Starting line up - Lee, Pleass, A Hendren, Bone (c), K Willmoth, Griffin, Guy, Matthews, Stroud, A Mooney, Langford
Lambourn were brimming with confidence after their away win at Milton last time out and this was reflected in their football early on as they caressed the ball around with ease and precision. They were soon rewarded for their elegant play after 5 minutes when close friends Hendren and Guy linked up well down the left hand side to set up an early chance for Ben Matthews who missed and easy chance.
The side from the valley's possession continued and another chance fell to club stalwart Ade Mooney who had a point blank shot cleared off the line by a Letcombe defender, which was defended with a hint of handball, the ref said no penalty!
Quiting his job on tarmac has made a significant difference to the game of Richie Guy who was sprightly from the 1st whistle, after 15 minutes he had a shot saved by the home side's goalkeeper, which was parried to Stroud who had his shot blocked from close range. Lambourn should be 3-0 up already!!
It was not until the 28th minute when Letcombe made their 1st threat on the Lambourn goal, when the away team were left exposed down the left hand side and the cross came in, however was met by a poor header from the Letcombe player - would this prove to be a wake up call for Lambourn?
On 34 minutes a reckless challenge came in from Pleass and despite both feet coming off the ground he did not even receive a talking to from the referee, the resultant free kick did however lead to Letcombe going 1-0 up, as the free kick was poorly defended, the ball fell to Joe Kent who supplied the finish.
Lambourn's reply was more or less instant after great work by Griffin who disco-danced through a a number of Letcombe players and then crossed into the box for the predatory skills of Danny Langford to apply the finish. 1-1.
Sadly, after 44 minutes, Lambourn's inspirational leader M Bone came off worse on 50/50 challenge where he appeared to jar his leg. Bone would play no further part and was replaced by local boy Mikey Annetts.
The half time whistle came and it was 1-1, Lambourn were struggling to work out how this was the case after they had all the possession and numerous chances, with Letcombe only really having 2 chances, 1 of which they had converted.
The 2nd half started much the same way as the 1st, with Ben Matthews heading over the bar from a corner, Matthews days as a striker really were looking like a distant memory.
Letcombe's best player was easily Lyle Gifford and on 60 minutes he reminded us why as he weaved in and out of 3 Lambourn defenders and unleashed a powerful shot, leaving Lambourn's new keeper no chance. 2-1 Letcombe.
Straight after the restart, Letcombe created again with a straight forward ball down the middle, however the Letcombe striker was thwarted by the valley keeper.
Managers Clake and McNally were forced into changes and this included the substitution of their goalkeeper who had injured himself conceding Lambourn's 2nd. On came Beale and in goal went utility player Mikey Annetts.
3 minutes after being thrust between the sticks, Annetts came for a cross, which defender Pleass also came for and sadly for Lambourn it was Pleass who got their 1st with his head and scored a screamer into his own net - Andy Gray would have been proud of that bullet header!
On 71 minutes last season's top scorer Joyce came on for Guy.
Lambourn had no choice other than to throw men forward, this built an element of pressure and on 81 minutes during a scramble in the home's area, the goalkeeper tried to clear the ball only to hit it straight at Stroud for it to end up in the net. 3-2 down, we were in for a grandstand finish?
The away team continued to press, however it was is vein as they only got close with a Mooney free kick, which was saved low to the keeper's left hand side.
This was huge disappointment after last week's win away to Milton, it will be left to managers Clarke and McNally to dust his players off and motivate them again for Saturday.
Man of the match - Letcombe's Lyle Gifford
Lambourn's MOM - Kirk Willmoth.
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