Back to League action at Clarence Park for the visit of high-flying Purfleet. They are 5th in the League, having won 6 and drawn 4 of their 12 outings. 22 points compared to our 28. Not quite a top of the table clash but a big game, nevertheless.
Enforced changes on The Dynamic Duo with Castle suspended and Crawshaw injured. The side was Wilmot in goal, 4 at the back: Moran, Brown (C), Townley and Naylor; 4 in the midfield: Oakes, Challinor, Smith and Hollenbach; and up front: Martin and De Souza. On the bench: Campbell, Keen, Sippetts, Gould and Roberts(D).
Purfleet started at a fast pace for the first 20 minutes and pressured the home side who, naturally fell deep. It seemed that City could hardly escape their own half with attempted passing movements broken up on the half-way line and long balls from defence failing to reach their target. The first goal came on 16 minutes when the ball seemed to richochet between Brown and Wilmot, bouncing off the latter's chest into the path of Georgiou, the visiting striker who passed into the net. 0-1.
City worked their way back into the game during the remainder of the half and the midfield began to show their class, but intermittently. Clear chances could not be created, however. Outplayed overall, but still in the game. H.T. 0-1.
Once agin, Purfleet started the half brightly but, slowly, The Saints passing movement began to look cohesive and we were in the game. Chances beginning to fall City's way although the visiting keeper was not stretched. Keen replaced Hollenbach. Headers and a couple of free kicks were wide or over and a penalty appeal was rejected. 'Fleets blatant time-wasting was frustrating. Against the run of play, 10 minutes from time, Purfleet scored a second when a speculative shot from Simpson went through Wilmot's usually safe hands into the net. 0-2.
City reacted immediately, and a minute or so later, good play on the left and a cleverly flighted cross from Keen was headed home by Challinor. 1-2. 8 minutes left and, surely several minutes for time-wasting, and City were on top, playing very good football. Another Challinor header hit the outside of the post. Brown was replaced by Campbell. The equaliser came when a low cross from Challinor on the right was deflected and side footed by Townley beyond Reilly. 2-2. The Referee seemed to add no additional time. F.T. 2-2.
An excellent come-back by City. Outplayed for the first 20 minutes and looking ragged, they showed real character to come back into the game. The midfield were looking the part increasingly as the game progressed through the second half. A point was no less than they deserved. Purfleet are a good side, solid at the back, quick in the midfield. Looking back they will be pleased with a point from The Park.
The Sponsors MotM was Oakes, although for me, Challinor. The crowd was about 400, I guess, with, put charitably, a handful up from Essex.
Entertainment 8/10. Technical Merit 7/10. Atmosphere 6/10. Referee 3/10.
Match report by Homer |
