Lge (A)
Drew 2-2
(H/T 1-2)
On our fourth consecutive away trip (only 2 more until we get back to Moulton), saw us down in North Hertfodshire to face Letchworth Garden City Eagles. With a number of players returning from injuries & other engagements manager Petts had a few selection problems, nice problems, to solve. The game started off in a niggly fashion that was to last throughout, both teams committing needless fouls and then persisting in claiming their innocence to the referee. Out of the blue a cross from the left side of the 18 yard box was miss-judged by Jonny in goal with the ball hitting the inside of the far post and flying into the net off the top of his back, 1-0 after 7 minutes. This woke the Magpies up to play football which we did with immediate effect. Luca & Nat exchanged quick passes on the edge of the box leading to a cross from Nat that was steered home by Luca, 1-1 after 9 minutes. We than proceeded to commit the cardinal sin of switching off as straight from the Kick Off a ball to the left side of the pitch, a missed tackle, ball watching, 2-1 down after 10 minutes. 10 minutes later after struggling from almost the start of the game, skipper Andy Hall was substituted with a tight hamstring. The games comedy moment cane 3 minutes later when the Letchworth number 8, taking lessons from Tom Daly, flung himself to the ground in the box, arms flaying shouting for a penalty, not given. A through ball from Luca was headed clear bye the keeper falling to Nat 35 yards out, unfortunately his snap shot towards the empty net drifted wide. More injury woes after 41 minutes as Mells limped off with a pulled calf to be replaced by Francis. On the stroke of Half Time Letchworth should have increased their lead as from a corner the ball fell to their unmarked centre forward on the penalty spot. Fortunately for the Magpies he scuffed his shot into the arms of a grateful Jonny.​​​​​
HALF TIME LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY EAGLES 2 MOULTON 1
The second half started as the first with lots of fouls, lots of moaning and little football. Good defending from Ben kept the score at 2-1, at the other end 2 free kicks from just outside their box both came to nothing. After 65 minutes a break down the left from Lewis who crossed towards Harry with only a last ditch challenge preventing Harry from scoring. Bizarrely the Letchworth number 8 foolishly started moaning at the referee, already on a yellow pushed the referee too far, second yellow sent off with 25 minutes to play. With the Magpies on top after a further 15 minutes of play yet more complaining to the referee, Luca gets sin binned, Darren expressing his frustration!! Luca comes back on as we move into time added on. 90+3 another free kick 25 yards out, Lewis steps up this time and shoots towards the bottom left corner of the goal. The keeper pushes the ball out but only to Archie who crosses to the unmarked Luca in the middle to score the equaliser. From villain to hero? A niggly stop start game with far too much complaining to the referee (who had a good game) throughout, will we learn?
FINAL SCORE LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY EAGLES 2 MOULTON 2
TEAM Vallance, Ashman (Isom 60), Barnett, Melling (Boateng 41), Jackson, White, Hall (Weston 20), Iaciofano, Ansu, Darnell (Elmore 80), Soro (Mortimer 45)
PRESSBOX MAN OF THE MATCH Ben Jackson