Saturdays FA Vase clash with high flying Combined Counties Division one side

In a game of two halves, our visitors dominated the opening forty five minutes in which they were sharper, more committed, certainly created the better chances yet let us off the hook by only securing a one goal advantage at the break. All of this, after a golden opportunity for us to take the lead inside the first two minutes. Malik Buari`s initial shot saved by the keepers feet lead to the better chance falling to Gavin Quintyne, who hit his first time shot within reach of the keeper, who as a result completed a fine double save. Who knows what would have happened if that chance had been converted.

The opening goal came on twelve minutes when a long throw was helped goalwards for the unchallenged South Park forward to tap home. To be fair no more than the visitors deserved. With an obvious lift for our visitors having taken the lead we were now in a real contest and only a mixture of good fortune and last ditch defending kept the score at one nil. The most notable escape coming when a goalbound shot rebounded off the post with Dan Fisher stranded.

With some harsh half time words ringing fresh in the player’s ears, the positive response that was hoped for duly arrived. Having so said it was kick started following another escape when Fishers right hand post was struck immediately after the restart.

However three minutes in and we were level, Zak Graham skilfully guiding his shot into the top corner from a half cleared corner to get us back in the game.

At last we played with more freedom and gradually we gained the upper hand although genuine chances to win the game were kept to a minimum. In fact most of the goalmouth action resulted from set plays, half hit shots, and on occasions some resilient defending and goalkeeping from South Park when we should have done better.

With extra time needed and with the second half having been ours it seemed as if we would with one final push grab the win.

Two minutes in and a catastrophic mix up between Chris Davidson and Aaron Leacock allowed the South Park front runner a chance which was denied illegally by Fisher, resulting in a correctly awarded penalty that saw our visitors re take the lead.

As much as we tried to re galvanise ourselves we seemed drained of energy and although a series of substitutions made at the latter end of normal time and during extra time it was not to be. In fact our fate was finally sealed with eight minutes to go when another loss of concentration at the back saw the third goal conceded and our hopes of a run in the FA Vase brought to an early end.

The one stand out moment in an otherwise disappointing day seeing new signing Robbie Burns make his debut as a second half substitute.