Well the SE7 derby turned out a very entertaining affair between MVP and their ground sharing opponents. It ended honours even. However, MVP will rue the missed opportunity to take all three points of a very much improved ropes outfit…onto the action

From the “get go” both sides fully committed into what was a game played at breakneck speed. Despite MVP’s on field intensity it was Ropes who had the first real opportunity when their right midfielder lobbed over the bar from some 7 yards out. This early scare didn’t deter the home side and they put Ropes under some serious pressure. N Ward, Elms, and Minnott all causing much concern to the Ropes keeper who was having at this stage a very busy period between the sticks. We were particularly impressive down the right hand side with the combination of Ward and A Brown creating inroads into Ropes territory. Elms, Shelton, and G Brown were winning the midfield battle. As the teams came in goalless there was no doubt that the sky blues were very much on top.

HT MVP 0 ROPES 0

MVP took the field in the second half and set about their opponents as per the first half. We continued to be the better side and soon got our reward when skipper Elms finished superbly from 20 yards with a low curling shot into the corner. Indeed the home skipper seemed to be at the epi centre of most of the excellent play on show at the Stade MVP from the home sides perspective. But rather painfully our well earned lead was to only last three minutes. When an innocuous ball into the box wasn’t cleared and it fell at the feet of Ropes’s right winger who slotted low to Ashton’s right.

Both sides continued gamely on as the second half seemed to whizz by and there where no more real chances of note, but with the exception of a stinger if a drive by G Brown which the keeper tipped over the bar. There was to be a late moment of drama when late sub Hawkins was red carded for an off the ball incident which to all intent and purposes seemed reasonably low key. However sufficiently bad enough to warrant a dismissal. MVP met this head in though and a few tatical tweeks kept us solid. We held firm to take a very well deserved point.

FT MVP 1 Ropes 1

Great result for the lads against a vastly improved Bridon Ropes team. We can count ourselves very unlucky not to of come away with all 3 points which would of been reward for the very hardworking display the lads put in.

Up next MVP face Forest Hill Park away this Saturday 23/4/16. Match details online shortly.