SONNING 1 - 1 LEIGHTON BUZZARD
24th November 2007

A top of the table clash with the 2nd place team meant we had to get a result, after narrowly losing to Aylesbury the week before. So, having given 2 players to the 5s, the remaining 11 players + our dedicated supporter - Joyce - set off on our longest trip of the season.

After 2/3rds of the team arrived late due to an unplanned detour, we finally got started and promptly went 1 goal down from a short corner. Not what we had planned but, hey, no one said it would be easy.

Play was evenly matched for the first 1/4 but we gradually took hold and pegged Buzzard back inside their 25. Keeping our width on the wings enabled us to spread the ball around quickly and stretch their midfield and defence. A most impressive sight was seeing a semi-circle of blue shirted players hemming the Buzzard players in whenever they were hitting from their 16 - and winning the ball back nearly every time. Every player was giving his all - we just couldn't quite get the ball past their goalie.

The 2nd half started out how we'd finished the 1st and, although Buzzard had their moments, I felt it would only be a matter of when, rather than if, we'd score. Finally, it happened. A free hit won just on the edge of the D was firmly hit by Pete Drain and came to Mark Hansford, who swept it across the goalie and in - his first senior goal. That thud on the backboard was met with a huge cheer from all the players - it was no more than we deserved but a big relief too.

With no subs available and our legs getting heavier, Buzzard applied the pressure again, but we battled and ran and battled some more, and held on for an important point (we lost there heavily last year). A fair result on the balance of play over 70 minutes to be honest.

So, we stay top and look forward to our last match of 2007 against another side just 1 point behind us - Swans.

Man of the Match: Mark Hansford for winning the all important free hit and scoring that goal!

Special Thanks: I must say thanks to all the players Andrew Bowyer, Jeremy Matheson, Joe Saunders, John Flint, Pete Drain, Antony Matheson, Liam Booles, Mark Hansford, Carl Ayres & Jordan Manning - it was an exciting match and, despite several playing in new positions, there was a fantastic team spirit and a determination not to come away disappointed. Thanks chaps!