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Putney Pacers 2 – 2 Kew Antigua Reserves

By Adequate Ash

On a cold Sunday morning, Putney Pacers were at home against Kew Antigua reserves.

Having lost 2-1 on their last outing against Kew, the pacers were out for blood.

Following back to back wins and crowd attendance still at a record high – thanks Kevlar – the Pacers were full of confidence.

Antonio was back between the sticks, protected by Flip-Flop, Ben, Ollie and Ash.

Alex and Spracks formed the creative centre in midfield, flanked by Sean and Nick.

The Pacers’ very own Tom Daley found himself up top again and was partnered by Steven.

The game kicked off and started at a good tempo, with the Pacers controlling the game and putting together passages of good passing play.

The Pacers were applying pressure and had countless chances to take the lead, but were left wanting when trying to hit the target.

It could have been a rugby score line in the first 15/20 minutes but instead it was the Pacers that thought they were actually playing rugby, with shots ending up high and wide.

Down the other end of the field, the defence remained strong, playing the high line with Antonio sweeping up any long balls from behind.

The beak finally came mid-way through the first half. Flip Flop “got turned inside out by their right winger”, according to our match commentator/spectator/crowd/Kev, who crossed hard and low.

The ball took a huge bobble as it came across the box, altering its course and taking it out of the path of Ash’s right foot clearance.

Their striker pounced on the opportunity and came steaming in to smash the ball in the back of the net. 0-1 Kew Antigua.

Pacers didn’t let their heads drop and continued to play the better football.

Some great build up play by Alex and Spracks released Sean out wide, who put in a peach of a cross.

All it needed was a slight touch at the back post to caress it into the back of the net – but Martin had other ideas and his glancing header sent the ball wide.

Just before the end of the first half, an innocuous ball over the top saw Flip-Flop hit the deck in an elaborate fashion – apparently the winger had brushed his elbow against his nose, blood went everywhere.

Flip-Flop was removed from the field of play and given a tissue on the sidelines.

He re-entered the fray 5 minutes later and got his revenge.

Kew’s winger was steaming down the left wing but found his shot blocked, as Flip-Flop threw himself in the way to concede a corner.

The half finished 0-1 Kew Antigua Reserves.

The second half started in much the same way as the first, with the Pacers piling on the pressure as they looked for the equaliser.

Some neat build-up play forced Kew to concede a corner.

Sean whips in a beauty of a cross that lands right in the six yard box.

Following some confusion, the ball lands at Ash’s feet, who plays a neat pass into Martin’s feet.

The crowd – Kev – are on the edge of their seats as Martin pulls back his trusty right foot and blasts it goalwards, finding the bottom right corner of the net.

The crowd goes wild. 1-1.

With 20 minutes to go, the Pacers are still piling on the pressure as they look to get the winner. Rob comes on to replace the injured Flip-Flop – his nose never fully recovered.

As the Pacers continue to press forward, a long lofted ball from Kew’s centre back puts the Pacers on the back foot.

Kew’s left winger breaks the offside trap and sprints down the wing, with Rob in pursuit.

As he nears the edge of the box, Rob brings the winger down and concedes a free kick in a dangerous position.

They score – 1-2 Kew Antigua – and at least 10 minutes remain.

The Pacers really pile on the pressure for the last 5 minutes and, again, some good build up play leads to a Pacer corner.

Sean steps up. The crowd silent (busy finding the record button on his phone). Everyone is forward, including the goal keeper. This is it. The last chance…

Sean whips in a great ball and Alex rises like a salmon to smash the ball home. 2-2!

The Pacers manage to win one last corner before the full-time whistle, but it was harmless.

Final score 2-2.

Although not a win, the Pacers played well. If not for the two very soft goals, as well as the rugby-esque finishing by the forwards, and the Pacers would have won by quite a significant margin.

Putney Pacers are now 4 games undefeated.