After a tough defeat the previous week, the Pinewood Pythons came into their clash with the Priestwood Vale Raptors looking to bounce back — and from the opening whistle it was clear the game would be tightly contested.

The breakthrough came late in the second quarter. A precise long ball out from the Pythons’ defensive third released Riley, who kept his composure and calmly slotted the ball low past the keeper’s right-hand side to make it 1–0.

What followed was over 20 minutes of end-to-end football. The Raptors edged possession and pressed high up the pitch, but the Pythons always looked dangerous on the counter. Between the sticks, Leo Andrade was outstanding, diving bravely to smother every loose ball and keeping the Raptors frustrated. When even Leo was beaten, the crossbar came to the Pythons’ rescue to preserve the lead.

The decisive moment came late in the fourth quarter. After soaking up heavy pressure, the Pythons were undone by a scrappy counter from the Raptors. The initial shot was blocked, but chaos followed in the box and, cruelly, a deflection off a Python defender trickled over the line for the equaliser.

A 1–1 draw was probably a fair reflection of the balance of play, but the Pythons were left disappointed not to claim all three points after holding the lead for so long.

Man of the Match: Oliver Fisher — clean sheet for Q1 in goal and then a tireless and constant presence in the outfield. Unlucky not to score.