ARYPT 1 vs 5 Affinity FC

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">5 Star Affinity

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">With Meredith losing in midweek the return fixture with ARYPT took on even more significance.&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">The game started in a similar fashion as the previous week with both sides feeling each other out.&nbsp; As with the first game, ARYPT took an early lead this time straight from a corner on their left looping into the top left hand corner.&nbsp; Affinity&rsquo;s response was immediate with a goal by ARYPT goal specialist Steve Moore whose powerful header from a quickly taken corner between Mike C and James W kick started what would be possibly the best all round Affinity performance ever.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">The defence were strong in all areas with Steve M and Ian first to virtually every ball; Mike A making and using space on the right hand side and Oli having his best game looking as though he had played left back his whole life; and James J&rsquo;s timing and bravery leaving ARYPT strikers with scraps to work from.&nbsp; The midfield quartet ran the show with Jamie and Gary winning 40-60 tackles and headers turning defence to attack and James W and Luke dominant down the flanks.&nbsp; Last but no means least Mike C and Lee hounding the ARYPT defence giving them no time to dwell on the ball, forcing them into making mistakes and playing off balls fed from both midfield and defence.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Two further Affinity goals before half time meant that the score line at the break was the same as the previous year&rsquo;s game but the atmosphere in the Affinity camp was far more confident this time around.&nbsp; Affinity&rsquo;s second a cross from the left from Luke found Mike C and a pin point header in the top corner gave Affinity a deserved lead.&nbsp; Mike C&rsquo;s second was a beautiful finish, his first touch taking their left back out of the game and a precise finish into the bottom corner leaving ARYPT deflated.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Affinity were forced into making a change 5 minutes into the second half as Ian saw red for his first mistimed challenge and a &lsquo;Gordon Brown&rsquo; style comment as he walked away from the ref.&nbsp; Lee made way for Steve W as Affinity moved to a 4-4-1 with Mike C the lone striker up front.&nbsp; What followed was a backs to the wall display that would have left a bystander wondering which team had fewer players.&nbsp; Not only did Affinity prevent ARYPT having any serious attempts on goal two further goals from Mike C highlighted the level of fitness, strength of character and team spirit that exists within the Affinty squad.&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">A ball over the top from Oli which Mike ran on to and after shrugging off the defender placed past the goalie for his hat trick goal. &nbsp;The fourth goal started from a pin point cross field ball from Luke to James W who took the ball to the by line, delaying a cross till Mike arrived to slot in coolly with ARYPT defenders just looking on.&nbsp; ARYPT were now a beaten side and the game stretched with Affinity matching them for possession but beating them in all other aspects of the game.&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">How do you choose a man of the match from a team performance like this?&nbsp; It would be easy to make a case for any player to take the award.&nbsp; However, goals win games and Mike C&rsquo;s first ever four goal haul and second half performance as a lone striker shades it for him.&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Two games to go and not time to take our feet off the gas.&nbsp; Binley next up so let&rsquo;s go at it again on Thursday