Much more positive 90 minutes in this tough away game. Weather awful pitch struggling with the recent weather. If only we could see out the last 10minutes of games, rather than the nerves kicking in and us looking desperate till the final whistle.
Even first half with decent chances for both sides. Westfield settled the quickest slide rule pass setting the striker through on goal only for him to drag well wide of the far post. Another cross headed against the upright the closest of the 2 chances. Once we settled started to find a long ball into channels, causing problems with Hippolyte using his pace to get beyond the slower opponent. Best chance fell to Pap Jawara, few passes released Kaylen down the left, his outside of the foot cross found Pap unmarked but whether he tried to take a touch or just poorly missed timed wasted a golden opportunity from 8yds out with any decent contact think we would have taken the lead. Direct ball from back to front this time Adrian Clifton winning his flick on to get Hippolyte away one against one admittedly under pressure from a defender, could only hit the advancing keeper. Few well worked moments but lacking quality in the final pass or cross. Escapes going behind on the stroke of half time, another clever through ball between Salmon and left back Ibrahim, striker once again pulling a shot wide of the far post. Ht 0–0
Early chance for Westfield with a tame effort into the arms of Juliusz. From that point we controlled a majority of the game threatening on both sides but key final ball the problem. Corner headed wide by James Richmond, Hippolyte volley into the side netting. Wranyel Hercules into the area cross across the box fell Adrian Clifton who’s was crowded out, laid back to the edge for Adam Martin who hit a low drive wide of the target. Westfield caught in possession deep in their half, pass into Sippetts who driving at his defender dropped a shoulder only for defender to dangle a leg and ref puts to the spot. Adrian Clifton slow and deliberately sends the keeper the wrong way from the spot. Hercules again causing trouble on the right, into the area from a Keano pass but shot blocked by the keeper. Long clearance from Juliusz Pazio carried on the wind behind the defence, Sippetts pace got him to the ball first slipped a shot under the keeper, dribbling agonisingly toward goal, defender recovers to clear of the line. Another Clifton shot saved smartly low down to the keepers left after a poor clearance. Then the clock ticking down long ball found James Richmond and Juliusz in each others way, the latter cleared to Hal way, two passes later found the striker into the area, from the other looked like Keano giving him a shove in the back enough for the ref to point to the spot. Juliusz no chance thumped home for a point. Ft 1-1
Handbags after the game results in 2 red cards one for each side but a massive blow for us with Kaylen Hinds being the recipient.
Mom Adrian Clifton physical presence and ability to bring team mates into the game. His desire and attitude even when things are not going well, has been ever present in the last month.
Decent performance on testing pitch and conditions. Created chances second half just couldn’t find the killer second goal. Adrian with either Sippetts or Hippolyte makes us more of a threat. If Wranyel Hercules could just find better quality in the final third we could be amongst the goals a hell of a lot more.
Onto Met Police Saturday another performance like this will start turning draws into wins.
COYH