OUR PROFLIGACY IN FRONT OF GOAL PROVES TO BE COSTLY

Its always disappointing to concede a late goal although Jack Sippetts 89th minute finish was a cracker and worthy of winning any game. However, we came away from Colney Heath feeling sorry for ourselves having failed to pick up any points but we only had ourselves to blame because we created enough good chances in the second half to have at least got a point or possibly three.

The goal we did score was down to the superb skills of 17 year old Jonah Howgego who got past three challenges before slotting the ball past former Athletic keeper Connor Sansom. It was Jonah’s debut goal for the First Team and came at a great time just before half time although Bradley Dixon-Smith nearly came up with an immediate equaliser with a rasping shot which our Youth Team keeper Vicente Luciani (standing in our regular custodian Josh Ameganyi) did well to tip over the bar.

Prior to this late activity in the first half there wasn’t much to write home about. Our hosts played their usual high tempo game and put us under pressure by getting the ball forward quickly but by and large we dealt with this threat well enough although Vicente was called upon to make a great save from Bradley Dixon-Smith in the 19th minute.

We didn’t create much either although Josh Chamberlain did well in the 36th minute to rob a defender on the bye line and then find Harry Shepherd in front of goal but a defender did very well to prevent Harry from getting his shot away. The only other moment of hope came just before we scored when Lee Stobbs super cross picked out Harry Shepherd whose header went just wide of the post.

Never the less we were happy to go into the break with a slim lead and the hope that we could build on it in the second half. HT Score 0-1.

We started the second half well with Greg Deer being desperately unlucky to see his header from Lee Stobbs corner hit the post. Then soon afterwards Max Hercules picked our Jonah Howgego with a superb cross field pass. Jonah ran through on goal but Connor Sansom was able to save his effort.
With things looking promising we gave away an unfortunately penalty when Harrison Cornick slipped as he won the tackle but went through and caught the player and a penalty was awarded which the lively centre forward Jack Sippetts tucked away for the equaliser. We can have no complaints about the penalty but it was a cheap way to concede the equaliser. Score 1-1.

It was game on and although we had to withstand some strong attacks we were still creating chances. In the 67th minute we had players over in attack but Max Hercules shot went just wide of the post. Later Max went even closer when his goal bound shot cleared was cleared off the line by a defender who did well to get back. Earlier Greg Deer saw his shot deflected just wide of the goal.

Heath also had their chances and Vicente did very well to save a close range shot and a follow up effort as well. With 5 minutes left on the clock we should have sewn up the 3 points when Jonah Howgego got past his markers on the bye line and sensibly pulled the ball back to Max Hercules who would normally score from this position for fun but unfortunately he sliced his shot wide.

Soon afterwards out hosts grabbed the winner and all three points and moved up one place in the table to 14th, just one place and two points behind us although they have a game in hand. FT Score 2-1.

Our next game will be at the Michael Anthony Stadium on Saturday 2 December when we face Long Buckby from Division 1 in the Challenge Trophy. Before then Jonah, Noah and Vicente will be part of our U18 Team that will play Leyton Orient U18’s at Brisbane Road on Tuesday 28 November. If they win this game our U18’s will then play Newcastle United at St James Park. This is almost surreal that we will be facing the youth sides of firstly a Football League Division 1 side and then possibly a top Premier Division team. We wish all the best on Tuesday.

Team: Vicente Luciani, Lee Stobbs (Capt), Adam Sawyer, Harrison Cornick, Dave O’Connor, Noah Butler (Jac Harvey 79), Jonah Howgego, Harry Shepherd (Frankie Hercules 72), Greg Deer, Josh Chamberlain (Guiseppe Delgaudio 57), Max Hercules. Sub not used: Jamie Ovington, George Carbery.

Goals:

CH: Jack Sippetts (Pen 60,89)

TA: Jonah Howgego (45)

Crowd: 92