Unlucky Strikers Pegged Back by Penalty

The visit from Lakenheath Youth would be a real test for the Strikers. After losing their opening 3 games Lakenheath merged with another local team and have since taken all available points in the league. With a reputation as a robust and feisty outfit we went into this fixture with some trepidation. Their travelling fanbase exceeded the home supporters two to one and the match was conducted with real atmosphere and edge.

We didn't start on our usual pitch due to some problem with the goals and ended up on the next one over which had a definite slope. The Strikers started playing uphill into the wind and sun. I presume we lost the toss!

Judy had set the team up to be mean and David who was injured earlier in a rugby match opted to stay in goal for both halves. James O, James F, Sammy and Henry W lined up in front of him looking to preserve that excellent defensive record. Midfield was Tom, Leo, Alex S and Owen. Up front we had Pete and Cosmo. Archie, AJ and Josh waited on the sidelines. Lakenheath were soon on the offense and showed why they had such a good track record. They were very mobile and passed well, taking advantage of the slope and pressurising the NST defence. A little chipped pass saw a Lakenheath attacker in on goal but faced with David he put the ball wide. The warning signs were there - it was going to be a testing half.

Although severely pressed the boys performed well keeping the blues at bay. Leo was excellent on the right ensuring that defence was turned into attack and that it wasn't all one way traffic. Unfortunately, the Blues defence was pretty mean as well as Cosmo and Pete found out in the early exchanges. As Lakenheath continued to pile on the pressure they forced the ball out wide and crossed in for an acrobatic finish by their centre forward. Unfortunately for the lad, he was ruled offside despite the protestations of some of the supporters. Judge for yourself in the video clip.

Spurred on the Strikers hit back probing the Lakenheath back four but without success. As the ball came back, another ball over the top put their centre forward through. This time he tried to lob the keeper, but David was too smart for that and gathered well. Soon he was back on the ball and this time put the ball over the bar. Many sighs of relief and furrowed brows in the NST contingent! As we pushed back with some good tackling by AJ the ball ran to Leo who crafted an opportunity for Cosmo, but the Blues defence were quick to react and snuffed out the danger. As Lakenheath threatened our goal again the ref blew for half-time. Phew! A tough half and despite the prospect of the elements and the slope on our side for the second half, I think if Judy had been offered a draw she'd have snatched your hand off ! 

Cosmo had to leave at half time and Alex M has arrived, so Judy has some different options to play with now. After a break the lads are soon back into the fray. The slope and wind are definitely helping and the Strikers are more like their usual, assured selves. Josh is moved back to defence for the second half and James O pushed up front. Tom and Owen are working well in midfield and carve an opening for Pete, but despite his great footwork, Pete is outnumbered and the opportunity passes. Back up the other end, the defence is robust with Sammy and James F snuffing out the danger. When the ball come free, an opportunistic pot shot is well handled by David.

NST win a free kick and the ball falls to Owen who has a dangerous-looking long range effort gathered well by the Lakenheath goalie. We are back in this game now and the pressure on Lakenheath continues to build. Pete is having a great game down the centre and when Owen slots another ball through for him, he's in on goal and it takes three defenders to stop him. Then Tom pops up with a crafty back heel to put Pete in on the edge of the box and although he feeds the ball to Leo there is no way through and Lakenheath are soon back up our end. Josh and Henry W see the danger out. As the ball swings back up yet again Owen bursts through and coolly slots the ball past the keeper despite the close attentions of two Lakenheath defenders. We can hardly believe it ! 1-0 to NST.

The game continues at a thrilling pace. Neither side is comfortable.  Archie now playing forward left battles well against the tough Blues defenders but the ball is soon back up in the NST half. James F makes some excellent last gasp tackles just when Lakenheath seem to be breaking through and Josh clears the lines. We're into the last few minutes and victory is so close. Alex M is on adding some composure to our midfield. A last defiant push by Lakenheath threatens our goal. Sammy and James F converge on the attacker who launches himself into Sam - There's a melee and the result is......Penalty ! Aaaaargh, surely not? But it is.

We can hardly bear to watch. David has played a blinder. Can he keep out just one more shot? The ref blows and the striker smacks the ball goalwards. David saves ! But our cheers are strangled in our throats as the attacker pounces on the rebound and buries it in the back of the net. What a cruel game. The remaining minutes are played out at a nail-biting and frantic pace until Bob mercifully blows for full time.

What a roller-coaster ! The whole team has been terrific. The defence was fantastic with Henry W and Josh playing a cracking game on the wings and Sam and James F holding firm in the centre. The midfield played its part too with Leo's tireless running, Owen really strong against some "robust" challenges and a classy goal, Tom slotting some crafty passes and AJ getting really stuck in to the toughies. Alex S ran his heart out and James O and Archie were industrious and persistant right the way through. Cosmo and Alex M only had a half each but contributed fully and David kept the team in the match at times. Pete kept the Lakenheath defence on their toes, but in the end the man of the match award went to James F for his tenacity and last ditch challenges keeping the Blues at bay. But this was a great team performance and the boys were unlucky not to take all three points.

On the balance of play a draw was probably a fair result, but then Bolton should have beaten Man U yesterday. Since when has football been fair? This was a terrific match played by two excellent teams, but the real winners were Whittlesford who can go second if they win their game in hand. Stay tuned footy fans. It ain't over until the fat lady sings.

Squad: David (Captain), Alex M, Alex S, Leo, Tom, Owen, Josh, James O, Archie, James F, Henry W, Pete (Vice-Captain), Cosmo, Alex J, Sammy,
Scorer: Owen (1)
Man of the Match: James F