The Leopards faced a tough task as they welcomed a strong Upchurch side to Borstal.

The hosts had a late withdrawal from illness of Brick, so Jack stepped in at right back of a back 4, while Joseph made his first start at left back.

The Leopards started strongly as they won the ball from an Upchurch goal kick, Ben drove forward and his low effort from the edge of the box cannoned back off the inside of the right post and across goal to safety.

And the hosts struck the same post soon after as Phillip went on a barnstorming run down the right and his shot was deflected onto the inside of the far post and away!!!

The visitors then started to get on top and had a golden opportunity to open the scoring as Tommy could only palm a right wing cross across goal, and with the Upchurch forward had goal at his mercy until Josh came from nowhere to block the certain goal!

The back 4 of Jack, Josh, Peter & Joseph were defending well to keep the visitors at bay.

But Upchurch did take the lead as a dangerous cross from the right, Tommy made an excellent block from close range but the ball forward fell their forward who hooked home from close range.

Into the Second Half and the visitors again had the upper hand and extended their lead as a ball down the inside right channel was finished superbly giving Tommy no chance.

The hosts slowly grew into the game following a change to the familiar 3-5-2 formation, with the midfield of Connor, Zach, David, Ben & Joe started to win a few more duels.

With 10 minutes left on the clock, we threw caution to the wind pushing Phillip higher up in a 3-4-3 and the change paid dividends soon after as Benni played the ball forward to Paul, who touched it through to Phillip. He advanced before side footing past the on rushing keeper - GAME ON!

Then with 3 minutes left we had our equaliser, as Benni did well down the right, then David put a delicious cross onto Paul’s headed and he guided his header into the corner.

There was one final piece of drama as Upchurch looked like they were in on goal, but just as they were about to pull the trigger, Peter slid in to block the effort.

Parents Player: Phillip;
Coaches Player: Josh.

Coaches Thoughts
We knew it would be a tough game and it certainly turned out to be!
Despite being 2-0 down, the boys showed that fight & determination to drag themselves into the game and get a point. Definitely a point gained!