AFC ALLSTARS

4:1

SOUTHBANK RESERVES

WALTERS 1, CAIRNS 1, MOORE 1, STOREY 1

AFC Allstars had an almost full strength side to play Southbank reserves on a warm summer day for the second of their three warm up games, with Southbank seeking revenge for their 2:1 defeat of last season.

With Craig Coleman in between the posts and in front the now solid Quartet of Ben Owen, Nick Walters, Dave Nunn and Brian Whiteside in front, Southbank would have a hard task breaking AFC down. In front was Greg Moore starting on the left, on the right Robert Smyth and in the centre the returning Chris Allum and new Captain Scott Alloway. David Gale replaced the half-fit Graeme Storey and joining him in the 4:4:2 formation was Josh Cairns.

AFC Started well and dominated possession without looking like scoring. David Gale and Josh Cairns were causing the centrebacks all sorts of trouble and it was Josh Cairns who had the first real effort in anger but his angled drive flew past the left post. Next it was Scott Allaway’s turn as he dribbled past two players to unleash a shot that missed by a yard.

Southbank were not without they’re possession but up front the tricky number 9 never really looked like scoring as David Nunn and Nick Walters kept him at bay. The wingbacks too were having an impressive game as Ben and Brian both got forward at every opportunity. With Chris and Scott pulling the strings in the centre and the wingers trickery the only surprise to the teams was how long it took AFC to score.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 35th minute when Greg Moore received the ball on the left, dribbled into the box and thumped his shot under the keeper. 1:0 to the Allstars and with Ben and Robert going close shortly after, it looked like the floodgates were about to open, however out of nowhere, Southbank were level! A long ball up field by the centreback fell to the feet of a Southbank forward whose first touch leapt in front of his strike partner and after hitting his shin fell perfectly for him to sweep the ball past Craig.

At halftime with the score at 1:1 AFC knew that they needed to take their chances and Manager Graeme Storey made some scheduled changes with Simon Jones, Graeme Storey, Matt, Jon Trounce and Nigel Walcott replacing Craig Coleman, Robert Smyth, Greg Moore, David Gale and Ben Owen, changing the formation to 4:5:1 meant as last year Graeme Storey would be the target man and Josh and Chris would be the wing forwards to support him. With the three man midfield of Scott, Matt and Jon, AFC were looking to get a more cutting attack.

5 minutes in and AFC weren’t settling with the tactics and with the team calling for 4:4:2 it was a tough decision to keep it at 4:5:1 but one that the Manager knew would pay off. His decision was rewarded when the wingers started coming into the game more and when Chris Allum hit a glorious ball into the box leaving an open goal for the number 10, it looked like a certain goal however the forward missed the ball. Were AFC going to regret their missed chances?

With Josh Cairns on the pitch however it is never long before you get a bit of class. When Nick Walters pumped a ball forward, a flick on from the impressive Scott Alloway left Josh clean through on goal and his lob with the outside of his boot left the keeper stranded and his team cheering. 2:1 to the Allstars and they were cruising.

5 minutes later it was 3 as a corner from the right found Nick Walters alone in the area and his first time volley flew into the goal. AFC then had a goal dubiously disallowed for an offside but it was irrelevant as 10 minutes later the final goal was scored when David Nunn played the ball to Graeme Storey, who’s neat turn sent the defender in the opposite direction and he coolly slotted his one on one past the keeper in the far corner.

4:1 to the Allstars and if they’d have won by 8 goals the opposition would have conceded a fair result. The only disappointment was that in the whole match Southbank had one shot worthwhile of the name, and that was converted. Other than that there were no negatives as this was a thoroughly good performance.

Bring on the Next Friendly versus Mapuldurum Cavaliers.

MOM Nick Walters.