The Falcons search for their first league win since promotion goes on as they were edged out by a late Goldfingers strike to lose 4-3.
Falcons XI: Alex; Danny, Jimmy W, Jeff, Mac; George (c) Baptiste, Marshal; Rob N, Will, Stevie
Subs: Jimmy, David
Following a week off due to rain, the Falcons return to the pitch in South Wimbledon could not have got off to a worse start. Within the first five minutes, some clever play down the right flank saw a ball floated in that evaded the Falcons’ defence and was slotted home from 12 yards. The Falcons were not behind for long though, with an industrious Marshall picking up the ball at the edge of the box and drilling it low into the bottom left-hand corner with a superb finish. Yet this parity was short-lived, as the hosts’ quick thinking from a throw in saw their attacker ghost into the box at the other end and head home from close range to re-establish Goldfingers’ lead.
This setback sprung the Falcons back to life and saw the visitors rapidly turn the scoreline on its head. Laying siege to the Goldfingers’ box, a seemingly endless barrage of throw-ins, corners and free kicks finally brought some reward as a deftly floated ball into the box was put into his own net by a Goldfingers’ defender. Within minutes, the Falcons had overturned the deficit with some strong hold up play by Rob earning a penalty as he was dragged down in the box. Will made it two penalties in two games to give the visitors the lead. However, the Falcons were unable to hold on until half time, as the hosts bagged a penalty of their own before the break to send the sides in at 3-3.
The second half was a stretched and open affair with both sides creating changes at either end. A superb looping through ball from Baps could not be dispatched by Will, whilst at the other end, the Goldfingers’ attacked spurned some gilt-edged opportunities, including a second penalty that was superbly stopped by the legs of Alex in the Falcons’ net.
With the game seemingly headed for a draw, there was one last cruel twist of fate for the Falcons as their defence was breached once more through a swift, counter-attacking move. A 4-3 defeat was harsh on the Falcons, but we go again next time in search of that elusive first win since promotion!