Herons in another close battle with Lee Rangers

On a fine sunny Autumn, Saturday morning at the Stubbington Recreation Area, the nets were up, the RESPECT lines were drawn, and two evenly matched teams ready to do battle again in this exciting league fixture. The Herons having had the best start to a season in their short history, ready to once again pit their wits against close friendly rivals Lee Rangers.

The first half started with some end to end football with the defenders of both teams asserting themselves and proving too difficult to break down for many clear cut chances to be created, often making excellent recoveries from both teams counter-attacking play. It was the Herons who were to open the scoring in this fixture when on the counter Jack managed to pass the ball through to Olly 13 who took a well placed shot low towards the inside of the post, the keeper looked like he was equal to the shot but unfortunately for him, the ball bobbled, and despite getting a finger to it, there was just enough power for it to trickle past and into the goal. The Lee Rangers players kept their heads up though and play continued, the Herons were buoyed and another chance was created when Adam passed to George, who was just at the edge of the area. George turned his defender well and managed a pass to Olly whos' shot went just wide of the post. Another chance was created too when as Josh worked the ball into the Rangers goal area and managed to poke the ball across to an unmarked Jack whos' powerful shot at goal was very well saved by the Rangers Keeper. It was the Rangers though who got the only other goal of the first half as they played some neat football down their right-wing, and managed a good cross into the centre which was very well finished by their player. All level at half time.

The Second half saw the Rangers apply more pressure to the Herons on the ball, and their high press started to work for them as they created more chances which were defended well by the Herons backline. The Herons chances in the second half were more counter-attacking chances and the Lee defence was doing well to thwart the Herons when the came forward. It was, however, to be a Herons' counter-attack that won the game when Adam broke with the ball and passed forward to Josh who dribbled on and calmly finished to give the Herons the lead. The remainder of the game was played mainly in the Herons half with Lee enjoying more possession but they were unable to break down the Herons stalwart defence. The next best chance fell for Alfie who found himself alone in the area as the ball was passed through to him, but unfortunately, he took one touch too many and the Rangers defence managed to get across and prevent the shot from ever coming and forcing Alfie to run the ball beyond the baseline.

Man of the Match went to Noah whos' relentless tackling and tracking back broke down many of the Rangers attacking football.