Old Challoners v Economicals

Team: Sunil, Redders, Gardner, Rogers, Walsh, Croucher, Powell, Lowes, Fuzz, Allen, Fallon, Subs: Cawley (30)

Score: 1:2 Fuzz

Location - Theatre of Trees

Tough match again for OC's and despite a lot of talk building up to the game Challoners once again underestimated the quality of the opposition (maybe not realising that they were also chasing promotion from the division). Economicals were a big, strong side who could play passing football at a quick pace. They played with a style and confidence not dissimilar to Challoners pre-Christmas break. Although OC's always have the quality to create chances Economicals were the better side in the first half in particular for the first 20 mins. The pressure told and they converted this into a 1-0 lead. This caused a step up from the home side who started to compete more aggressively and effectively. OC's created a number of chances, the most obvious falling to Fuzz after some good running by Croucher down the right and interlinking play with Allen. Unfortunately the ball came across at some speed and from close in Fuzz could only direct over the bar. As confidence started to rise Challoners suffered a loss they could ill afford. After a clash of heads Powellie was taken to hospital with a broken nose and suspected fractured cheek bone. In such a tight and tough much his presence would be missed. No one expected it to be quite so quickly apparent when 5 mins later a hopeful through ball managed to squeeze through the defence for one of the Economicals strikers to calmly slot home. 0-2. Half-time.

In the second half under worsening conditions Challoners continued to show some fight although lacked any real quality to break down the Economicals defence. OC's probably shaded the second half and Fuzz was able to capitalise on a well timed through ball to slot home with accomplish to reduce arrears to 2-1. There was still 25 mins to play and Challoners sensed they're could be something in it for them. The Economicals keeper made a couple of good saves, but Challoners were always aware that as they chased an equaliser the lively & quick Economicals front two could (and should) have put the game beyond the OC's reach. Let it be noted that the ref was awful, although OC's cannot use this as an excuse as decisions were probably evened out over the game. (Except the penalty I should have had for the blatant elbow in the back while he was standing 7 yards away)!!

Another disappointing result (and the loss of OC's enviable home record at Hervines), it will be a difficult reverse tie at Economicals this coming Saturday. Challoners should take heart though as they played with spirit and if they can start adding a bit of the missing quality to their game and cut out the unforced errors they will be able to get the required win to stay in the championship race - and more importantly getting promoted.