Almaty Athletic 3 Gliebenhagg 3

Almaty Athletic continued their unbeaten run so far this season but only earned a point as they drew 3-3 with Gliebenhagg FC. Despite the late kick-off time of 8pm the temperatures were still in the twenties. Mark “Mini” Dawson was a late withdrawal from the squad after he hurt his back the previous night in a "gardening incident"! Niall “Stopper” Murphy received a late call-up to fill the gap.

Almaty had a disastrous start and found themselves 3-0 down after 15 minutes. The first goal involved “Calamity” Sweetnam rushing out to clear only yer man nicked in blocked his clearance and shot. “Not so safe Safehands” managed to save the shot on the edge of the penalty area (well outside!) but the Hagg striker planted in the rebound. A long punt forward went over Spratt’s head who then failed to track the nippy striker who nipped as fast as a nipper and nipped past “Slow” Sweetnam to slotted home for the second. Spratt didn’t cover himself in glory for their third as he played a ball in field for the right and side straight to the oncoming Hagg midfielder (“The sun was blinded me!!!”). The Hagg player broker through and laid it off for his fellow player to finished neatly for their third. It could have been four but somehow the Gleibenhagg striker managed to scoop the ball over the bar from a cross when the goal was clear for him.


Jeremy "Safehands?" Sweetnam

Despite the scoreline Almaty were creating chances but were limited to long range efforts which unfortunately were all of target. Thankfully the players did not let their heads drop and the pressure finally paid off a minute before half-time. “Crouchy” Jeffers beat a player in the box and passed it across for Phil "Fabio" Smith to tap in. This goal was to prove vital to the Almaty comeback!


Phil & Dave Smith!

Almaty stepped up a gear in the second half and their applied pressure and the scorching sun began to take its toll on Gleibenhagg’s players. Mid-way through the second half Almaty got their second when a quick corner from Dave "Smith was played into Spratt’s feet at the edge of the box. He let the ball run past him and let fly with a low left foot shot. Thankfully Phil Smith was positioned on the line to neatly back-heel it into the goal. Minutes later Almaty should have equalised when Niall “Unbelievable Miss” Murphy somehow managed to hit the bar when the open goal beckoned. Almaty pulled it level thanks to “Crouchy” Jeffers who stretched out his left foot; made horrible contact but thankfully the ball rolled in!

All the hard work nearly came undone minutes later when Hagg’s danger man upfront let rip with a shot destined for top corner. However, “Safer than safe Safehands” Sweetnam redeemed himself for his earlier blunders with a glorious agile finger tip save. Almaty had the momentum though and with Niall “Stopper” Murphy intercepting every counter-attack the Hags attempted it looked as if they would find the winner but unfortunately that was not to be.