A cracking game to get the new season going. Two teams as different as AVB and Arry went at it full tilt from the off. The Pigeons, stretching their wings for the first time in the top flight are the tallest team in Western Europe. Their smallest player is taller than our tallest. And they made it count. Channelling Delap, their horizontal throws caused all sorts of problems in the Hackney box, and before long the south Londoners had laid a couple of golden eggs in the corner of our nest. Net. It looked like being a turkey shoot. But the Hackney boys are growing in maturity and patience. With pace and intricate passing we increasingly ruffled the Pigeons' feathers. Ben struck home with a sweet volley inside the 18 yard box before half time, only to see yet another set piece lead to the Pigeons' third.
But the second half was all about Reccy. We found our rhythm and the opposition seemed to weary. Some lovely weighted passes from Joe Haley and Joao and smart interplay all over the pitch put Liam through to nick two. The whistle came too soon - we were going for the kill, talons bared.
A fantastic fight back to get the draw. In the opening fixture last season we also drew 3-3, but then we threw away a 3 goal lead. Encouraging, hard-working team performance all round with brilliant debuts for brothers Dave and Tom and excellent stints in goal from Joao and Jimmy.
A win would have been nice but at least we're air-borne.
Team: Joao Spinola, Jimmy Lloyd, Mario Pisano, Tom Perrett, Dave Perrett, Dan Hare, Dan Davis, Joe Haley, Aaron Gayle, Max Bland, Liam Greenaway (2), Chris Chambers, Ben Chambers (1).
