Match Review
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AGFC 4 vs. 4 Loco Splott
Date: 16-Oct-2007
Venue: Sophia Gardens
Goals:
Alex Panagopoulos
2
Fraser McAvoy
1
Richard Williams
1
Man of the Match:
Scott Hand
/
Steve Knowles
Report:
A dismal night of weather at Sophia Gardens was tempered by a sparkling contest between the two old foes. The rain had been heavy throughout the day and the evening did not fare any better as the players arrived with Agfc playing their first match in two and a half weeks & eager to get underway. The first half was evenly contested and fell into the pattern of Loco pressing forward and Agfc counter attacking which became typical for the rest of the match. Mid way through the first half Agfc combined well in attack only for Simon to see his shot unluckily hit the post and bounce across the face of the goal, but Rich was on hand at the far post to put the ball into the net with an easy scoring opportunity. Loco were to draw level with 10 minutes to go before half time with a well taken goal but Panny made sure that Agfc went into the break in the ascendancy with a rasping 20 yard free kick which gave the Loco keeper no chance.
The first half proved the entrée to the sumptuous second half feast of football that was to follow. Agfc made the most of a stroke of luck early in the second period when Fraser, yards offside, made the most of a deflection from Loco defender to round the outrushing Loco keeper and coolly slot the ball home from 30 yards to make the score 3-1. Agfc players continued to pressurise and snap at the heels of Loco players like a pack of snarling hyenas, but it wasn’t a meal Agfc were chasing but victory! Loco showed their class, however, and got back into the match with 2 quality goals. Agfc could have buckled at this point but survived an onslaught by Loco who hit crossbar and post successively in a wave of attacks. With 5 minutes to go a dangerous Scott corner was bustled into the net from Panny’s knee to give Agfc the lead. Unfortunately for Agfc, they couldn’t quite hang on for an impressive win as with 1 minute to go Loco finished off a move well and a draw was the final result. All players performed well, although Steve in defence, Scott in attack and Dean in his first full outing for the club, deserved special mention.
Agfc rode their luck at times particularly in the second half, but there could be no dispute that their all round commitment, and for much of the 90 minutes the quality of their play, meant they deserved the point and some would argue were unlucky not to secure all three.
Reporter: Rich Williams