamie and Gary getting a firm grip on centre midfield. Sean and Charlie on the left and James and Greg on the right were creating opportunities for Josh and Jobo. Ian and Gilly looked really solid and choked out the through balls that were becoming increasingly longer.
Affinity’s pressure paid dividends with James slotting home with a shot across the area following a lay off from Josh. The goal inspired further pressure and an equaliser came from Josh P dinking the ball over their keeper after a run from Jobo that took him past four LOWFORS players before a shot rebounded to Josh.
An inspired change on 70 minutes brought immediate rewards with Steve guiding a bouncing ball from a throw into the top left hand corner with his first touch. With confidence high Affinity pushed for a fourth and Josh placed a header just wide having made good ground to meet Greg’s cross.
Totally against the run of play LOWFORS were back level with a lob over Gary from a big goal kick. With the minutes ticking down nether team wanted to settle for a point but it was Affinity who would take the spoils from an own goal forced by some fine work by Greg whose cross had to be dealt with and the unfortunate defender glanced the ball into the corner of the net.
Plenty to be encouraged about and a few things to work hard on. An argument could be made for many of the team to be man of the match. Sean just shades it with an accomplished left side performance especially in the second half
