The first half promised so much, with composed play throughout the team and a string of chances being created from several slick passing moves. The fact that this was achieved with a relatively new look team boded well for the future. The core of the team has played for the 2s for a number of seasons but this has been added to with plenty of fresh blood this season. The team seemed to gel extremely well and patient passing and consistent pressure when we did lose the ball soon meant the game was being played predominately in Marjon's half.
The pressure finally told as a save by the Marjon's keeper left him stranded on the floor and Chris Gilbert cooly nestled the ball into the top left hand corner of the net from five yards out.
Five minutes later and Firebrands had doubled their lead. Matt Kinall started to take on all comers in his own half of the pitch, waltzing past 2, 3 and then 4 players before sliding the ball down the inside right channel. Tom Brady picked up the pass and drove round the back, getting his head up to pick out Tom Instone on the penalty spot. One touch and bang! 2-0.
Marjon soon showed that they had some firepower of their own however, and a rare break away in the first half saw them come close and a warning that the game was far from over.
As half time came the temperature was really soaring and a call to grab a drink and sit in the shade of the trees at clifton college is not something you'll hear in many half time team talks during the "winter" league.
Marjon started the second half more brightly and the game was much more end to end with both sides carving out some opportunities. However Firebrands had lost the dominance of the first half and Marjons seemed to sense this.
A slight dip in concentration at the back for Firebrands allowed Marjons to break on goal, and a slipped pass as Rob Foxall-Smith came out to close the angle left an easy tap in.
Marjon continued to apply further pressure and a well struck shot from the top right of the circle levelled the scores.
As full time approached Marjon's secured a string of short corners with Rob Foxall Smith making two great double saves to keep the score at 2-2.
Overall a draw was probably a fair result with heatstroke looking like a good excuse for the second half not quite living up to the promise of the first!