Gunners lost 4-2 to lowly Woodley Saints. Saints were much the better side in the first 15 minutes and created a number of chances to score with dangerous crosses into the box. Gunners failed to match them for this period and were put under some extreme pressure.
Saints pressure eventually told when they scored from a corner with a free header after a lack of concentration from Gunners.
Gunners found it difficult to play and decent football with the ball not being kept under control and passes going astray.
Towards the latter period of the half Gunners settled into the game and started to create a couple of chances Mike Olivier coming close with a couple of ranged shots. However, Saints had the beating of Gunners down the left and right and played numerous crosses into the box. Lee Gallagher did well to palm these away.
At half time the score was 1-0 and despite a poor first half Gunners were still in the game. In the second Gunners went 2-0 down when a Saints shot was deflected in via Jaap who tried to block the ball. Saints then made it fairly comfortbale with a third goal after Gunners failed to clear a cross. Saints nearly made it four but Lee Gallagher pulled off a great reflex save to deflect the ball that was heading for the corner over the bar.
Despite, conceding the goals Gunners had more of the game than the first half. Gunners re-arranged formation pushing Peter Ali upfront and he soon earned Gunners a penalty when he was brought down in the box. Marcus Randles cooly converted the penalty for his first goal of the season.
The Gunners central midfield pairing of Mike Olivier and Paul Ali were working hard and Gunners started to have a few more breaks.
Gunners started to make Saints feel uncomfortable when they added a second goal. Peter Ali made a great run down the right and played the ball through to Matt Coggins who crossed for Mike Olivier to score. The score was 3-2 and Gunners had the chance of a draw with about 10 minutes on the clock.
Gunners committed another man forward but were caught on the counterattack when the Saints forward turned the full back and scored at the near post with a shot from the edge of the box to win the game.
Gunners had a couple of chances from crosses into the box but could not force another goal leaving Saints 4-2 winners. Gunners "Man of the Match" was Lee Gallagher for a good game in goal. Marcus and Richard Alderton also worked hard during the game and were worthy mentions.
Match Facts
MOM : L Gallagher
Goals : M Randles (1), M Olivier (1)
Team
