Scorer: Kelly (pen)
A top of the table clash on Old Members Day brought together league leaders HSBC and 2nd placed AP.
In a dour game of few chances, both teams slugged it out for 90 minutes but it was AP’s finest who came away with all 3 points, courtesy of a late Matt Kelly penalty, who’s tally for the season now stands at an impressive 5 goals.
To say this was a poor viewing spectacle would be a gross understatement, and do a disservice to the Old Members who came down to watch and lend their support.
Both teams were happy to absorb pressure and were also quite cynical in conceding repeated free kicks, which neither team were able to exploit.
It was AP however who created the better chances in the game with Simpson again cutting a lonely and bored figure in the AP goal.
Chances fell to Spencer, firing over when put through by Egan, and Elion evading his marker to narrowly shoot wide in a game of few other goal-scoring opportunities.
The lack of goals and the stop-start nature of the game can be blamed on both teams who lacked any real creativity on the day. Everyone huffed and puffed but couldn’t find a way to blow the other’s house down. The gusty wind that strengthened during the game couldn’t either!
AP deserved their victory though because their defence of Fabb, Egan, Patterson and the ever-improving Gunyan, didn’t give the oppo a sniff of goal. The protection offered by Jones and Nicholaou also added to Simpson’s boredom in goal.
AP’s penalty late on in the game was reward for Kelly’s strong run that brought a clumsy tangle of legs just inside the HSBC area. And following his two penalties from the previous week, he made no mistake sending the keeper the wrong way (“It’s all in the eyes’).
So, AP now move 1 point behind the leaders and boast the only unbeaten record in the division. Next up are bottom placed Latymerians who will be hoping AP underestimate them and think they simply need to turn up to get the points.
Well sorry Lat’s, but that is not the way of this AP team. We smell blood and we will be there to feast!
MoM: Chris Simpson for staying awake, and our loyal following of supporters who had to watch such drivel. We hope the 3 points made it more palatable.
