Walcountian Blues at home, Snr Flags R1 - 20 Oct 2012

The Purley pitch was quite heavy after two days of rain but the team started positively. The boys were moving the ball well and controlling the pace of the game - with a goal each from the two Matts, Payne and Carey, leading to a first quarter score of 2-0. After tough opening games against Hampstead and Spencer this was a much closer contest. As the second quarter progressed both teams shared an equal amount of possession but good defensive play kept the score low. Half way through the quarter Purley gave up two cheap goals, but managed to maintain their slender lead to end the quarter 4-3.

In the third quarter the 10 men of Purley started to tire, but the midfield trio of Mike Barrett, Guy Francis and Sam Baranowski kept giving everything. A pretty special crease dive goal by Matt Payne was the classiest moment of the quarter. The Purley defence continued to communicate effectively which restricted the Blues to low percentage shots.

The final quarter started slowly with both teams giving the ball away cheaply, but mistakes weren't being converted into goals. The purple men managed to maintain a two goal lead until the closing moments when the Blues pulled one back to make it a one goal game. The Blues had possession with 30 seconds to go but failed to get a good look at the cage and Purley cleared the ball with seconds remaining to progress through to the next round of the Flags. Final score 6-5.

Team: Goal: Paul Terry; Defence: Andy Booth, Dave Copple, Dave Slaughter; Midfield: Mike Barrett (2), Guy Francis, Sam Baranowski; Attack: Matt Payne (2), Matt Carey (2), Andy Davis
Ref: Justin Baranowski