Scorers: Hancock, Frugier, Adjekwei
It was a game Alexandra Park FC had to win as it was an opportunity to go on top of the table and apply some pressure on NUFC Oilers although they have 4 games in hand. The start of the game was slow and sluggish and Wearside Rangers took advantage with a goal that can only be described as a goal mouth scramble with a touch of fortune but to be fair it was over the line and they deserved to be ahead. Usually Alexandra Park FC is galvanised by such misfortune but on that occasion it was the reverse and AP FC ended up getting deeper in their half and the impetus was on their side. The closest The home side came to levelling the game was by the ever reliable Matt Kelly free kick which went just wide of the post. The second half couldn’t have come soon enough as Alexandra Park needed to re-group.
Both Flanks was having a poor day and the manager recognised that and made the sub in the second half, only for the referee to realise that the numerical situation needed to be addressed and the second half started as we were in the first half, but alas the situation didn’t improve and the substitution to rectify the situation was duly made. Alexandra Park reverted to a more conventional 4-4-2 and the dimunitive french midfielder Frugier was relieved of his defensive duties and he started to have more impact on the game in the areas where he can be more creative. The equaliser came from a Kelly Free kick and Adjekwei was making a nuisance and lay the ball in the path of first half substitute Hancock who equalised with his second attempt to level the score and it was game on.
The home side had the victory in their sight and the usual suspects started to have more impact on the game, Adjekwei who seems to be making a late run for player of the season was in his element and having a player around him seems to have inspired his second half performance and he was again the provider with deft header to send Frugier through who tucked it in with a composed finish to give the home side a 2-1 lead. The game has now taken a more familiar approach and AP FC was having more joy and it was only a matter of time before Adjekwei who capped off a stupendous second half performance with a finish right in the top corner, although the goalkeeper got a hand to it the precision and power was enough to give the home side a 3-1 win and a deserved victory and a new entry at the summit of the SAL Senior Division 2 table.
The man of the match was no doubt Adjekwei who was involved in all three goals. Next week is versus Crouch End Vampires and in the push for promotion nothing less than a victory required. It is worth noting that the overall camaraderie in the game was a vast improvement from AP FC last performance, although the card happy ref was dishing out yellow cards like Sergio’s gravy.
MoM: Adjekwei
