Josh Briggs’ Match of the Week Under 14 AST Signs Penrith AFC A 4 Keswick 4

Last updated at 12:02, Wednesday, 21 October 2009

Penrith AFC A 4 Keswick 4: An enthralling encounter between Penrith AFC A and Keswick ended in a 4-4 draw after spirited fightbacks from both teams.

It was the home side, Penrith, who went ahead early on in the game. A 25-yard thunderbolt from Ryan Gate flew past the Keswick keeper and piled on early pressure against Keswick.

Responding well, Keswick should have drawn the game level almost instantly. Good work down the right lead to a free header in the box, but Sam Sharp's effort went wide of the post.

Sharp quickly atoned for his error, heading home a superbly whipped in Jonathan Hodgson cross.

With both teams scoring early goals, the game opened up and turned into an end-to-end contest. Although the attacking displays were a delight to watch, it proved to be the opposite defensively.

A rash Penrith challenge in their box gave away a penalty and midfielder Connor Weir slotted into the bottom corner to produce a first-half Keswick comeback.

Whatever Keswick can do, Penrith can do too. Penrith got back on even terms on the stroke of half-time through Caelan Knowles. Rounding the keeper from a 30-yard through ball, Knowles composed himself and finished into an open net. The ball over the top was identified early on as Keswick's weakness and the routine was used again to punish the away team.

Keswick came out stronger in the second-half with an outstanding flowing attack involving a couple of one-two's between Sam Sharp and Connor Weir.

However, they failed to score and in doing so, were taught a harsh lesson by Penrith. Influenced by super-sub Sam Gathere at half-time, Luke Strong had an easy chance to put Penrith ahead and made no mistake in finding the net. Gathere then followed up a Knowles effort and slammed Penrith into what seemed to be a comfortable 4-2 lead.

With a two-goal advantage, and playing well, Penrith somehow imploded. Sam Gathere's tremendous debut was overshadowed by a late Keswick 'snatch-n-grab.'

Sam Sharp's drilled effort from the edge of the box found the bottom corner, giving Willacy in goal no chance. And with five minutes left on the clock, Penrith's nerves got the better of them.

A harmless through ball was spilt by Willacy and in the process of gathering the ball back, he fouled Sharp in the six-yard box. Penalty.

Weir stepped up for the second time in the game and his initial effort was well saved by Willacy, but the rebound fell to Weir who had a gaping net in front of him to make it 4-4. Luck really was on Keswick's side.

Sam Gathere spoke after the game, and said, "I enjoyed my first game, and as I did in Kenya, I found the net. We should have won but we played well and are happy with our performance."

First published at 11:36, Wednesday, 21 October 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk