Following their great run of form lately, winning six games in a row and netting 13 goals in the last three games, it was clear that this was a big disappointment to both the lads in the squad and those who went to support them.

Ryan O’Sullivan was in goal, behind a back four comprising Ollie McAleese and Rob Parrott as the centre backs and Charlie Welch and Jack Sherwood as the right and left backs respectively. In front of them were Conor Stillwell and Deji Adeosun in the middle with James Mansfield in the number 10 position. Will May was in the number 9 shirt with Elroy Wealthyland and Deji Alabi as the wide players. So the bench comprised Jonny Miller, Cameron Edwin, Mark Soares, Alex Afful and Malik Shittu. Presumably after a fantastic effort on Tuesday it was thought an opportunity to give a start to those who have not had so many starts recently. James Mariner was at the venue, but not in the squad.

The first fifteen minutes saw the Gs with the majority of the possession and territory. Then, the play went up to the other end and the home side were awarded a corner on their left. It was played to the far post, where a Copthorne player was on hand to head down and home from an acute angle, despite the efforts of Ollie McAleese on the goal line, the linesman signalled that the ball had crossed the line.

The Gs went behind in the opening minutes on Tuesday night, before coming back scoring four goals to record a terrific win. So, no big deal. The Gs would come back again wouldn’t they?

At the other end of the pitch Deji Alabi hit a stinging shot from the edge of the goal area that was just not sufficiently wide of the home keeper to beat him.

We saw a few Gs attacks fail under the raising of the lino’s flag.

Ollie, wearing the Captain’s armband, was then given a yellow card for what was a pretty innocuous challenge for me.

Three or four players were on the floor inside the Gs penalty area and it looked like a Gs foot had cleared the ball. But the Referee blew for a penalty. The taker took a very slow run-up, but it did not fool Ryan who got down well to his right to push the ball around for a corner. A brilliant save and it seemed to enliven the rest of the squad.

Deji Alabi hit another screamer that just missed the upright. The Gs then had a shout for a penalty but the Referee was not convinced

Charlie Welch went down the right flank and delivered a great cross to the far post, where Elroy headed down and on target , but the home keeper just about managed to scramble the ball away.

 A huge shout for a penalty when Deji Alabi went through one on one with the keeper, only to be taken down by the keeper, who did not even make contact with the ball. But, again the Referee was not having it. Much to the disbelief of the Gs Management and supporters.

Will May made some good inroads into the home defence, down the left flank but no final shot was created after much good stuff in the build up.

1 -0 down at half time. Very little pressure from the home side, apart from the goal that they scored and the penalty attempt that was saved. Several big decisions from the ref did not go our way, but there was still time to take all three points.

At the start of the second half Deji Alabi worked his way into a shooting position, but this time did not hit the ball as cleanly as he would have liked, making it an easy capture.

James Mansfield seemed to get sandwiched by two Copthorne defenders just on the edge of the box but again the referee waived it away.

Malik Shittu came on to replace Charlie Welch and immediately was able to use his pace in attack.

Deji Alabi was having a great time on the right side and delivered a great ball across the face of the goal but Will could just not get his foot to it.

Then within moments there was another chance with Deji on the right again, but this time he decided to cut in and make his way across the pitch, when he let fly with a great left footed shot that curled beautifully inside the far post, to finally level the score, with time still left on the massive clock on the digital scoreboard.

Deji again was having the time of his life on the right, but there was no one in the box to benefit from his deliveries.

Deji Adeosun was also having a great game dominating the midfield alongside Conor. Great to see Conor looking back to fitness.

Jonny Miller replaced Elroy Wealthyland. Then Deji Alabi was replaced having had a great game and scored his first goal for the Gs.

Cameron came on for James Mansfield having been stood on the side line for some time. Yellow card for the home number 4 for a challenge on Will May.

The Gs were now battering the home defence and they were defending in numbers in fact all eleven players in their own penalty area at times.

Malik was taking over from Deji in getting down the right side and pulling the ball across into the 6 yard box. Will May tantalisingly close to making contact.  With the clock running down the Gs saw Rob Parrott head over from a great Mark Soares free kick.

Then another chance for the Gs as Will May was through and one on one with the keeper rushing out. The keeper just managed to block Will’s shot with his body. Then the Home number 6 went in the referees book as well

Shortly after the Copthorne keeper was also booked presumably for dissent. Does the sin bin not apply to Goalies?

Mark Soares was showing his class, linking well and driving good passes through the gaps in the defence as well as getting himself into some great shooting positions, but his shots were either blocked or cleared as the home side clung on.

 Then after the final whistle the home side made a great break from defence and looked like they might take all the points but Malik used his pace and cleared up before the man in the middle signalled full time.

Two points lost without a doubt but we cannot dwell on that. Just get up for the next one.

COYGs