Histon 2 - 1 St. Leonards FC
Too little too late for St. Leonards
Dr. Martens League Eastern Division
Scorer: Mark Fox
Team: Graham Bannatyne, David Henham, Chris Neroni, Adam Neroni, Adam Flanagan (Capt.), Jon Monteath, Peter Baker, Mark Fox, Danny Fletcher, Mick O'Callaghan, Shaun Loft Subs: Simon Fox, Carleton Chatelier, Adam Day
Shaun Loft, Carleton Chatelier & Mark Fox all had great chances to grab an away point in the last ten minutes of this match in which 'The Saints' did not play anywhere near their best The game started well enough for the blues, forcing the home side into mistakes by applying pressure high up the field
After the first ten minutes Histon began to create chances as St. Leonards defended deeper and deeper enabling the Cambridgeshire side to capitalize space in behind the full backs Ironically, it was when St. Leonards tried to push up-field to play the offside trap that Histon got their best chance With arms raised the St. Leonards back four had a big shout for offside turned down by the linesman and with only the St. Leonards keeper to beat the advancing Histon forward had his shot stopped by the feet of Graham Bannatyne
Due to the poor finishing of the home side St. Leonards survived the opening period without conceding any goals Then on 35 minutes a flowing passing movement by St. Leonards down the right wing produced the opening goal of the match Peter Baker's driven cross was superbly controlled by Mick O'Callaghan who laid the ball off for Mark Fox to calmly side foot the ball into the left bottom corner from twelve yards out, totally wrong footing the home goal keeper It was after this goal that 'The Saints' had their best period of the first half and very nearly went 2-0 up when Shaun Loft's header looped onto the cross bar from a wicked Danny Fletcher cross
Histon emerged for the second half with a new determination whilst St. Leonards seemed content to sit back and try to keep hold of their single goal lead. It was only a matter of time before the home side would get their chance, but when Adrian Cambridge received the ball wide on the right wing there appeared to be little danger for 'The Saints' Then as 'Adi' crossed the ball it flew over everybody's heads only to ricochet off the far post into St. Leonards net With the scores now level the tide had turned completely to Histon's favour who were putting Flanagan and co under enormous pressure With the introduction of substitute Zac Nedimovic the home side were determined to make all their pressure pay, and it was the substitute who put Histon in front when he latched onto a bouncing ball in the penalty area and hit a low powerful shot that, again, rebounded off the post into the goal
Now trailing 'The Saints' started to go on the attack and very nearly got on level terms when a deep cross was completely missed by the home keeper and the ball hit a surprised defender's knee to redirect the ball goal bound only for Shaun Loft to help the ball over the line with his hand which was spotted by the ref'
The game was nearly put out of St. Leonards reach when Richard Chattoe unleashed a rasping drive after his twisting run, only to see his shot hit the upright and rebound to safety
Simon Fox, Adam Day and Carleton Chatelier were all brought on in a bid to to get the equalizer It was Simon Fox who provided the inch perfect cross for Shaun Loft to head straight at the keeper from eight yards Only minutes later another clear chance fell to Carleton Chatelier who missed kicked on the volley from little more than six yards out after a Mark Fox flick-on Although some good chances were missed there was still time for one more chance after some great wing play by Danny Fletcher the ball fell invitingly for Mark Fox who tried to place his shot, but this time the keeper made a good save
This Report is courtesy of Milo from the Official Website
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