1st X1 Match Report

FDMC CENTRAL FINANCE (2) v Inglewood (2)

A point gained!!

FDMC Central Finance gained a valuable point in their quest to maintain second place in the league, as near rivals Hawera suffered a rare home defeat to Peringa. But they will probably reflect on a missed opportunity to extend the gap after a very dubious penalty decision that cost FDMC a deserved win as they were held to a 2-2 draw at home against fourth placed Inglewood.

Facing possibly the worst playing conditions this seasons, both sides were reluctant to take the field but braved gale force winds and freezing rain to play the game. FDMC won the toss and elected to go with the wind in the first half and quickly established a territorial advantage. Playing to the conditions, FDMC Central Finance were able to put great pressure on their opponents and it was only a matter of time before they scored with a well taken goal by Morgan HALL. Further chances fell to Tomas MOSQUERA and Dom SQUATRITI but it was not until captain Stephen KIBBY drove into the box that the home team were rewarded with a penalty as he was cruelly taken out off the ball. Morgan HALL stepped up to calmly slot the ball home and extend the lead.

Inglewood grabbed a goal back just before half time when FDMC failed to clear a free kick played into the six yard area and in the confusion that followed, the ball fired off two players to land fortuitously at the feet of an unmarked player who slotted it home.

Turning round into the wind and rain in the second half, FDMC started the brighter of the two sides and stretched their opponents immediately with some dazzling work by sub Andrew CROWE, who linked well down the left with Morgan HALL and Tomas MOSQUERA. The first chance fell to Rory GARNER who brokje through on the right hand side and took the ball into the penalty area but he scuffed his shot wide of the post in a real let off for Inglewood. The second half was evenly shared but Inglewood did not look like they had the ability to score against a resilient defence.

As the game looked likely to end in a hard fought win for FDMC they suffered a cruel blow as the referee awarded a penalty to the visitors in a situation that remains a mystery to everyone - including the Inglewood team. In a 60 / 40 tustle between two players, in favour of FDMC defender Geoff ANDREWS, he found himself first to the ball and cleared it long towards the half way line. Everyone reacted to the development of the game except the referee who blew his whistle and pointed to the spot - there had been no appeals for a penalty and it dealt a huge blow to teh home side as they converted the spot kick.

Further chances to win the game fell to Tomas MOSQUERA who saw a couple of chances just creep past the post but the damage had been done and in the end all of the players seemed happy to return to the changing rooms for some shelter.

One point gained - yes, but it felt like two points lost and the disappointment was evident. Sweetened only by the Hawera result, FDMC now face three more league games to hold on to second spot and one more home game to claim the Challenge Trophy. They face a very tough game away to in form side Peringa next week.