Halfway House 3-2 The Victory Club
Late drama condemed the Victory to another defeat, but this time it was alot closer than usual.
The Victory started in their usual 4-5-1 formation, but in one change Nathan Hudson replaced Greg Davison as Captain.
The Victory started pretty solidly and stand in goalkeeper Rob Timm who had a very good game made a great save low to his right to deny the Halfway House. But from the resulting corner the ball was headered home beyond the helpless Timm.
The Victory pushed hard but there was no goals for them to celebrate before the break just a couple of chances from Hodgson who forced a decent save from the Goalkeeper then horribly got a bicycle kick all wrong much to the amusement of the watching spectators.
Half Time
Steve Jackson was pleased with a pretty solid and non-eventful first half and asked his players to use the slope in the 2nd half.
The Victory started brightly and went close on a couple of occasions from again Hodgson and Harding.
But the sucker punch which have normally ended the game for the Vics, came just after the hour mark when a ball whipped into the box was headed home beyonfd the stranded Timm into the net to make it 2-0.
The Victory though responded magnificently and scored one of the goals of the season (no word of a lie) through Greg Davison who gracefully curled a left footed free kick beyond the keeper into the top corner from all of 30 Yards!
Moments later the impossible became reality as the Victory struck again through Ben Stores. The Victory wasted a set piece opportunity but the 'keeper bowled the ball out to the left back but CB Hudson intercepted and squared the ball to Stores and he gratefully tapped the ball into the empty net to make it 2-2 and in the process score his first league goal in 18 months, he duly celebrated with the delerious Victory following.
The Victory then almost took the lead as Snowdon saw his shot saved and Stores' rebound hacked to safety, the game was really end to end and the Halfway House almost nicked it but once again Rob Timm was at his best to make a great save 1 on 1 with his left foot.
With the game looking like it was going to end a draw, disaster struck a Halfway House midfielder charged into the box and ran into Vics defender Alex Rodgers, the impact knocked both to the floor but there was no appeals from either team, but referee Downey (who had a good game up to that point) pointed to the spot. Jonny Lewis didn't agree with the decision and after a fouled mouthed tirade towards Downey the Victory Full Back was given his marching orders for the 2nd time this season.
After a 5 minute delay the penalty was converted despite Timm guessing the right way, and with it went a well deserved point for The Victory.
Full Time
Steve Jackson can be pleased with the effort and the application heading into the final four games and next season probably in the third division.
