FTL FUTBOL Hellenic Football League - Premier Division
Saturday 30th August, 2008
Pegasus Juniors 1 v 1 Reading Town

Pegasus Juniors entertained league new boys Reading Town in a FTL FUTBOL Hellenic League Premier Division at Old School Lane, Hereford. Reading Town joined the league from the Combined Counties League at the end of last season and were level on points with the home side; therefore, a close game was anticipated.

After a goalless first period the home side scored a goal early into the second half but conceded the equaliser with ten minutes remaining.

The two sides looked good going forward but, defensive frailties coupled with the inability to convert the goal scoring opportunities could prove to make this a long season.

The first quarter of the game was dominated in midfield as each team tried to probe for openings, however, with passes going astray defences had an easy time.

Just after the twenty minutes mark a cross from the right by the visitors caused confusion in the home defence, Adam Bendall could only clear the ball to the unmarked Kieron Thorne some ten yards from goal, he forced an outstanding save from James Morgan in the home goal.

Two minutes later, a free kick taken by Anthony Robbins was met by Chris Mortlock but the faint touch was not enough to direct the ball past former Pegasus goalkeeper Scott Hodgetts.

On the half hour mark a powerful header from Mark Davies following a corner kick was blocked by the visiting defence, the rebound fell to Mortlock who had his goal bound shot blocked.

Reading started to apply some pressure and should have taken the lead when the tricky Ray Spence received the ball from a throw in; his cross to the far post was met by the unmarked James Clark who headed the ball over the crossbar with only Morgan to beat.

A similar move allowed Thorne a shot on goal who was again denied by Morgan who got fingertips to the ball to push it onto the upright. The ball was cleared and eventually found Robbins he made a break down the right flank his neat pass to Mortlock enabled the striker to slip the ball into the path of Simon Gwynne but Hodgetts managed to intercept.

H|T 0 – 0

The home side started as if they meant business and Cory Hyde and Mortlock combined to get the ball to Gwynne inside the penalty area, his close control and shot on the turn saw the ball hit the outside of the post. A cross from the right by Ben Price was met in spectacular fashion by Robbins but his flying header flashed inches wide of the target.

In the fifty forth minute Pegasus gained a corner kick taken by Robbins, the ball was met by the head of Andy Mowen at the far post he guided the ball into the path of Mark Davies who crashed the ball into the net.

Five minutes later, Reading squandered a glorious goal scoring opportunity when a cross from Spence on the left found Gianluca Riccio unmarked but he blazed the ball high and wide.

Fergie Harrison and Hyde combined but the former shot weakly at the keeper and the roles were reversed as the later dragged his shot wide of the goal.

With ten minutes remaining, the home defence lost possession on the edge of the penalty area and Scott Rees took advantage of the situation guiding the ball past Morgan.

This changed the complex of the game as the visitors strived for the winning goal with the home defence on the back foot after Bobby Aldrich was substituted following an injury.

Referee: Mr. S. Smith