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A late goal by Manvir stole the show as Freeflow kept their title hopes alive, but only just. When these two teams met at the start of the season they shared the points with an exciting 3:3 draw, this too proved to be an exciting game for the neutral.
Freeflow started the stronger team but St Cedds were competing well in midfield. Ahmed opened the scoring as he anticipated a loose ball in the six yard area and fired home with the aid of a deflection, 1:0.
This seemed to compose the home team and their dominance and rhytham started to show. Jag finished well with a low shot from close range after some neat passing on the right flank, 2:0. Freeflow then produced one of the ultimate football sins, after scoring the second goal they switched off, became complacent and St Cedds straight from the restart and a direct ball forward pulled a cheap goal back, 2:1.
The game at this point became scrappy and a midfield battle till half-time. Despite St Cedds being out of the title race this allowed them to play with no real pressure and they equalised early on in the second half from a corner kick, 2:2.
The pressure was really on the home side now as they knew anything other than a win in every remaining league game would end all title hopes. Freeflow started to dominate the game again, and pinned St Cedds back in their own half. Selim in midfield started to control midfield and Jag was causing the opponents problems with his dribbling ability. Chances came and went as desperation was creeping into the home side's game.
The goal eventually came as Jag received the ball from a deep position and he skipped past four defenders and showed unbelievable composure to pass the ball into the corner to round off a fantastic solo effort, 3:2. The Freeflow players were quick to realise the game was not finished yet and continued to attack. St Cedds though won a dubious free-kick in shooting range. The free-kick was whipped past a non-existent wall and through the goal-keeper in what proved to be the cheapest equaliser and potential heart-breaker.
With only ten minutes left Freeflow were encouraged to keep their cool and continue to play their passing game. The St Cedds goal keeper was producing a commanding display as he foiled Freeflow on many occasions. However with five minutes left Manvir was brought back on as a substitute under the roll on roll of rule and with two minutes to go he produced the match winning moment. Clinton switched the ball from centre midfield to Manvir in an inside left position. Clinton's pass however was a high pass which had to be brought down with touch and composure under physical pressure. Manvir was the player to show that touch and calmness and with the keeper coming out to close him down he quickly tucked the ball into the far bottom corner, 4:3.
In stoppage time Manvir had an easier chance after a lovely move but fired over the bar. In the dying seconds Freeflow had to defend a free-kick which called Yigit into action as he saved and held onto the ball well especially after his earlier error. Freeflow showed good character as the game was level twice, and twice they scored the winning goal. They also continued to play their passing game when needing the goal.
However they must learn to kill games off after being in a commanding positions. Complacency straight after going 2:0 up in the game almost proved to be their downfall.
SQUAD: YIGIT, VINAY, ARJUN, CLINTON, AMANDEEP, MOURAD, AMARDEEP, MANVIR, HARJ, JAG, JASPREET, KAMEL, SELIM, AHMED, RAJ. 4 Changes made to the previous squad.
GOALS: Ahmed 1, Jag 2, Manvir 1.
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