A Chance Not Taken | THE TURF 2-2 LANGLEY PARK FC

We face off against old rivals Langley Park in a friendly after being given a free week without a match. The game kicked off and the Turf were fast on the attack. Putting up the pressure straight from the off, creating golden opportunities to get ourselves on the front foot with some great passing football.

I'd didn't take long before the game got interesting as Matty Wheatley led the charge up front, dribbling the ball past their defence across the right hand side, driving into the box with a great attempt on goal which was unfortunate enough to not be finished off.

However, a goal was not far away, as a cross was swung in from the right was basically punched away from danger via a Langley defender as the ref blew for a spot kick; Captain Matty stepped up to take the kick and fired the ball past the goalkeeper to give the Turf the lead.

The game continued, but it seemed that going 1-0 down really kicked Langley into gear as they quickly turned up the heat, playing better football and creating a few chances of their own. A free kick on the edge of the box would level the game after an appalling performance from Turf goalkeeper, Andy Gowland, throughout. Langley took the kick, deflecting off the wall as the ball crept towards the keeper for an easy catch, only to let the ball slip through his gloves to make the game one all.

It wasn't long before Langley struck again, passing the ball around the park as the Turf failed to defend. The attacker curled the ball from the edge of the box, sending it sailing past the fully stretched keeper for a wonder strike that put Langley up 2-1, leaving the Turf rattled.

Halftime came and went as the Turf were left to rethink there strategy, making a number of tactical substitutions to get ourselves back into the game. All fired up, the Turf became unrelenting on the ball, firing shot after shot towards the enemy goal with venom. But with each attempt came more frustration, hitting the ball mere fractions wide, or directly at the keeper.

The Turf would eventually see gold at the hands of a Tommy High strike, assisted by our captain to level the game out at 2-2. But as time pressed on, the Turf could not seem to find a way through to win the game. With a bag of possession and fire in our eyes, Langley held their defence and somehow managed to keep the game at a 2-2 score as the ref blew the final whistle.