Result: Draw 2-2
Scorers: Stuart 2
Starting: Andy (goal), Ben (left back), Alex and Reece (central defenders), Will S (right back), Ollie, Reece, Mark and Mathew S (midfield), Johnny and Stuart (forward)
Subs: Jack, Matthew C, Max, Peter

This was a strange game which started off looking as though Abbots would be comfortable winners but ended up being very fortunate to scrape a draw with a late goal.

In the first half St.Albans looked as though they were there for the taking, but Abbots failure to do so would eventually cost them. Even so, they were still unlucky not to win. Abbots went ahead midway through the first half with a goal from Stuart with an assist from Johnny, and were still ahead at the end of the half.

The second half started with a tactical switch which saw Stuart and Mark pulled out wide. This looked promising on this size of pitch, but early in the second half a St.Albans player pulled Will S down and went on to score. The referee had put his whistle in his mouth but decided not to blow it. Everyone watching from the touchline thought this was a foul on Will, but the referee decided otherwise. The levelling of the scores gave St.Albans a bit more self belief.

Although the second half became more evenly balanced, Abbots created three golden, virtual open goal, opportunities which were wasted when it seemed it was easier to score. Stuart’s pace down the left looked as though it would unlock the St.Albans defence, but almost every time he got past the full back he crossed in front of their defence. The central defenders were comfortable with this, and it posed little threat. In previous games he would get down to the goal-line and get the cross in behind the defence, but he didn’t do so today. The early crossing seemed to be the result of frustration when more patience would have been better.

Abbots play in the second half became less controlled and more frantic. Andrew had had a great game but had to come off in the second half. Max came on as goalkeeper, but six minutes later, Abbots went behind. The situation for Abbots, being 2-1 down, now looked dire. St.Albans were further buoyed by being a goal in front. Credit to Abbots however. They kept playing, and with just a couple of minutes left, some sheer determination from Stuart saw him get forward and score brilliantly. It was a wonderfully unexpected end to this desperate encounter.

The man of the match award went to Reece for his good work in the centre of midfield.