THE TALE OF TWO PENALTIES

With 90 minutes showing on the clock and us holding a 2-1 advantage there was a mad scramble in the opposition’s penalty area followed by a roar from our supporters behind the goal when George Carbery appeared to have been fouled as he tried to shoot. But expectations that we could finally put this game to bed with a penalty were quickly dashed as the referee waved away our appeals.

Worse followed within 2 minutes when we got a “slap in the face” when our opponents were awarded a penalty from which their captain and star player Zenon Stylianides equalised from the spot despite a great effort from Josh Amenganyi who nearly kept it out. To say that the outcome of dropping 2 points was disappointing and a bit frustrating would be a big understatement and shows how far we have come in the last 7 games that we can feel that way against a very good F C Romania side, who put 14 goals in total past Baldock, Arlesey and Cockfosters.

After all the rain that fell over the previous week it was a miracle that the game took place at all and we can thank Darrell Bodimeade who could be seen forking the bottom goal mouth and other muddy patches in the rain before kick off.

With the pitch surprisingly playable both teams set out from the start to play football and they should be praised for producing such a cracking match. Having beaten our opponents 2-0 away four weeks ago we knew they would be a good side with lots of talented players and they didn’t disappoint making a mockery of the slightly slippery surface to pass the ball around and keep possession of the ball.

We certainly matched them and after only 9 minutes we put together a fine move involving Lee Stobbs and Guiseppe Delgaudio with the latter finding Max Hercules at the far post whose shot was blocked. Soon afterwards Zenon Stylianides struck a fine free kick which Josh Ameganyi managed to keep out with Alie Bangura wastefully firing the loose ball over the bar.

Guispeppe Delgaudio produced a moment of magic in the 19th minute when he spotted the keeper was off his line and lofted a shot from around 35 yards that was heading for the goal but the goalie managed to just get back and tip the ball away for a corner. Seven minutes later Seppe was again involved in the action when from a quick break he sent Max Hercules away who did supremely well to score from a tight angle. Score 1-0.

We should have doubled our lead 8 minutes later when Seppe seized on a defensive mistake to set up Harry Shepherd who struck the bar. Our opponents kept probing and Josh Ameganyi made a good save from Malik Nosilce. We were defending well but there was little we could do about stopping our opponents from equalising in the 39th minute when Stefan Balev produced a terrific shot that dipped under the bar. HT Score 1-1.

We started the second half strongly with Max Hercules and Dave O’Connor missing a corner by what a supporter near me called a smidgeon. Spurred on by this near miss we took the lead again in the 52nd minute with a move of some quality. Harry Jones found Seppe who produced a superb round the corner flick to send away Harry Shepherd who kept his cool to loft his shot over the keeper. Score 2-1.

Two minutes later we again carved open the Romania defence and again Seppe was the instigator setting up Harry Shepherd who this time hit the post having hit the cross bar in the first half. Harry is relishing his new role playing further forward in midfield and he was outstanding but he must be wondering how he didn’t grab his first hat-trick for the club. Worryingly Harry later went off with a head injury which we hope is not too serious.

Seppe was on fire latching onto another fine pass from Jamie Ovington and then forcing the keeper into tipping the ball away for a corner. With the chances we had created we should have been out of sight but holding just a one goal lead encouraged our opponents to push forward in search of an equaliser.

FC Romania started to dominate possession but we kept them at bay with some superb defending with full backs Harry Jones and Harrison Cornick doing a terrific job in keeping their dangerous wingers in check as well as DOC and Jamie Ovington who are forming a formidable partnership.

With time almost up came the controversial moment but in truth we hit the woodwork twice and had other scoring opportunities so we should have bagged all three points but credit to our opponents who kept going and showed what a very good footballing side they are.
The draw kept our good run going with just one defeat in our last 7 games and we are now in 9th place just 6 points behind 6th placed Biggleswade United with a game in hand. We now have a two week gap before we face MK Irish at home on Saturday 4 November,

Team:

TA: Josh Ameganyi, Harry Jones, Harrison Cornick, David O’Connor, Jamie Ovington, Lee Stobb s (Capt) (Frankie Hercules 84), Jack Harvey (Lenny Armstrong 87), Noah Butler (Jonah Howgego 68), Max Hercules, Harry Shepherd (George Carbery 73), Guiseppe Delgaudio. Sub Not Used: Adam Sawyer.

Scorers

TA: Max Hercules (26), Harry Shepherd 52)

FCR: Stefan Balev (39), Zenon Stylianides (Pen 90+2)

Crowd: 68