Kick off.

Horse had started this season slowly and were keen to claw back some points. With Ian and Dave looking on helplessly, Horse drew first blood. Keeper Darren, was beaten by a fine individual goal. The horse forward carried the ball across the pitch from right to left. Marked by Chris, he pulled an unexpected left foot effort across the goal and beyond the keeper.

The game continued with each side battling hard for the next goal. Fine efforts at both end, some wonderful defensive work with well timed blocks and some outstanding saves by both keepers. Defender Chris pushed forward on his darting runs down the right wing but was unlucky not to register on the score sheet. At half time it remained 1-0.

After the break Horse came out strong. Soon they had doubled their lead and the Shambles were quivering.

Pressure was building on the Shambles. They knew that the game was slipping away. It was time for action. As so many times before, it was the new signing, Craig that came up with the goods. A well worked movement starting deep in the Shambles defence was finished by a predator’s goal at the other end. Latching on to a re-bound of the back wall, Craig ensured that the Shambles remained in contention by slotting the ball home. A great equaliser!

Looking to build on the last goal, the Shambles applied steady pressure and were eventually awarded a free kick on the edge of the box. Quick thinking Ade, took advantage of some ‘relaxed’ defending and was almost rewarded. His instinctive strike found the underside of the bar. The ball bounced down tantalisingly close to the line and then clear from the goal. Horse took a deep breath, Ade stood bemused.

With the game drawing to a close a tactical substitution was made. A weary Ian gave way to the revitalised Chris. As in the first half his attacking instinct came to the front. This time however, his move was perfect. Picking the ball up just outside centre, he drove towards goal. A two-touch combination followed by a low driven shot was enough to beat the scrambling Horse keeper to the inside of the post.

2-2! Deservedly the Shambles pulled back the deficit. Chris is now in the top three goal scorers for the season.

Pre-match banter between the Shambles seasoned striker and the Horse keeper undoubtedly had an influence on the result. Several chances were had where we would expect Dave to find the net, but it was the keeper who had the last laugh. Some fine saves on the night kept the Horse in the points and our striker struggling to find form this season.

With a full compliment available for next weeks match, Captain Graham, will have to think carefully about his selection. Watch this space.