Apollo London FC - Camden and Islington FC
After a challenging game against an aggressive side, our boys strived to achieve the win at the first round of the Jim Rogers President's Divison One Cup competition. The match started with the best omens for Apollonians. At the 8th minute, they managed to score from a 30-metre distance powerful strike. Although in the first 20 mins the boys' performance in the pitch was predicting a straightforward win on the contrary the opponents became threatening and equalised after a targetful strong shoot from the top of the penalty area. The game turned to a very messy style football with constant physical battles at every side of the pitch and the opponents showed more energy and won critical balls. At the 38th minute the Apollonians failed to clear off a seemingly easy ball from the penalty box area so the opponent attacker advantaged from the rebound and tried a weak shoot which ended in the nets after deflection and wrong reaction from our keeper. 3 minutes earlier Apollonians had seen their central midfielder leaving the pitch due to ankle injury.
In the second half, the match was a 'one-Team show' as the Apollonians playing with heart and decisiveness dominated and scored three beautiful goals. Remarkable to stress the three players came in as substitutes in the second half had a significant contribution for our squad's better performance. The boys equalised 2-2 at the 57th minute from the 11-metres spot after earning a penalty kick. The offence was committed when the Apollonian left winger passed through the channel to the attacking midfielder who, being at an advantageous position to finish, was improperly shoved to the ground. The Appolonians efforts fructified with a third goal at the 78th minute when our forward player ran faster than the opponent defender, reached first the ball at the right flang and crossed it low at the penalty kick area where our attacking midfielder as a trailer successfully finished.
The 4th goal was succeded at the third minute of the stoppage time when our left winger intruded the opposite defending line and after an intense 20-metre run, his shoot attempt didn't get properly blocked from the opponent goalkeeper. At the end of the game, our players loudly celebrated this fully deserved knock-out game victory against a tough and physical side.
