WE COME AWAY WITH A DRAW FROM THIS CRAZY GAME

For the second weekend running we travelled to the home of Arlesey Town for our 4th league game of the season. The previous Saturday we came away with an impressive 2-0 win over Arlesey’s ground share partner Baldock Town and we followed that up in midweek with an even better 1-0 win over a tough Colney Heath side. With over 75% of this game gone and with us looking commanding and leading 1-0 our supporters must have been wishing that we would go on and collect our 3rd win and clean sheet on the trot. But then as someone commented the game went crazy with 5 goals scored in the last 20 minutes of normal time.

It was certainly disappointing to drop 2 points when in a good position and with less than a quarter of the game left but you have got to give credit to our hosts who raised their game significantly and to their influential midfielder Reece Crowter who bagged a hat-trick in just 8 minutes. From our point of view we performed poorly during that period and we were relieved to grab a point with an equaliser in time added on.

We started well and we should have had a penalty after only 4 minutes when Harry Jones set up Josh Chamberlain who rounded the keeper and then saw his goal bound shot kept out by the arm of a defender. It was such a clear cut decision that it is puzzling why it was not given.

We dominated the first half in terms of possession and territory and we had a lot of free kicks in good positions near the oppositions area, but we failed to take advantage of these opportunities or to create many clear scoring chances. Dave O’Connor did force the keeper to get down quickly to save his flick cum shot in the 32nd minute and Harry Jones went closer just before half time when his shot was superbly saved by the keeper although it did look like the ball had hit Harry’s arm but again nothing was given.

Arlesey had 2 opportunities following slack passes by us but fortunately we were able to get back quickly and prevent any damage. Our hosts did improve as the half wore on but for the main we looked the better side without having anything to show for it. HT Score 0-0.
In the 3rd minute of the second half we finally broke the ice when Max Hercules smashed a shot that the keeper parried away and when the ball was played back into the area Dave O’Connor was on hand to score. Score 0-1. Three minutes later Harry Jones was inches away from doubling our lead when he lobbed the keeper who was well out of his goal only to see the ball bounce agonisingly just wide of the far post.

We had in the main looked comfortable but on the hour mark we had a narrow escape when we again gave the ball away cheaply and the home centre forward nearly took advantage when his shot hit the bar. This lifted the spirits of the home side and then we had a nightmare 8 minute period when we conceded 3 goals all scored by Reece Crowter. We did pull a goal back between the 2nd and 3rd goal when Jack Harvey headed home a lovely free kick from Lee Stobbs. Score 3-2.

After being in control for much of the match we were now chasing the game. We were hit with another controversial moment in the 82nd minute when Josh Chamberlain rounded the keeper but was clipped from behind and was falling as he tried to slot the ball into the empty net. Again our appeals were turned down.

With the clock ticking down we finally got the equaliser two minutes into time added on when Dave O’Connor got his second of the match slotting home Jack Harvey’s cross. There was one last anxious moment but Eric Negraru made a great save to tip a shot from Arlesey’s centre round the post. FT Score 3-3.

For the neutral spectator this must have been a cracking game to watch but for both sets of supporters it must have had its moment of agony. At the end both teams will be disappointed that they didn’t win but also be happy that they at least got a draw.

We now have a weeks grace before we entertain Biggleswade United at home on Saturday for a top of the table clash with our guests keeping us out of the top spot by having scored more goals than us.

Team: Eric Negraru, Lee Stobbs (Capt), Jamie Ovington (Frankie Hercules 62), Tommy Smith (Harrison Mead 72), Dave O’Connor (Lenny Armstrong 90+4), Greg Deer, Harry Shepherd, Jack Harvey, Max Hercules, Josh Chamberlain, Harry Jones (Adam Sawyer 78).

Goals:

AT: Reece Crowter (69, 73, 77)

TA: Dave O’Connor (48, 90+2), Jack Hervey (76)

Crowd: