AFCB Devs visited us at Chapel Gate with both teams unbeaten in the league, so all expected a tight game. At halftime, the score remained 0-0, meeting expectations. However, that didn’t tell the whole story. Clarke had to make one smart save at the AFCB striker’s feet and punch away the odd lofted setpiece. While at the other end, Eden, and Brewer were threatening, while Asira and Mosely, with the two best chances of the half, and perhaps game, couldn’t beat the goalkeeper from close range. Frustrations were starting to boil. Sports played with less calmness and dominance as the game went on, and the AFCB players were happy to play long on the break.

The second half started much like the first, AFCB soaking up pressure and countering quickly. 10 mins flew by with not much threat, then a wicked cross from the right, missed at the front post, found Mosely again, who found the up for it AFCB keeper who could only block the shot towards the back post where Asira pounced to make it 1-0 against her old club. That must have felt nice!

Unfortunately, this didn’t settle the Sports players who had the better of the game, but nothing quite resembled dominance for a local derby, and it always felt that AFCB would get a goal. It eventually came by way of a long ball over our defence and the lively AFCB winger getting a rare touch in our box and then evading a tackle from the Sport’s defender who caught the leg. Not enough to topple the player, but sufficient for the Ref to award the spot-kick with little hesitation. Pen dispatched hard and high, 1-1.

What followed was a tentative display not worthy of a winner. Sports continued to have better chances, and their GK was called into swift action on a few occasions. But AFCB still carried a threat and both teams could have stolen it towards the end.

Manager’s player went to Rosie Eden for being a consistent threat
The Player’s player went to Jas Hughes for dominating a tight midfield