Gunners won the top of the table clash against Southbank Res with a 3-1 win. There was a bonus for Gunners in the first five minutes when Southbank only started with 9 men but their late arrivals soon turned up.
Gunners had more possession in the first half but the quality of passing let them down badly and this was not aided by the hard surface. Ian Thornhill had a great opportunity to score when he was one on one with the keeper but his low shot crept round the wrong side of the post.
At the other end of the field, Gunners had a couple of nervous moments when the defence were slow to clear the ball.
Kevin Rapley scored his 50th goal of the season to give Gunners the lead. He then added another goal when Dave Owens long punt upfield was headed over the keeper. The half time score was 2-0 to Gunners.
In the second half Gunners had an early chance to increase the lead when Dave Owens shot was just wide. The game then settled down into a pattern of Gunners having more play but failing to create a good scoring chance.
Southbank Res main weapon was a long ball to their forwards which was easily cut out although they did look more dangerous when they tried to run the ball through midfield.
Southbank Res pulled a goal back when Paul Ali fouled an opponent in the box and they converted the penalty. Fraser McNaughton made his own bid for glory when he made a surging run for the box but he couldn't get his shot off.
Things then got a bit sticky for Gunners coping with the continuous long balls which were played upfield against them. However, during the last ten minutes Gunners played some better football and Dave Owen gave the team some breathing space when he scored Gunners third.
Southbank Res tried to force their way back into the game and had a couple of late chances but Gunners held out for the win. "Man of the Match" went to Darren Fry.
Match Facts
MOM : D Fry
Goals : K Rapley (2), D Owen (1)
Team : (GK) J Willis, (RB) F McNaughton, (CB) Pa Ali, (CB) S Kearns, (LB) T Poacher, (RM) J Weller, (CM) P Clark, (CM) D Owen, (LM) D Fry, (F) K Rapley, (F) I Thornhill, (Subs) N Burrows, P Byrne
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