|
NLCFC
vs Music Choice NLCFC
NLCFC 4, Music Choice 5 A
match played in good spirit between well matched teams produced some fine
football and well worked goals. Crickets
opened the scoring when Buffery tore down the right wing and shot to the
far post. Choice's keeper was beaten, but the post was not. Fortunately
Wakeford was on hand to force the rebound over the line. Choice
stepped up their game, with particularly fine play from their wingers and
forwards. Two goals soon followed, including a wonder chip from 30 yards
that reserve keeper Jon flood was unable to claw out. Half
time found the crickets still confident of a win despite being a goal
down, as they were now kicking towards the better kept part of a generally
muddy pitch. The equaliser came when the ever present Gaffney won the ball
in midfield and fed Wakeford with his back to goal. A slightly overplayed
layoff was nevertheless charged down by the marauding Buffery, and Creasy
was on hand to pass the ball into the open net. Music
choice again went ahead, but the crickets were by now enjoying most of the
play. One of many crosses from the left was well directed into the top
corner by Jon Robinson’s Head. The lead was then grabbed for the first
time in the match when Gaffney fed O’Hagan on the right. A fine low
cross made Wakeford’s job a simple one at the far post. Throughout
the game the cricket’s defence, Salman Ali returning, and Guy Nicholson
filling in well for his missing namesake (Cas Nicholson), was well led by
the strength of Mills and the persistence of Torres Navva. All year the
crickets defence has allowed their forwards to play, safe in the knowledge
that the normally ever present 'crap' goals at this level, are something
of a rarity. The crickets needed one more goal to make sure of the game and chances flowed. Buffery came close with a desperate slide in at the far post after a flowing move up the left, Creasy's chip floated agonisingly over, O'Hagan's swivelling shot in the box connected only with thin air, Robinsons fine turn and shot again flew the wrong side of the crossbar, and Gaffneys shot from the right narrowly missed the angle So,
despite still being ahead on 88 minutes,
the crickets contrived to lose. A quick move up the productive right
flank ended in a shot that Flood could only parry to the far post.
Choice’s striker finished from close range. Straight from the kick off
the ball was intercepted on the same flank and was again worked well to a
man on the edge of the area. His shot rebounded from the bar, but landed
straight in the path of another choice player. The points were duly
snatched. The
Crickets must now regroup, and remember that they will be league champions
if they win all their remaining games. This performance was a vast
improvement on the previous week, and I feel confident we can string
another five match winning run together, as long as availability remains
strong. MOM-
Craig Gaffney
|