A poor start ending in a game that could have gone any of three ways

Team Sheet : Coby, EthanR, EthanT, Isaac, James, Jasper, Lewis, Mason, Oliver, Rui, Sam, Stanley, Thomas, Travis

More league action, and the first time the Iguanas have played on a golf course! The right side of the pitch was a good foot or two lower than the left with only the tops of the flags visible. One corner had a sand bunker, and the goal mouth an earth one.

Oliver, Mason, Coby, Isaac, James, Travis, EthanT, Thomas and Lewis teed off today.

The Iguanas started off quickly once more, unlucky not to score in the first 5 minutes from a throw in that was crossed well by James, with both Travis and Thomas not able to convert. An early free kick was also nearly converted by James.

EthanT was causing the opposing defenders trouble at every opportunity, and was being fouled for his trouble. One of these led to another free kick for the Iguanas, but it was hit too long.

A lack of communication from the Iguanas' defence nearly led to the Lions opening the scoring, but after the first quarter of the game, the scores remained level.

Sam and Stanley replaced Coby and James. EthanR, Rui and Jasper replaced Mason, Travis and Thomas.

The Lions were now showing plenty of intent, and keeping our back line busy. A good move by the Lions brought out a fantastic save from Oliver. Holding the ball, he released the Iguanas up the pitch, ultimately for a corner that unfortunately went straight out.

The Lions moved quickly and assertively down the left-side, the Iguanas conceding a throw-in. The throw was very long, and a further lack of communication at the back meant the ball was left free, and the Lions converted easily. A disappointing goal from the Iguanas’ perspective.

From the kick off, the Iguanas then gave the ball away from the whistle. The Lions pounced and the Iguanas failed to cut out the danger. The ball was quickly crossed, with further poor communication leaving the Lions to capitalise once more in short-order.

A similar pattern happened once more. The Iguanas gave the ball away immediately, to see the Lions rush forwards on goal. A trip by an Iguanas’ player resulted in a free kick in a very dangerous position. Oliver set his wall well, but the Lions attacker hit the ball with real venom. It was heading to the top left corner of the goal, but Oliver stood tall, and jumped at the perfect time to prevent the goal. A top save.

Dunmow’s corner came into the box, but Stanley managed a great little intercept to nullify the danger. Pushing forwards, the Iguanas were to be denied a chance to get back on terms by the half-time whistle.

Half time.

Oliver, Mason, Coby, Isaac, EthanR, Travis, Rui, Lewis and Thomas kicked for the second half. The Iguanas display in the first half was one to put behind them, the scoreline having had the potential to be a good bit worse.

Thomas made a good early break, but with little support could not capitalise.

When the Lions broke, Mason provided solid defensive cover. But another break gave the Lions a corner, and repeating some of the first half issues, there was little communication or desire to attack the ball. The Iguanas got away with this without conceding, but continued to give the ball away unnecessarily.

Managing to push forwards, the Iguanas were awarded a free kick from a little way out. After a little deliberation, Mason lined up for the kick and smashed the ball accurately at the Lions’ goal. Their keeper managed to get fingers to the ball, but it was too well struck. It kissed the bar and went in. A bit of respite from some sloppy play by the Iguanas.

This started to give the Iguanas a bit of spark, Travis placing a well-weighted cross that Lewis connected with nicely, the keeper just saving the ball before Thomas could tap it in. EthanR was also proving very strong up the right wing. The Lions could do little but concede a corner, which Travis took well, but nobody was available to convert it.

Despite having started to spark, the Iguanas paid for this. The Lions pushed forwards, every first tackle the Iguanas made being of the awful variety, and nobody really attacking the ball. Through on goal, Oliver could do nothing to save the inevitable shot.

Now the Iguanas kicked into gear. They’d allowed themselves to be owned through this game thus far, and were fortunate not to be further behind.

Rui took control and showed the way with some decent long balls and attacking the ball. This didn’t, however, stop the Lions pushing for more goals themselves, bringing out a great double save from Oliver.

Rui and Lewis made way for EthanT and James. They picked up what Rui had started and moved forward with intent. Winning a corner, Travis curled the ball in. The lions were first to it, but elected to pass it out short, which was mistake. Thomas and EthanT were on it extremely quickly, Thomas able to feed the ball to James who made absolutely no mistake.

Now the Iguanas were firing on all cylinders. The demeanour of every player had changed and they wanted a better result here. They pushed and pushed, and eventually Thomas broke clear and levelled the score with a neat shot past the Lions’ keeper. Could they do it?

Jasper and Sam came on for Isaac and Travis to get some additional energy into the mix, and the Iguanas continued to press. Care was needed, however, as the Lions were still showing ability to break quickly, Oliver just intercepting one attack having positioned himself further up the field as the Iguanas attacked.

The boys pushed and pushed, forcing corners and keeping the Lions pressed back, but try as they might, they couldn’t get that final goal to pull off a perfect comeback.

This game demonstrated the true grit that we all know the Iguanas possess. When the blue touch paper was lit, they were difficult to stop and very nearly snatched the victory. But the first half performance was poor, with no communication or desire for the ball, and the team were somewhat lucky to only be two down at half-time, taking the lacklustre play into the first part of the second half.

The pitch was very poor, which did not help. But both teams had that to deal with. And an excellent final 15 minutes or so showed what they are capable of regardless of the par 5 pitch. A hard-earned draw that could have been a win with earlier application.

Iguana of the Match : James – first goal for the Iguanas, and well-deserved. Also produced some wicked crosses and solid tackling.