Match Report MANOR FARM SAINTS - 7 Sep 2018

It was a trip to Blanche Pierre Lane in the middle of last season that transformed our campaign.

Not for anything that we did on the night, more what Saints did off the pitch - playing a suspended player which earned us, by default, our first points of the season.

The point collected on Friday night was certainly hard-earned against a more-than-useful outfit who were also rather short on numbers.

And particularly after a dreadful start when Saints took the lead from their first attack through an unchallenged close-range header from a corner after just 2 minutes.

It could have been more and quickly as we were well and truly rattled, but as the game settled so we slowly started to turn things around.

New centre back pairing of Connor Batiste alongside Jordan Flatres were very physical, while outside them substitute Nick Gaudion put in his best appearance in an Indies shirt to date while on the other flank Dan Gallienne was steadily going about collecting a well-earned Man of the Match “award”. (It’s all about the recognition Dan.)

Ben Queripel looked dangerous on our odd foray forward and so did Ben Saul, making a rare appearance and making one wonder why we do see him so infrequently.

HT 1-0 Manor Farm

Matters soon changed after just three minutes of the second half. Batiste claimed he was held in the box and though no other Indies noticed, referee Nigel Mills did, and Jordy “White Boots” Gallienne tucked the penalty away with no fuss.

While still battling we were starting to look more confident until the referee had cause to blow and point to the spot again - this time at the wrong end, Flatres the alleged transgressor.

Rob Priaulx, who enjoyed a fine game, saved the effort with his knee, but Mr Mills demanded a re-take, which was, to much relief, blazed miles over the bar.

We battled back again, could have nicked it, but in the end would settle for a hard-earned point which left both sides level at the top of the early league table.

FT 1-1