Gunners won their first game of the season after a close game with Chalfont Park.
Gunners started the game well and took a lead through Mike Olivier who drilled the ball home from a wide angle after a pass from Marcus Randles.
Gunners then made it 2-0 when Matt Rees latched onto another Marcus Randles pass and took it pass the last defender with a neat flick before lifting the ball over the keeper.
Chalfont pulled a goal back before half time when they played the ball forward to an attacker who appeared to be in an offside position, Gunners recovered and cleared again only for Chalfont to head the ball forward to another player who was clearly off-side and Gunners stopped assuming the free kick would have been given. However, the referee waved play on and Chalfont scored from close range.
The half time score was 2-1 to Gunners who had played a good first half and deservedly held the lead.
In the second half, Gunners failed to get started and played on the back foot for most of the half inviting Chalfont to come forward. Chalfont obliged and equalised when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box. Their shot hit the post and Gunners failed to react to the loose ball and the forward slotted home from close range.
Gunners then made it 3-2 when Marcus Randles put a guest player through on goal who slipped the ball past the keeper. However, Chalfont came back again when they had another free kick which was crossed to the far post and Gunners did not track their man allowing them to score from inside the box.
Both sides had a couple of chances to win the game. Gunners were guilty of giving away too many free kicks and were under pressure from these shots or crosses. At the other end of the field, Paul Ali headed over the bar and Matt Rees had a chance to score when he beat a man but pulled his shot wide. Gunners also had a couple of chances blocked from Mike Olivier.
Gunners also had a few threatening positions but failed to release the ball to a man in space and wasted a couple of good opportunities. However with about 15 minutes to go, Gunners took the lead when they were awarded an indirect free kick inside the box for the keeper picking the ball up twice. Paul Ali touched the ball to a guest player who drilled a shot low into the corner.
For the final few minutes Gunners held out although Paul Marten was required to make a last ditch clearance off the six yard line to prevent a goal scoring opportunity. Gunners held out for the final few minutes to earn a 4-3 win. "Man of the Match" was a team award for a spirited performance particularly in the first half.
Match Facts
MOM : Team Award
Goals : A Guest (2), M Olivier (1), M Rees (1)
Team
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