League favourites-F.C Jager, limped to a 3-3 draw with Bradford Renegades, who perhaps will feel a little hard done by to not come away with the 2 points. Jager started reasonably brightly and knocked the ball around quite nicely in the opening exchanges. And Jager thought they had taken the lead on 10 minutes, when Simon Gillatt had a goal ruled out for offside after the referee consulted the linesman. But the hard working Renegades soon got into their rhythm and began to take control of the game. And they deservedly took the lead on 20 minutes, when Jager keeper-Dave Butler wastefully parried the ball out for a corner when the shot was going well wide. Renegades scored from the resulting corner, with Sam Pugh stabbing the ball home after a goalmouth scramble. Jager began to give the ball away lazily and it wasn't too long before Renegades were 2-0 up. Player manager-Lance Davies took advantage of some half hearted challenges from the Jager midfield and defence and skipped past several players before unleashing a great finish from 18 yards out to increase their lead. Renegades were on the ascendency and carved out chance after chance and only poor finishing and some good goalkeeping from Dave Butler kept the score below 5 before the half time whistle.
The second half seen Jager change their formation and a change of personnel. Dan Waylen and Dean Moore entered the field and Jager began to finally play some good football. 15 minutes into the half, Jager managed to pull a goal back courtesy of Danny Griffiths, who stole infront of the Renegades keeper to poke the ball in from 8 yards. With Jager sensing an equaliser-they began to push men forward and it was because of this, Renegades managed to catch a third goal on the counter attack. Jim Meade breaking free and finishing well from the edge of the box to seemingly put the game beyond doubt with 15 minutes left on the clock. Jager showed great character though and with 10 minutes remaining they were awarded a lifeline when Danny Griffiths was brought down in the box for a penalty. Simon Gillatt stepped up and finished well for 3-2. With their backs against the wall-Renegades seemed happy to sit on the 3-2 scoreline and defended desperately to hold on. But with time running out, Jager were yet again awarded a penalty when Danny Griffiths was brought down for a second time in the box. Simon Gillatt held his nerve and powered the penalty home to equalise. In the dying minutes, Jager almost stole a win, with Gillatt snatching at a half chance.
Although Jager were the better side in the second half, Renegades will probably feel hard done by, and arguably would have won the game with a bit more luck and some better finishing. Whilst Jager will come away happy to have come away with one point after a dreadful performance in the first half. One positive to come out of the game for Jager, was the performance of substitutes-Dan Waylen and Dean Moore. Waylen picked up Man of the match-despite only playing 35 minutes of football and Moore made several last ditch tackles that kept Jager in the game.
