Vs Catholic Utd

VS: Catholic United
 
Date: 27/08/11

Score : Chingford AFC 1-1 Catholic Utd
 
Venue: Wadham Lodge
 
Competition: Essex Olympian League Senior Division 3
 
Squad: Francis, Nava-Croft, M Thompson, Davies, Scott, Mignot, Hay, Clarke, Joseph, Legon, Collins, Kilama, Bowers, K Thompson
 
Scorers : Joseph

Report:
 
Chingford made their Essex Olympian League debut this week as they welcomed Catholic United to Wadham Lodge. With the pitch looking immacualte and both sides determined to play their high-tempo passing football it was all set up to be a thrilling contest, and it didn't disappoint. Whilst the visitors had the majority of possession in the early stages it was Athletic that could have opened the scoring as both forwards missed chances to open the account for the season, Collins hit the inside of the post when put through and Legon could only direct his header straight at the keeper after an inch-perfect Nava-Croft cross. At the other end Chingford's defence was being kept on their toes by United's lively forwards but they managed to restrict them to long distance shots. The only moment of worry was a shot which flicked the top of the bar as the ball dropped nicely for the attacker following an intital save from Francis. The Chingford wingers were getting joy whenever they attacked their full-backs and it was from this route that Chingford took the lead as Joseph took on his opponent and tried to whip in a cross, only for it to fly over the keeper and into the far corner.
 
The second half began with United in the ascendancy as they went in search of an early response and Francis was being kept busy in the Chingford goal. The defence were throwing themselves in the way of shots and put in numerous blocks to protect their lead but with Catholic pushing more and more attackers forward, Chingford were unable to create more chances on the break. The game was getting more and more stretched and the equalising goal came from a Chingford corner. The delivery was cleared and within moments the play had switched to the other end where United had four against four and converted the chance well to put the game back into the balance. There were around 20 minutes for either side to push on and grab a winner to earn all three points and there was nothing between the teams. United were pushing bodies forward and were going close but at the other end, especially after the introduction of substitute Kemar Thompson, Athletic looked threatening on the counter attack. In the closing stages Chingford had several chances to win it, most notably Mignot blazing over from just a few yards out when it seemed easier to score, but as the final whistle blew both sides had to settle for a hard-earned point to get them both off the mark for the new season.