Heybridge Swifts. One off the bottom of the League and in the relegation dog-fight. They have won only once in the last 12 games and scored in only 2 of the last 7. City come to East Essex looking for their 3rd successive victory, a feat not achieved since the opening run of 7 wins.
For tonight, Cookie selected White in goal, 4 at the back: Evans, Moran, Naylor (C), and Lodge; 4 in the middle Young, Challinor, Hyatt and Kean; and up front: Crawshaw and De Souza. On the bench: Martin, himself, Deacon Seeby and me. No he didn't. I dreamt that last one but I would be willing to make up the numbers, just in case of an outbreak of food poisoning or something during the game.
A bright start by both sides with chances at either end. The home side caused some problems for City but as the game settled, the visitors began to take control. It was good, confident football by The Saints once again. The opening goal came midway through the half when a free kick from Lodge, impressive again tonight, was met with a bullet header into the top corner of the net. A fine goal, but an own goal by Lee Kersey. 0-1. Ten minutes before the break it was 2 when Young appeared to be bundled over in the box and Crawshaw despatched the spot-kick. 0-2. H.T.
The second half followed the first, as usual. City were on top but half chances came at both ends. 10 minutes into the half a speculative long ball from the home defence found Lowe in space who gave White no chance with a firm shot. 1-2. 10 minutes later, Challinor, my MotM tonight, took the ball from midfield beat severall defenders and found De Souza in the box who scored . 1-3. City dominated possession for the last 20 minutes of normal time.
5 seconds into injury time, a long ball from defence found Lowe wide on the right, to me, in an offside position. A run down the wing and a cross to the middle found Opara, to me, in an off-side position, who headed past the stranded White. 2-3. 90 seconds later, a long shot from Opara was parried by the visitors' keeper but Budge was first to the rebound who scored the equaliser. 3-3 F.T.
City will be devastated. In control of the match, playing good football throughout and for the second game in succession, the opposition scored twice in injury time. Tonight, although I believe that God takes little interest in football as He prefers the oval-shaped ball, I can't help thinking that He had this match down His coupon as a score draw.
It's difficult to mark this one, but at 90 minutes it was:
Entertainment 8/10. Atmosphere 7/10. Technical Merit 8/10. Referee 4/10.
Report by Awayday |
