Earley Gunners were victors in this closely contested game. Gunners were poor in the first half and were outfought by a limited looking AFC Earley side and most of the first 20 minutes was played in the Gunners half. However, the team did take the lead after Gareth Akers got round a defender and finished from an acute angle.
Unfortunately AFC Earley had the better of the rest of the half and scored two goals to give them a narrow 2 -1 lead at half time.
The first goal came from a corner and the opposing player had a free header to score, the second came when the opposition broke the the centre of the midfield and then scored from inside the box. Leon Spyrou also had to come off after 20 minutes through injury.
In the second half, tactical changes were made and Gunners played a 4-5-1 formation. The extra man in midfield started to stop the opposition breaking through the midfield and Gunners soon began to exert themselves and competed more effectively this half. The team were rewarded when Paul Clark scored after some neat work from Gareth Akers and Matt Rees. Then later on in the game, the team were awarded a free-kick outside the oppositions penalty box.
Tony Poachers ferocious drive had beaten the keeper but was saved on the line by an opposing defender who was sent off and a penalty was awarded to Gunners. Despite Sean Kearns really wanting to take the penalty (not) ... Paul Ali stepped up and cooly slotted the ball home to give Gunners a narrow lead. There were a couple of half chances at either end and Fraser McNaughton was called into action to make a good save in the second half.
Gunners finally held out to really earn the win. Man of the Match went to Leigh Holdway for a good competitive display.
Match Facts
MOM : L Holdway
Goals : P Clark (1), G Akers (1), Pa Ali (1)
Team
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