APSA 0 (0) vs (0) 0 Sawbridgeworth Town - League

 

Brown, McCullagh, Langton, Shah, Hussain, Ellis, S Mpalampa, Haleem, Patel, Aubynn, Burgess, Subs: Mustapha, Ali, Gabor, Houghton, Akpele

 

London APSA welcomed a high flying Sawbridgeworth Town to the Terrence MacMillan Stadium.  At the start of play, Sawbridgeworth were sat in second place in the league table, so APSA knew they had their work cut out.  Manager John Higley decided to ring the changes following the midweek defeat by Stansted, welcoming back the influential Hussain and opting to draft in the experience of Shah; and the youth and tanacity of Ellis.

 

APSA started the game well and took the game to Sawbridgeworth, attacking them at every opportunity.  Aubynn and Patel were working hard and bagan to cause problems for the opposition back four.  Haleem was getting himself on ball and making things happen up front for APSA.  the first attack fo the game resulted in a corner for APSA.  Haleem whipped the ball in and Shah rose highest to glance a header, which dropped the wrong side of the post.

 

APSA continued to attack and a great move between, S Mpalampa, Patel and Aubynn resulted in the final ball being played to Haleem.  He steadied himself and fired in a shot which flew inches over the bar with the keeper clearly beaten.

 

Sawbridgeworth responded with attacks of their own, but the back five stood firm to keep the attacks at bay.  Brown was commanding in the APSA goal, Husaain was superb, covering the gaps and making important challenges, McCullagh was strong, as was Langton.

 

The second half started in the same vein, with APSA attacking. The tireless Aubynn was constantly running at the Sawbridgeworth defence, causing them problems.  A Patel corner was swung in and Aubynn attacked the ball and powered a header towrds goal.  The keeper was beaten, but there was a defender on the line to clear to dangere and keep the scores level.

 

Akpele was introduced to the game and he had an opportunity to shoot, but hit his effort wide.  APSA thought that they had broken the dealock, when Gabor played the ball to Shah.  His first time pass found Patel, who had work to do.  He ran past two players and, with the keeper advancing off his line, clipped a delightful chip which hit the crossbar.

 

Manager John Higley had this to say after the game 'That was a great performance from the lads.  They picked themselves up after the defeat against Stansted and were solid in all areas of the pitch.  Simpson Mpalampa epitomised that attitude, throwing himself in front of everything to stop a goal.  It was great to have Hussain back, as he gives us he gives us good stabilty at the back.  I thought that Patel was unlucky not get on the scoresheet again and he caused Sawbo all manner of problems.'