Old Whitgiftian AFC

1st HALF LINE-UP
QUARTEY BLADES – HIGGINS – TOBIAS– PATRICK AITKEN – JEWELL – McNAMARA – DOLAN LAKHANI – COBBETT (Cpt)

Subs - Chris Clarke, Dan Hawkins, Mike Tarlton

Whits started the game brightly and at their usual high tempo. With the ball at their feet and some sharp passing and good movement off the ball, the visiting side seemed more than capable of causing the hosts all sorts of difficulties. As Glyn settled their confidence grew and they began to play to their strengths in the air, hitting long balls into the corners and into the heart of the defence. Whits response was unsatisfactory, long balls were played and speculative punts up the field served only to give possession to Glyn and did little to alleviate the pressure. Glyn were dominant, and looked threatening from every set piece. Nevertheless, Whits held strong as the home side failed to make their pressure count; Jason at the back impressing on his debut. Indeed it was the visitors who thought they had taken the lead. With the ball at feet Patrick hit a fine ball down the left wing to Cobbett who took on the sweeper before crossing for Lakhani who finished at the near post, what appeared to be a perfectly good goal was disallowed as Cobbett was adjudged to have run the ball out of play. The half time whistle blew soon after at 0-0.

2nd HALF LINE-UP
QUARTEY BLADES – HIGGINS – TOBIAS– PATRICK AITKEN – JEWELL – McNAMARA – DOLAN LAKHANI – COBBETT (Cpt)

Subs - Chris Clarke, Dan Hawkins, Mike Tarlton

With no changes at half time and the game there for the winning, Whits came out determined and started the 2 nd period. Manager Kieron Fishers team talk had obviously done the trick with the first 10 to 15 minutes being all Whits. A great cross from Dolan flashed across the face of the goal when all it needed was a touch, good overlapping play from Blades and Patrick continued to provide an extra option on the flanks, in midfield Jewell and McNamara were working tirelessly to win and retain possession and Cobbett had a decent penalty shout turned down. Failure to make the pressure count however was punished as the only notable Glyn attack of the half so far resulted in the home side taking the lead. A good counter attack saw the Glyn striker finish well in the far corner. Whits rallied and continued to press for the equaliser but to no avail as Glyn held on for the 3 points.