Home team St James Community FC hosted league leaders SG Manchester for the 12:15 Kick-Off at Wright Robinson.
The pitch conditions were wet but playable with a slight breeze in the air. SG started well by moving the ball and making St James chase the ball. The table toppers took the lead within 10 minutes when Kim lofted the ball from the left corner to meet Taylor-Lewis who smashed home. St James replied within minutes when a ball was driven from inside the box to beat second choice keeper Brooks. The home team gathered momentum, and long balls in the air worked well while SG attempted to play football but were prohibited by tough late tackles from behind which ref Jeff Barnes appeared unable to respond and control.
It was not just incidents on the pitch that threatened the harmony of this clash, but fights amongst St James players and spectators on the touch-line were an unpleasant feature of this fixture.
St James managed to score another almost 10 minutes after taking the lead when they took advantage from a loose ball to make it 3-1. SG responded when Taylor-Lewis was set free from his marker and latched on to a marvellous ball from McGuiness. Taylor-Lewis was fortunate to get a deflection which beat the keeper to make it 3-2. Ste Ford made his league debut replacing an unwell McGivern on 35 minutes. 3-2 at the half-time interval.
Barber brought himself on for Taylor-Lewis, which saw Coulsten move up-front as a lone striker. SG again started better and moved the ball around sharer and quicker than their opponents. Although SG made many chances, they struggled to finish when needed. St James still relied on the long ball and broke down SG's chances by reverting to mind-less tackling from behind when in danger. St James made it 4-2 against the run of play when their left back was unchallenged and managed to get a flick from a shot outside the box. Dale replaced McFetridge on 65 and O'Brien made his league debut replacing Kim. It appeared like St James were getting the rub of the green and this was evident when they converted home after a scramble in the box to make it 5-2. The game ended at 5-2, yet the game was disgraced by St James's manager and spectators who were clearly heard urging their right winger to elbow SG's interim full-back Forrest during a 1-1 challenge for the ball. Clearly this is not good for the game and SG Manchester FC will be making a full complaint about this incident to the League.
Getting back to the game, SG Manchester will feel hard done by after this result, but they can hold their heads high after attempting to play football on the day. It is still early days and only 4 games played so far. Come on SG we will look forward to this return fixture!
