AFC ALLSTARS

3:2

MAPLEDURUM CAVERLIERS

GALE 1, CAIRNS 1, HILLS 1

With AFC Allstars missing a host of players (Craig Coleman, Simon Jones, Nick Walters, Brian Whiteside, Matt Preedy, Jon Trounce and James Storey) Manager Graeme Storey knew the trip to Mapuldurum Cavaliers was going to be a tough match.

As both Goal Keepers were away for various reasons, James Storey kindly volunteered to go in goal and with Ben Owen at right back, Chris Allum moving to an unfamiliar left back position; loan signing Martin Lefty joined Dave Nunn in the centre of the defence. In front was the three man midfield of Scott Allaway, Josh Cairns and Rob Smyth, with Scott as the holding player. On the wings were Gregg Moore and David Gale both looking to impress. Graeme Storey again had the loan striker’s role.

With the team talk basically to play like we had against Southbank the week before, it was emphasised that with so many away people were playing for their starting places and none heeded this more than Greg Moore and David Gale.

With 2 minutes on the clock AFC Graeme Storey played a short corner to Greg who swung in a peach of a cross and David Gale glanced a header in the back of the net. 1:0 to the Allstars.

Within minutes after Josh Cairns had a series of good chances with the keeper pulling of great saves to deny him on at least two occasions, AFC were 2 up as Josh Cairns finally got the goal his play deserved. Picking up the ball in the middle of the park, Josh played a quick one two with Rob Smyth and after holding off two defenders he lifted the ball over the oncoming keeper into the top corner with the outside of his foot. 4 goals in 3 games and he looks like he will push for top scorer.

AFC were by far the better side and had chances to go 3:0 up but David Gale and Greg Moore both missed and with Graeme Storey going just wide with a dipping volley, Mapuldurum were chasing shadows. The solid back line of Allstars were holding firm, however Mapuldurum were soon back in it as a long diagonal ball cut out the defence and James Storey showed his inexperience as he “Calamity James” style rushed out and was beaten by Nick Kellaway to make it 2:1 to the Allstars.

Mapuldurum then proceeded to come out of their shells and it was only good save from James Storey and heroic defending by the defence to keep it at 2:1. Half time couldn’t come quickly enough as AFC Allstars were not playing their game and were panicking in places something that was mentioned in the half time team talk.

The second half was a quiet affair as both teams struggled to get the ball down and in truth it was a scrappy affair. Mapuldurum had a few chances to draw level and finally got their goal as a corner was not cleared and the striker after three attempts managed to put the ball in the back of the net!

2:2 and Changes were made. On came Paul Mason and Duncan Hills and it was his first goal for AFC that would win them the game as a neat corner was swung in by Josh Cairns and Duncan met it with a powerful header.

As AFC hung on to a tight victory, they can be pleased that despite not playing well they had still won the game, something teams who want to be involved in the title race need to do.

Next game will be versus Henley YMCA as AFC start their assault on the Division 3 championship.

MOM: Josh Cairns, 1 goal & 1 assist for a player who originally didn’t think he could play. Great performance.