Apollo London FC - LBS Lions

Our critical home game against the current leader side of the League didn't have a happy end as the boys were defeated for first time this season after 7 formal games. Early in the first half, at the 11th and 17th minute, after a poor reaction from our goalkeeper at both cases   the visitors scored two goals making the game leaning to their favour. The Apollonians tried to quickly return in the match and missed two good chances during the period 30' and 40'. The opposite side were solid at their defending and middle lines keeping on winning many contentious balls thus making it hard for the boys to develop the ball properly and create threats at the opposite top third.

At the second half, the formation of our squad changed to a more attacking style aiming to give more pressure against the opponents. At the 66th minute, after a structured counterattack from the boys our right winger crossed low the ball over to the second post where our left winger at the right timing decisively finished the ball reducing the score in 1-2 and giving hopes for a big comeback. The last 70 mins showed an open and messy game with the Apollonians taking many risks at the back by bringing extra players in the top third of the pitch. Unavoidably the visitors were very dangerous in any counterattack condition and in one of their efforts at the 80th minute they won a penalty chance after their left winger's shoot attempt was blocked by the Apollonian midfielder's extended arm. The match started becoming a drama as the visitors failed to score from the penalty spot with the Apollonian keeper having achieved a great save. Against every forecast, despite their lost penalty  the opposite side succeeded to score a third goal at the 85th minute after a long range powerful strike made the ball ending in the Apollonians' middle top part of the net. Although the disappointing situation, the boys didn't give up, they forced the opponent side staying trapped in their large box area and managed to win a penalty chance at the 3rd minute of the stoppage time converting it to a second goal. During the last 2-3 mins of the game no remarkable moments occurred, the final whistle found the Apollonians losing a game where the individual mistakes and weekensses had determined the final result. The overall picture between the two Teams  didn't prove any differences.