Deja-vu? Warsash game, all over again!

East Lodge 4-3 Chandlers Ford Youth

Mid Solent B League – 2nd February 2008

For the second week running, Chandlers Ford made things hard for themselves by not taking their chances, conceding the first goal despite heavy early pressure, and leaving it too late (the second half), to put together a fight back.

CFY’s only league wins this season came in consecutive fixtures back in September against Stubbington and Lee Rangers. Since then, despite having the potential to do better things, Richard’s side are languishing in 7th place at present.

There were severe doubts that the overnight frost could put the game into jeopardy and sure enough the goal mouth was rock solid and deemed too dangerous to play initially. Thankfully after half an hours delay, the 40 minute journey was not entirely wasted as the game went ahead.

Daryl Winter, playing on the left of midfield had the best of Ford’s early opportunities as he combined neatly with Jozef Montigue on more than one occasion but failed to cause the giant of a goalkeeper any problems.

Ford had the better of the play and kept their attacking threat up for a good ten minutes straight, when there was only one team in it.

East Lodge against the run of play took a surprise lead, a corner kick bouncing wickedly off James Parsonage and on to the near post to set up a simple tap in from close range.

As is normally the case, all of the previous confidence and positive play seemed to be drained out of CFY with the goal leading them to drop their heads and allow the hosts to take full advantage as they kept up their momentum netting two more before the break.

HALF TIME: East Lodge 3-0 CFY

David Bromhead pulled a goal back early in the second half chasing down the goalkeeper to win possession in front of goal before finding the net with the finish to match with a cool chip into the roof of the net.

It looked like the game was heading the same way as the previous week when Ford scored a second goal to get right back in contention once more.

A hand ball led to a penalty kick being awarded, which Daryl stepped up to take making no mistake from 12 yards for his third goal of the season. 3-2.

The game became a little more open once more and East Lodge soon restored their two goal advantage.

Michael Sawbridge set up a tense finish as he beat the offside trap running through from the centre of the park to round the goalkeeper and finish well.

He might have levelled the game soon after as he once again burst forward, this time he was denied by the post.

Montigue was stopped by a splendid save when he turned the left back inside out from the edge of the penalty area to unleash a powerful right footed strike that was heading towards the top corner where the goalkeeper showed superb reactions and agility to keep it out, palming over the cross bar.

In the end, the improved second half performance from Ford was let down only by some costly first half mistakes.

Next up is an equally tough challenge as we take on Crofton Saints at home.

FULL TIME: East Lodge 4-3 CFY

Match pictures by Miles Hodge