Affinity 3 vs 3 Athletico Mosaic

Our first league outing against Mosaic would end in a 3-3 draw but that doesn't tell the whole story on a bright December morning with a very low sun that would play its part in the result.

Mosaic came out of the blocks fastest and plied the early pressure that would lead to a 3-0 lead in the first 25 minutes.  Their first goal a screamer from 30 yards that Dale could only palm into the top corner. A second resulting from some indecisive defending and a third a penalty after Dale had brought down a Mosaic striker following some more questionable defending (and was lucky not to be yellow carded or worse).  Dale had also produced a fine save to prevent the game being over before half time.

A spirited response would lead to two Josh P goals before half time putting Affinity right back into a game they had not got started in. The first a header from a throw in and the second a fine first time finish from a slick passing move involving Jordan, Jamie & Ian.

The half time team talk was easy, 'let's start from here, use the space down the flanks and keep a tight disciplined line at the back' (inspiration from Mike Bassett).  A cross wind strengthened in the second half and would turn Josh S and Jamie throw ins into potent weapons. 

Affinity applied most of the second half pressure with the back line keeping Mosaic strikers to feeding off scraps. Jamie and Gary marshalled the centre midfield with James and Josh S becoming increasingly significant figures.  Affinity's third goal came from a Josh S throw that reached the Mosaic box and a flick to the edge of the penalty box that James met on the volley leaving the goalie no chance.

It was only Affinity that looked like finding a winner but two good saves denied James and Ian.  Overall a draw was probably the right result but I can't help feeling this was another two points lost rather than one gained.

Man of the match goes to Josh P whose two goals were vital to getting Affinity back into the mix before half time.  Special mention also to Jamie whose midfield battle with Mosaic's playmaker was a key factor in keeping Mosaic's supply to their forwards to a minimum in the second half