AFC West End produced a season best performance as they became the first side to take points of league leaders AFC Bailgate.
A mixture of depleted personnel and adapting to the opposition led managers Ady Gray and Ryan Green to change formation deploying a 5-3-2 for the first time this season.
AFC started well and grew into the game with confidence, finding space and moving the ball with freedom. Taking chances if and when they came would be key for West End and Luis Boulton did just that in the eighth minute. Pouncing on a loose ball on the edge of the box, Boulton looped a shot over the Bailgate keeper into the top corner. Confidence continued to grow and AFC pushed for what would’ve been a deserved second goal, only to see Harry Stubbs denied by a linesman’s flag.
AFC deservedly lead at half time, but knew the second half would be a different challenge entirely. The second half saw the expected reaction from the league leaders, their pressure constant, but AFC dealt with it brilliantly.
The game’s key moment took place in the 81st minute, whilst defending a disputed corner the referee saw a push from AFC defender Callum Martin and despite numerous complaints the penalty stood. AFC Bailgate’s captain made no mistake from the spot and the momentum had seemingly swung in favour of Bailgate. Still on the back foot from conceding the equaliser AFC conceded a second penalty only a couple of minutes later. This time AFC keeper Ewan Downes was equal to the arguably far better spot kick, turning it around his left post.
The final minutes, plus the staggering eight added on by the referee saw AFC cling desperately to their point but also threaten to steal all three through a breakaway by the tireless Harry Stubbs. Both defences held and Bailgate had been denied victory in the league for the first time this season. A result and performance to be proud of for AFC West End.