An under strength reserve side kept up the momentum in their title run with a combative 2-2 draw against Clairvaux. Dan Strickland struck in the first half, pouncing on a keeper error to fire home. Clairvaux equalised just before half time from a deep cross which was converted at the back post. It looked like Micah Silva had handed Bardon Latrobe the win in the 88th minute with a curling long range shot but Clairvaux equalised just before full time – the shot deflecting off a Bardon Latrobe defender and into the bottom corner.
88′ | GOAL! Brazillian magic from Micah Santos Silva puts Bardon 2 – 1 up.
— Bardon (@BardonLatrobeFC) April 30, 2017
The firsts lined up;
McDonald (GK), A. Powell, Walker (C), Castillo, Johnston, Smart, Jones, Crètois, Yasse, Mavrik, Bertram – Subs – Field, McDermott, Hamilton
In a scrappy first half, Bardon Latrobe created and squandered the majority of the chances. Crètois and Mavrik both had great chances but couldn’t find a way past the Clairvaux keeper.
Half time and it’s too much for young Harry. Bardon Latrobe 0 – 0 Clairvaux. pic.twitter.com/IRIbAC3IY3
— Bardon (@BardonLatrobeFC) April 30, 2017
In a bright opening to the second half Mavrik broke the offside trap and bore down on goal – dragging his shot just wide of the far post.
Bardon Latrobe continued to apply pressure and had a succession of corners before one broke to Sean Jones who fired home, to the delight of the boisterous home support on the hill.
53′ | GOAL – Sean Jones finds the net after the corner. BLFC 1 – 0 Clairvaux. pic.twitter.com/mddbEeXZRR
— Bardon (@BardonLatrobeFC) April 30, 2017
The second half had sprung to life and both teams created chances before on the 77th minute the Clairvaux striker found the net following a corner.
Bardon Latrobe pushed to recover the lead with the lively Bertram coming closest, drawing a top save from the Clairvaux keeper who pushed a curling effort round the post. McDonald in goal kept Bardon Latrobe from going behind whilst the departing skipper, Jason Walker was sweeping up the majority of chances before they got there.
The game looked to be ending with a draw until the 88th minute when Crètois put the defenders under pressure from a high bouncing through ball. The French talisman somehow finding space to chip the ball over the oncoming keeper.
88′ | GOAL Hugo Crètois latches onto the through ball and chips the keeper. pic.twitter.com/MhgBGVXMcQ
— Bardon (@BardonLatrobeFC) April 30, 2017
Somehow there was still time for Clairvaux to launch a last attack but when that came to nothing McDonald cleared the ball long, bouncing over a defender on the edge of the box and it dropped to Crètois who smashed the volley into the top corner to seal the 3 – 1 victory.