London Falcons soared to a seventh league win in eight after a 2-1 victory over Ocean Rangers.
Falcons XI: Matt H; Matt D, Jeff, Declan, Sam, Kieran; Paddy, Charlie, George (c); Will, Stevie. Subs: Jeff J, Jimmy, Pete Goals: Kieran, Stevie Man of the Match: Matt “The Cat” Hall In a top of the table clash, it was second playing third as London Falcons travelled to the Abbey Rec hoping to leapfrog their hosts with a win. On a narrow and bobbly pitch it became apparent that to be able to do this, they would need all of their resolve to grind out a difficult victory. It was a nightmare start for the visitors though, with Ocean Rangers scoring early against the run of play in a sweeping counter attack, with the game still in its early embers.
However, the Falcons refused to lie down and got themselves back into the game with an immediate equaliser. Some high pressure from Will split the Ocean defence, allowing the evergreen Kieran to maraud down the right flank into the space and coolly nutmeg the keeper with a tidy finish. From here the battling really began. With the wintry weather causing pings and twinges in muscles across the park, the Falcons needed to use all of their tactical nous and mental strength to adjust to the loss of key players. With Paddy, Declan and Will all going off injured, Ocean began to create chances and went close on three occasions to taking a 2-1 lead.
But it was the Falcons who were to find that all important third goal of the game with just ten minutes left on the clock. Makeshift striker Jimmy, enjoying his cameo high up the pitch, threaded a lovely ball through to Stevie, whose slotted finish triggered scenes of jubilation both on and off the pitch. The points were not won yet though and the Falcons were made to sweat with a flurry of late pressure from the hosts. It seemed as if the lead had been lost as an Ocean Rangers header clattered against the crossbar, before Matt Hall in the Falcons net turned hero with a remarkable double save from two yards out at the death. With those cat-like reflexes, the points were won and the Falcons moved up to second in the table! From there the celebrations continued into the night with Charlie’s birthday and the club’s Christmas do lasting long into the evening!