JONAH RUNS RIOT IN SECOND HALF TO SECURE A POINT

The Autumnal weather might have forced three South Midland games to be called off but there was never any danger that the same fate might befall this game as this encounter was played on Luton Town’s all weather training pitch, where Crawley Green’s First Team are based.

It is fair to say that neither team was in good form coming into this match, we had lost our 2 previous games (admittedly to two strong teams) and Green had only picked up 3 points from their last 6 league games, so It was therefore probably inevitable that the first half was high on energy and commitment but low on quality with neither team creating much in the way of good scoring opportunities.

Our hosts were quick to shut us down and stop us from playing out from the back and it certainly disrupted our usual flowing game. Green enjoyed more possession and had a few shots at goal but none hit the target and our Keeper Josh Ameganyi was mainly untroubled.

Former Athletic player Jimmy Doherty did get a sight of goal but his shot was straight at Josh Ameganyi. Josh Chamberlain is no stranger to scoring dramatic goals and spotting the keeper out of position he tried a long range shot which had the keeper scuttling across his goal but the ball went wide. In the 27th minute we did string a fine move together which ended with young Noah Butler firing in a shot from outside the area that forced the home keeper Adi Connolly to get down quickly and tip the ball round the post.

George Carbery found himself on a long run through on goal but Dan Trif did well to get back quickly to rob our skipper. Still chances were at a premium but shortly before half time a corner fell nicely to Green Captain and leading scorer Joe Hankins but Harrison Cornick did superbly well get across and block the shot.

With a very prosaic first half coming to a close the game took a dramatic turn when Green scored a controversial goal. After we cleared a dangerous cross from Jimmy Doherty the ball fell to a Green midfielder but in trying to control the ball it bounced up and clearly hit his arm. Despite the cries for handball (including one from the writer because I had a close view of it) the game was allowed to continue but it seemed as if no damage had been done as the Green player lofted the ball into our area and into the safe hands of Josh Ameganyi until a Nat Lofthouse 1950’s style challenge by Terry Offeh dislodge the ball which bounced gently into the net.

It seemed like a foul but the officials disagreed and we went in for half time feeling a bit aggrieved. HT Score 1-0.

Ryan Sturges and his coaching team must have rallied the players during half time because we came out a different side after the break and we created enough chances to have won the game.

We were much more threatening on the break particularly down both wings with Max Hercules on the left and Jonah Howgego on the right where the youngster ran the left side of the Green defence ragged. Just before the hour mark he ran at the opposition defence and slipped a nice pass to Guiseppe Delgaudio whose shot forced the keeper into a save, Eight minutes later following a corner Max Hercules forced the keeper into a super save and then soon afterwards fired a shot that forced the busy keeper into another save.

A super run by Jonah Howgego in the 70th minute saw him speed past the Green central defender Joseph Brinded who tried to haul him back, but the 16 year old stayed on his feet and was desperately unlucky to see his shot smack against the post.

Our hosts were dangerous on the break but we defended superbly and when balls were whipped into our area Josh Ameganyi was assured with his handling. But it was the oppositions keeper who was the busiest making two great saves at the near post firstly from Frankie Hercules and then from George Carbery.

But with 15 minutes left to go we finally got a deserved equaliser and inevitably it was Jonah Howgego who was the instigator. Yet another quick burst of speed by Jonah was halted by a foul from substitute defender Joe Parmley just outside the right hand edge of the area. Up stepped free kick specialist Frankie Hercules who found the top left hand corner of the net with a fabulous strike giving the keeper no chance. Score 1-1

We thought Frankie had clinched the win in the 85th minute when his free kick rattled the goal frame but our celebrations were a bit premature because the ball hit the stanchion at the side. Guiseppe Delgaudio latched onto a long ball but his attempted lob over the keeper was from a tight angle and the keeper was able to save easily. Green were always a threat from set pieces and quick breaks but central defenders Dave O’Connor and Harrison Cornick ably supported by full backs Adam Sawyer and Harry Jones and then Lee Stobbs were rock solid as was the handling from Josh Ameganyi.

We nearly had a fairy tail ending when Man of the Match Jonah Howgego nearly scored at the far post but keeper Adi Connolly was able to smother his close range shot.

A draw away from home is always a decent result especially when we had to come back from a goal behind. As a result of dropping 2 points we have slipped down one place to 13th in the table but we are only 3 points adrift of 7th place Harpenden Town although they do have 2 games in hand,

On Tuesday 21 November we entertain Baldock Town at home in the Semi-Final of the Herts Charity Shield. Baldock are ahead of us in the table on goal difference having had 3 points deducted and having played 2 more games than us.

Team: Josh Ameganyi, Harry Jones (74 Lee Stobbs), Adam Sawyer, Harrison Cornick, Dave O’Connor, Noah Butler, Jonah Howgego, Harry Shepherd (69 Frankie Hercules), George Carbery (Capt) (82 Jack Harvey), Guiseppe Delgaudio, Josh Chamberlain (56 Max Hercules). Sub not used: Jamie Ovington

Goals:

CG: Own Goal (45)

TA: Frankie Hercules (76)

Crowd: 39