Gritty City Chiller Thriller settled by half chances

A League Challenge Cup second round tie against St Albans City South. With the team set up to play to individual player strengths and skills, we started well winning plenty of the ball and surprising a City team who seemed to think they wouldn't have to play at their best to win. And ten minutes in Sonny surprised them with a trademark shimmy and turn in the box to be bought down by a clumsy City defender challenge. Ben stepped up with a determined frown as the supporters held their breath as a group, and absolutely cannoned the ball into the bottom right hand corner. 1-0 up.

Luke started to work the City defence as our lone striker, holding the ball up well, laying it off and bringing the midfield forward into attack. Deesh, Harry and Joe battled hard in the midfield, whilst Sonny and Bailey were running wide to stretch City on the flanks. In defence Ben looked like a general commanding his troops, whilst Ross was closing down every ball and every run. Add Kade and Ollie as full backs working hard to cover their sides of the pitch, and our defence looked like it would be hard to break. Half time and still 1-0 up.

As the second half started to play out Archie and Zak came on to bring an injection of energy and pace. But after 20 minutes we let City back into the tie conceding at the back post from a free kick. Five minutes later as Harvesters charged the City box, the ball took a ricochet and bounced in front of Zak to the left. Zak coiled like a baseball pitcher to swing his left foot around the ball as it rose, sending it in a low slicing arc into the left hand corner. Back in front for 2-1 and an early entry for our goal of the season.

The game was on a knife edge as play went to and fro from end to end. The crowd didn't know whether to feel thrilled or chilled and the tension felt like it could burst like a water bomb. Just ten minutes from time a City striker snatched at a chance on the edge of the box, swivelling to plant the ball beyond reach to equalise. Then City snatched the lead minutes before the final whistle burying another half chance. Final score a 2-3 loss, and it felt like we deserved more from the game. From maybe six candidates for man of the match Sonny was one of those who stood out most battling, teasing and torturing the City defence.

Roll on next week for the rematch!