It was a challenging match, especially since we hadn’t played in five weeks due to weather and fixture issues. However, the team came together well and started the game with a strong determination to succeed.

We controlled much of the first half and created several opportunities, but couldn't convert. Stanground Cardea capitalized on a miscommunication between our defenders to take an early lead. Fortunately, we bounced back quickly, with Liam Oliver Smith scoring the equalizer just a few minutes later, assisted by Snor Islam. We went into halftime at 1-1, feeling confident and optimistic about securing the desired result after dominating play.

In the second half, we continued to take control, forcing Stanground Cardea to resort to long balls as we effectively blocked their midfielders from playing.

Around the 60-minute mark, we made two substitutions, bringing Filip and Jake onto the pitch. These changes proved to be pivotal as Filip scored, putting us ahead 2-1 with just ten minutes remaining.

Shortly after, Jake found the back of the net as well, but unfortunately, the goal was disallowed due to a questionable offside call by the linesman. This not only denied us a 3-1 lead but also resulted in two red cards for our team after the referee deemed some comments from the players disrespectful.

With two players sent off, we were left with nine on the field, tasked with defending our hard-fought position for the remaining time. The match extended well beyond the 55-minute mark, and in the dying seconds, the referee awarded Stanground a free kick close to our goal, which they converted to level the score at 2-2.

The game ended in an unexpected manner, and as one of our supporters remarked afterward, “we lost two points that we shouldn’t have lost.”

Now, we look ahead to next Saturday, ready to take on the next challenge.

FCP Development 1-2 Stamford Lion Reserves
Stamford Lions Res were the visitors today to Fulbridge Road.

Confidence was high after last week's performance, and this showed in a very fast start from the boys, pushed forward in numbers, and tried to get that early breakthrough and, in all honesty, we should have been 3 or 4 up in the first 15mins but credit to the Lions keeper who pulled off some good saves to keep it at 0-0.

Then, from nowhere with their first attack of the game, Lions scored with a well taken goal.
0-1. 17 mins.

This goal knocked the boys, and for the next 25 mins, lost their focus, and the game became a bit scrapy, losing that early momentum, but in saying this, we still created chances.

Two minutes before HT, a long, hopeful ball found the Lions striker in a bit of space, and he finished from a tight angle.
0-2 HT

2nd half began with a few changes and some strong words at HT. The boys started the 2nd half with more aggression, and this was rewarded within 10 mins with a goal for Aziz after some outstanding work from Hugo.
FCP 1-2 Lions. 55 mins.

There was plenty of time left for the boys to go on and get something from this game, but unfortunately, for some reason, we didn't take advantage as Lions were there for the taking.

With the game being played in the Lions half and our keeper Ali playing on the halfway line and coming up for corners , the boys piled on the pressure, corner after corner, chance after chance but it just wasn't to be.

FT
FCP 1-2 Stamford Lions.

I can't fault the effort today from everyone, dominated possession, created chance after chance, but we just lacked that quality in the final 3rd when needed.

Credit to Stamford Lions, who battled for everything and had a good keeper to back them up. 2 shots all game, 2 goals, they take the 3 points. That's football for you.

Lessons learned, we move on.