In what would have been otherwise a very unremarkable, overcast, afternoon at Wright Robinson College, Sunday saw a titanic table-top clash between first place Audenshaw FC and second place SG Manchester. Both teams went into this fixture looking to maintain their respective 100% records; AFC having obtained theirs by their reputedly physical style and SG via their fluidic play. It was always going to be an intriguing game, and this one did not disappoint.
SG, the home team, in yellow and black were the first to feel the pressure as AFC, in yellow and blue, came out of the blocks the fastest. Only 4’ into the game and the crossbar had had the most significant touch for the home team; a long-range effort from the left wing beating the keeper, but not the woodwork. SG Manchester, again slow starters, weathered this initial period and finally found their stride. 13’ saw an uncomfortable save for the AFC keeper as Mullaly drilled a powerful shot at goal, 14’ the AFC keeper relied on again as a long-range effort from McGuinness was just tipped over the crossbar and 15’ a low shot from Mullaly skipped just wide of the post. Despite this pressure the away side hadn’t conceded and it looked as if only a piece of sheer brilliance would result in a goal. Fortunately for the home team this came in at 19’ with a dazzling display of talent from left-winger Forrest; dribbling the entire opposing half and past two AFC players before playing-in unmarked Coulston who neatly finished despite a difficult ball. The remainder of the half was at a stalemate, neither side obtaining any great advantage over the other, however a two minute period saw a well-saved shot from SG’s Mullaly from a tight angle at 33’ and an equaliser from the visiting team at 34’. The SG defence had given a solid display, but a mis-clearance leaked through to the opportunistic AFC strike force who when presented with an open-net was unable to miss. The half ended with both sides still confident of victory.
The second half started as the first half had ended: neither side looked to have a significant advantage over the other. A fantastic piece of skill by McGuinness on the right by-line allowed for a goal mouth scramble which could have gone either way, however it was AFC who emerged with the ball and played out of danger, the ball eventually leaked through SG’s defence for AFC’s second opportunistic goal at 57’. The home team could rightfully feel unlucky for this second goal and their luck didn’t look like changing any time soon. By 61’ the ever-threatening McGuinness had created an opportunity for himself within the box from left by-line but had his rear foot clipped from a poorly timed challenge. Despite claims from the entire team, the referee saw no obstruction and let the play carry on. AFC took full advantage of the reeling home side, producing their best play of the match, cutting up the SG defence and sending a shot on-target towards their third. However, a last-second goalmouth clearance from Dale denied Audenshaw that first self-created goal and kept their lead in-check. It was now the visiting team who, upon coming close, were to feel the shock of conceding from a counter attack. At 64’ Kim was relentless in his pursuit of the ball, eventually emerging from numerous tackles with possession and finding Bowen on the right wing. Bowden then led a 3-on-2 counter, playing Kim in via a square ball who dummied, eventually letting in Taylor-Lewis who couldn’t miss. This equaliser swung the momentum fully towards the home side, leaving the visitors disorganised and disheartened. This eventually showed at 71’ when the visitors gave up on what they thought to be a dead ball, which a determined Bowden managed to keep in play. Rounding the keeper, the ball was again played square, this time to Kim, who couldn’t miss, slotting past the last man into the left corner. Despite their bad luck so far, SG Manchester had re-taken their lead, but not by a comfortable margin. Still pressing to secure the victory, SG were denied another stone-wall penalty when an AFC defender blatantly handles within the box at 78’. Undeterred the SG boys piled on the pressure; a fantastic piece of goalkeeping the only thing denying Taylor-Lewis a second after the visiting side tried playing the offside trap within the SG half. Clearly flustered, AFC had succumb to the SG Manchester pressure and had lost their game. A number of poor challenges on goal-bound Forrest cumulated in a terribly-timed challenge, bringing down the left-winger within the box at 85’. Play was once again waved on as it seemed likely that SG were never going to get the penalty they had deserved on numerous occasions throughout the match. In the final minutes tempers boiled over and an Audenshaw FC let himself and his team down with racist dissent aimed at the referee, for which he was rightfully dismissed at 88’. Despite the game ending on a sour note, the victorious SG Manchester were soon in high spirits having come from behind to claim their rightful place at the top of the league.
Exactly a year on from their first game, a 3-0 victory against Hope FC, SG Manchester have all they could have hoped for: a strong squad with great spirit and a 100% record seeing them top the division!
KEEP IT UP SG!
