County entertained Globe Rangers. School pitch was heavy and grass a little too long but we were confident after beating Globe 5-2 earlier in December.
We welcomed Robbie Wallis in goal whilst Alex Molloy learns how to coach cricket! and Anderson Dias was back after going awol. A strong squad of 13 was available until Scott Neville cried off at 1pm. Causing an easy reshuffle but leaving us with just 1 sub!

Globe were a completely different side, with only a couple of familiar faces from our earlier meeting.

County started with our usual 4-5-1 formation and kicking off right to left.

A strong start was the ask but after 3 minutes Globe should have gone ahead after we were poor in clearing and marking and their forward, who put just wide.

First 10 and we quickly realised this was going to be a completely different challenge than we had earlier in the season. Globe were more organised and physically a stronger side. We needed to get a grip with their middle 3 but exploit their full backs and the space wide.

On 14 minutes a nice interchange between Neil Spackman and Cam Wallis, saw the latter deliver a ball across the box but no one had made the right run.

The back 4 were being given time as Globe dropped their press deep into their own half. This allowed both our centre half's space and time to play the right ball.

A minute later a Chris Westwood cross saw Matt Wrights shot saved.

Globe were continuing to play and test our formation. A Bradley Doherty misplaced pass gave them an opportunity to shoot but we blocked away for a corner. Their set piece deliver was excellent throughout the game and we had to be focused on every occasion.

21 minutes in and a Luke Kelly free kick found Steve Fahey down our left, continuing his run into the box he beat 2 defenders but shot straight at the keeper, who saved well.

On 27 minutes Neil Spackman was given space and time to travel 30 yards with the ball but a weak 25 yard shot, saw it easily saved.

This was a good game of football from 2 evenly matched sides. The boys had too and were stepping up!

45 minutes and last action of the half. A weak Steve Fahey shot went wide.

A cracking half of football chances being created at both ends, with great match ups across the whole pitch. We needed to keep our width and look to get behind their full backs. Exploiting an area of weakness.

HALF-TIME 0-0

Second half and we began to stretch Globe out wide. Looking to get behind their back line via their full backs.

Erhan Altunc and Matt Wright combining well with Steve Fahey in creating spaces with Bradley Doherty getting more forward as the half progressed.

We began to get on top of the midfield battle with Cam Wallis beginning to pull strings.

70 minuets - Sub - Anderson Dias on for Matt Wright

No real chances had been created for either side. Globe tested us with every set piece with a couple of harry moments and County continued to be thwarted by good defending.

79 minutes. As the game clock ticked down the game changing moment. From a wide County break a contentious corner shout was awarded to us. With the Globe keeper still complaining and not organising his defence, and Globe in defensive disarray, the quick thinking Cam Wallis delivered a corner finding Kieran Mbala unmarked at the back post and he cooly headed home. 1-0

Globe expressed their disgust with the corner decision which saw the keeper sin binned.

The next 5 minuets turned into a disappointing farce with the Globe skipper constantly moaning at the ref. Yes he was wearing a gum shield. He should have joined his goal keeper but the ref decided to allow him to rant and rave.

With 90 on the clock the ref signalled 5 minutes of extra time but amazingly allowed the keeper back on, having spent only 5 minutes of playing time in the bin. Strange one!

We actually had 3 good chances to make the game safe with Kieran Mbala seeing his shot saved. Steve Fahey hit a lovely tight angles shot that cannoned back off the bar but our best chance fell to Erhan Altunc who was clear through on goal but shot wide.

FULL-TIME - 1-0

A fantastic advert for an AFC game. You don't get many 1-0 wins.
Both sides were great today. They stepped up and matched us. We had too and did raised our game, having the better chances. Globe will feel aggrieved towards the decisoning but our quick thinking coupled with their disorganisation was the deciding factor. A lot of games still to go and wins are a must.

County (4-5-1): Robbie Wallis, Chris Westwood, Neil Spackman(c), Luke Kelly, Bradley Doherty, Cam Wallis, Steve Nichols, Kieran Mbala, Matt Wright, Erhan Altunc, Steve Fahey.
Subs - Anderson Dias

Referee: Chris Beaumont

Attendance - 4

MoM - Kieran Mbala - 2 weeks on the trot. Calm in front of goal, when we needed it.

Donkey - Chris Westwood - Doesn't have a wand of a left foot! Just keep kicking the ball out