Men’s 4’s played league leaders Lavant on Saturday the 8th of Feb .
Push back was 4pm on pleasant winters afternoon.
Romsey had beaten Lavant in a thrilling 4-3 match away from home earlier in the season so hopes were high for another entertaining fixture!
Lavant started well moving the ball with pace and exploiting space in midfield , after a couple of close calls and solid defending from Rob Cav and Lukasz S they found their way through to open the scoring 1-0!
Romsey remained positive and started to move the ball better in midfield with Tom M , Freddie O and Ellison B using their speed to spread the play . This gave Colin H room on the right to make more attacking runs , one of which saw him enter the D and unleash a powerful hit which the keeper got a foot to but such was the power he could not stop it crossing the line for the equalsier! 1-1
Lavant responded well and Romsey were still being to tentative allowing the skillful Lavant attack to much time on the ball and soon this told with two quick goals which could of been 3 if it had not been a great save from Ollie O pushing the ball onto the post. 1-3
Disaster struck then as Romsey stalwart Lukasz S was forced off after pulling his calf. Romsey had to organise quick and Simeon F dropped back into defence to partner Nick C in the centre.
Romsey kept plugging away and Steve W was working hard up front ably supported by debutante Cameron S. The hard work paid off and Romsey won a short corner Simeon F came up to inject to Colin H who slipped in Tom M but he was closed down quickly so dropped the ball back to Simeon F who managed to squeeze a shot in from a tight angle 2-3!
It was end to end now with both teams going close Colin H almost pulled off a carbon copy of his first goal off but narrowly went wide. Unfortunately the Lavant number 20 who had been a thorn in the Romsey side danced through again to make it 2-4 at the break.
Romsey knew they could do better and after a good half time chat they came out a different team. They were far stronger on the ball and more solid with their passes and up front Steve W and Dan B was starting to influence the attack.
Lavant were still very dangerous but Romsey matched them in every department with great defending from Pete O , Nick C and Rob Cav keeping Romsey in the game.
Romsey’s pressure was starting to tell as the half wore on and Tom M and Ellsion B were working very hard D to D and in a 10 minute spell they both turned the match on its head. Ellison breaking from the half way line and setting Tom up to score and then grabbing one himself. 4-4!
Romsey still need to be alert as Lavant were still strong up front , Ollie O made a superb double save , coming off the line to smother the first then clear with the second.
Romsey held on well to claim a great draw which felt like a win!
Player of the match Ellison B – great goal and assist!😊
