LETCHWORTH GC EAGLES 2 KEMPSTON 2
A late second half goal secured a draw against Kempston from the Premier Division of the Spartan SML, who were much the better side in the first half.
Eagles went a goal down in less than 10 minutes after Kempston attacked down the centre. Eagles defence failed to clear the ball which ran loose to a Kempton forward who shot low into the net from near the penalty spot. Eagles had a chance to equalise after 17 minutes when they gained a free kick in a central position a few yards outside the Kempson penalty area, but the kick flew just wide of goal.
After 23 minutes Eagles attacked down the right wing and a high cross into the Kempton penalty area was headed wide of goal by an unmarked Rory Gillham. Kempston then had a good chance to respond when a forward was clear of goal, but he scuffed his shot straight at Eagles keeper, who then had to make a good save just before half time to parry a shot from inside the penalty area.
Kempston continued to create chances and a long thrown in was headed into the hands of the Eagles keeper before a couple of minutes before the end of the half they scored a second goal. Their number 9 made a break down the centre, but his low shot was parried by Eagles keeper, only into the path of another opponent who passed the ball into an empty net from a few yards out.
Shorty after half time Eagles keeper passed the ball straight to a Kempton player standing near the edge of Eagles penalty area but he compensated for his error by make a fine low save to parry the shot before the ball was cleared by covering defender. Another Eagles mis placed pass out of defence gave Kempson a chance to score, but this time the final shot was wide of goal.
Play swung from end to end, and Eagles keeper did well to parry a shot from near the penalty spot following a Kempston free kick near the half way line. Within 5 minutes it was Eagles who got a goal as the game entered its final stage, with a spectacular half volley into the top corner of the net from near the edge of the penalty area by Theo Nobbs. He then headed a long throw in just wide of the Kempston goal as Eagles began to dominate the game.
A few minutes from the final whistle Eagles did get the equalising goal. Shay Kelly broke through the Kempston defence and threaded a pass to Jake Feast who ran into space, took the ball wide, and passed the ball low into the far corner of the net from a tight angle. Eagles then almost got the winning goal, but the Kempston keeper managed to fingertip wide a shot from the edge of the penalty area which was heading for the top corner of the net.
