SSAFC Start 2017 With Hard Fought Win

<p>The SSAFC sealed a hard fought 5-2 win Saturday morning on what was a very muddy Ridlins pitch.<p>The game started slowly with both sides being unable to create any real chances with the pitch playing a major factor and disrupting a good passing game. The first real chance came from Cambridge when the winger cut inside and hit a powerful shot which was saved by Bell in goal. The first real effort for the SSAFC came from the returning Steven Teale back after a few weeks off but his effort was saved. <p>Cambridge then took the lead when a quick throw wasn't dealt properly and their striker turned and hit a low effort which Bell was unable to keep out to give Cambridge the lead. That sparked the SSAFC into life and a response was needed and it came within 5 minutes when with good pressure a low John Carroll effort/cross found an unmarked Teale who smashed home from close range to make it 1-1. The SSAFC then had another chance which hit the bar and bounced over!<p>The second half started brightly for the SSAFC and Teale got his second of the game when a dipping Lewis Collins cross evaded everyone and Teale with a real poachers effort tapped in from 4 yards out. The SSAFC started to get more confident but Cambridge looked dangerous on the counter and had some efforts which just went wide. Teale then had a one on one saved by the keeper's feet and Jeorge Wedge wasted a good chance. Cambridge then got on level terms when another mix up at the back allowed an effort which was parried into the path of the Cambridge striker which slotted home. Cambridge then hit the bar when a cross come shot was parried onto the crossbar and Daniel Ridley done brilliantly to shield the ball away from the oncoming player to keep it 2-2.<p>The SSAFC started creating more chances and Jamie Woolf had a powerful strike well saved by the Cambridge keeper but with not long on the clock, a Sam Dunn free kick was whipped in and found an unmarked Daniel Ridley who headed over the keeper to make it 3-2. The SSAFC then got on the front foot for the rest of the game and the 4th came with a Matt Jackson 25 yarder which hit the post and went in. A lovely strike.<p>Teale then got his hat-trick when his touch set it up nicely for a crisp volley which got past the keeper and made it 5-2 just before the final whistle went. The SSAFC done enough to get the win in difficult conditions.