FC Pollard 2 Lapton 3

A MAKESHIFT eleven for Bethnal Green’s FC Pollard narrowly lost to league leaders Lapton after conceding a cruel late winner, writes Laura Oliver.

The underdogs took the lead after half an hour of action dominated by the black and blues of Lapton. Against the run of play, Pollards’ striker Del McAvoy broke to go one on one with the keeper, casually slipping the ball past him into the net.

But their celebrations were short lived after a free kick on the edge of the area gave Lapton the equaliser. A curling shot from the impressive Salvador left Pollard's wall and their second choice keeper stranded.

After half-time Lapton came out with renewed strength and quickly grabbed the lead with another Salvador strike.

Trailing 2-1, Pollard threw everyone forward. After a period of sustained pressure they were denied an equaliser after a thundering shot from McAvoy rattled the crossbar and a penalty claim was turned down.

Another one on one promised a Pollard goal, but a poor touch from Dave Delaney in the box saw his shot go straight at the keeper. The frustrated Delaney quickly made amends when he made it 2-2 from a short corner.

It was not to be Pollard’s day, as Lapton’s league topping form shone through in the dying seconds with a headed winner from a corner.

Pollard's manager, Ken Bartel, said squad injuries and attitude had a big part to play in their defeat. “We had our second choice goalkeeper playing and this is the third game he’s cost us in a row,” he said. “We can put out a decent team, so long as the boys bother to turn up.

“But it was a very close game especially as it was our first in five weeks and the boys performed admirably,” he added. “We should have had another goal when we hit the bar. Football’s a cruel game.”