Tough fixture away at A&C

This match report is sponsored by Pete Young, DoD for this game.

On a tepid Autumns day the M2s took a trip to Amersham and Chalfont with morale high after the drubbing they gave Milton Keynes the week before. Even a Tobi tactical chunder upon arrival couldn’t dampen their spirits (he maintains that it was Pat's driving not his hangover which caused this).

The game got under way and knowing it was going to be a tough one any chances had to be taken. The M2s started well breaking early through Harvey down the right who played a lovely ball into the D to yours truly, Peter, putting me 1v1 against the keeper. Somehow, albeit with the use of a foot, the keeper was rounded with the open goal at our mercy. After a preseason in the twos and watching Harvey versus the L1 I knew exactly what to do in this position.. put the ball wide and miss completely.

From there Amersham had a large portion of possession moving the ball and breaking into the D getting a shot off which Ali saved, unfortunately the ball fell to another of their players whose follow up shot struck Beasley on the foot resulting in a P flick. The crowd went quiet as their striker put the ball on the spot and stepped up to take the flick, based on his body shape there was only ever one way the ball was going and Ali made the save to a raucous cheer from Sonning. From there it was more of the same with Sonnings best chances coming from quick breaks. The deadlock was broken when a reverse shot from Amersham found the net although based off the curvature of the ball questions of back stick were asked. The umpires spoke and decided it was fine. Amersham continued their pressure on sonnings goal with Ali making some great saves from a number of shorts. Unfortunately after Tobi, appearing to lose control of his limbs, received a yellow for clattering into one theirs players they scored their 2nd.

So 2-0 at half time, still in the game and feeling optimistic that if the next goal was ours Sonning could get something out of it.

However, Amersham had other plans scoring a 3rd after some unfortunate deflections in the D. From there it was an uphill battle with a lot of 50/50 decisions going against sonning which even prompted JT to have a speaking to about chat leading to frustration and getting a green. This was the first of two green cards in the half with Alex Green subbing on to very quickly be sent back to the bench for 2 minutes, obviously feeling he needed more rest. Ali continued to be tested in goal until eventually a ball across the D found a free player back post who pushed it into an empty net.

At some point after this Amersham scored a 5th with Sonning struggling to clear the ball and it being shovelled over the goal line. Although at this point the game was done Sonning heads didn’t drop and at the last minute we rallied with Colm forcing the keeper into a good save. The deflection of which landed at Tim Greenbank's feet of all people on the edge of the D where he put it on to a foot to win a short. Final whistle went with the chance of a consolation goal but unfortunately Amersham were able to clear the ball brining an end to intense game.

Final score Amersham 5-0 Sonning

DoD- Peter Young, even in a game with 3 cards and Matt Lappin playing an open goal miss at 0-0 is unforgivable

MoM- Ali Allan, score line doesn’t tell story of how many saves were made.