With an away match at last seasons league and cup double winners the team were a bit apprehensive.
Cranleigh did start well and matched Albury with not many chances for either team. After a competitive opening 15 minutes ball down our left saw the Albury winger through on goal .
A great cover tackle by Charlie O Brien winning the ball as the winger was about to strike. However the ref didn’t seem to have the same view as he awarded a penalty !!! A somewhat harsh decision as it was the first time this season Charlie had actually timed his tackle to win the ball.
The Albury centre forward scored the penalty making it 1-0 . We did rally and a great through ball by Isaac Holt saw Jack Rogers through on goal only to narrowly put his effort past the post. Another good effort from Jack 5 minutes later was the last action of a very even first half.
The second half was much the same as the first with neither side dominating. A Cranleigh free kick by Harry Dancaster was just over the bar. Isaac Denton Miller produced 2 excellent saves within 5 minutes as Cranleigh started to tire. A succession of corners for Albury led to their second as the ball fell to their striker who turned and fired into the goal 2-0 .
Despite going 2-0 down Cranleigh never gave up. I think at this point with a number of players struggling and 2 -0 down most teams would of gone on to concede more goals .This Cranleigh team however never gives up as we continued to match Albury and had a few half chances late in the game .
With the final score 2-0 a shattered group of players trudged off the pitch having again given their all.
A defeat away at last years champions is in no way a disappointment and but for a terrible penalty decision it could of been closer .
At the end of the day Albury probably did deserve to win but we made them fight for it .
Men of the match
An Isaac double
Isaac Denton -Miller – Great saves kept us in the game
Isaac Holt – Defensive midfield player who tackles well and brings the ball out , always looking to pass the ball a coaches dream
