Affinity 3 vs 3 Athletico Mosaic

<p>Our first league outing against Mosaic would end in a 3-3 draw but that doesn't tell the whole story on a bright December morning with a very low sun that would play its part in the result.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Mosaic came out of the blocks fastest and plied the early pressure that would lead to a 3-0 lead in the first 25 minutes.&nbsp; Their first goal a screamer from 30 yards that Dale could only palm into the top corner. A second resulting from some indecisive defending and a third a penalty after Dale had brought down a Mosaic striker following some more questionable defending (and was lucky not to be yellow carded or worse).&nbsp; Dale had also produced a fine save to prevent the game being over before half time.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">A spirited response would lead to two Josh P goals before half time putting Affinity right back into a game they had not got started in. The first a header from a throw in and the second a fine first time finish from a slick passing move involving Jordan, Jamie & Ian.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">The half time team talk was easy, 'let's start from here, use the space down the flanks and keep a tight disciplined line at the back' (inspiration from Mike Bassett).&nbsp; A cross wind strengthened in the second half and would turn Josh S and Jamie throw ins into potent weapons.&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Affinity applied most of the second half pressure with the back line keeping Mosaic strikers to feeding off scraps. Jamie and Gary marshalled the centre midfield with James and Josh S becoming increasingly significant figures.&nbsp; Affinity's third goal came from a Josh S throw that reached the Mosaic box and a flick to the edge of the penalty box that James met on the volley leaving the goalie no chance.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">It was only Affinity that looked like finding a winner but two good saves denied James and Ian.&nbsp; Overall a draw was probably the right result but I can't help feeling this was another two points lost rather than one gained.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Man of the match goes to Josh P whose two goals were vital to getting Affinity back into the mix before half time.&nbsp; Special mention also to Jamie whose midfield battle with Mosaic's playmaker was a key factor in keeping Mosaic's supply to their forwards to a minimum in the second half

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