It was a slow start to the match, no real chances for either side, until the 17th minute. A free kick was poorly defended, and it was a free header for Njoku to head home for the hosts. 1-0. We then rode our luck to avoid going two goals down, an 18-yard box scramble, headers being blocked, saved, denied by the woodwork, before the ball was eventually cleared for a corner. We began to grow into the match, Ollie Brown flashed a shot inches above the bar, a corner was given... then a goal kick. With three minutes until half-time, we found ourselves level. Ollie Brown, who was on corners whilst Ben Hunter was off the pitch, whipped in a delightful ball and El Capitano found himself diving into the trajectory of the ball, and it nestled into the back of the net! 1-1!

We started the second half by dominating possession, nearly getting caught out on the counter as Bradbrook saved, before Josh Okpolokpo cleared the ball off the line... phew! Joe Neal made a super run, and was played through beautifully, he was denied scoring an absolute screamer by a fingertip save from the St Ives ‘keeper to put it out for a corner. This was followed up by the goalie saving off the line from the resulting corner, he fell into the goal, but the ball was cleared after being thrown off the line. Josh received a yellow card for a tactical foul on the edge of the area. Joe Neal kept making brilliant runs in behind and he flashed a shot wide of the goal from a tight angle. Belief began to grow that we could find ourselves a late winner, but with 10 minutes to go we found ourselves down to ten men. Josh was caught in possession and then brought the player down, leaving the ref no choice but to produce a second yellow card. Charlie Lewis made a tactical foul as St Ives went on the break, and a bit of handbags broke out between the two sets of players. Unfortunately, we couldn't find a late winner and had to settle for a strong point away from home.

Now, we look forward to returning to the MEL as we face Redditch on Saturday!

See you there, Yellows!

By Isaac Mennie