Cats claw back point in eight-goal thriller

Temple Fortune assistant manager Lee Fegan said it ‘hurt’ to see his side concede two goals in the last five minutes as they were eventually held to a point by Catford in a thrilling 4-4 draw.

MGBSFL Division Two:
Catford & Bromley 4 Temple Fortune 4
Sunday, 30 October, 2016

(match photos)

Seemingly coasting to a victory over the Division Two leaders, Fortune, who had earlier in the match led 1-0 and 3-1, threw away a 4-2 lead, leaving Fegan to reflect on what could have been.

He said: “We played very well for large parts of the game and looked very much in control, but unfortunately we just didn’t capitalise on the clear-cut chances we created which has come back to haunt us over Halloween. It hurts but there are positives we can take away from the game.

“Catford had only conceded four goals prior to our match and we scored the same amount in one game and should have been more.”

Jordan Sharifia’s double, along with second half strikes from Brett Stead and Rob Jay seemed to have earned them the points, but a hat-trick from Catford player-manager Jeff Gotch, coupled with Danny Yeshua’s last-gasp equaliser, frustrated Fortune.

Fegan said: “We are a newly formed team and every game that we play, we learn more and more about ourselves. We certainly deserved the lead and should have shut up shop, but credit to Catford for pushing us back and getting a point out of the game.”

Manager Simon Linden, who wasn’t at the game, admitted he was ‘gutted’ when he heard how the game panned out, but was more positive on the start his side have made to the season. He said: “I think it’s been a good start to the season on the whole. We’ve only lost one from six and the fixtures haven’t been that kind. I’m confident there is a lot more to come from us. If you look at both the RCUK and Catford games, we have unfortunately let a two-goal lead slip twice against two title challengers – we could be sitting at the top of the pack.”

Looking ahead to what his side can achieve this season, he said: “It’s a completely new look Fortune. The main goal this season was to push the club forward and become more competitive. We’re certainly proving to be a match for anyone but it really is early days, we’re more than capable of going on a run and challenging for a promotion spot.
Catford player-manager Gotch said: “I’m pleased with how we responded and how we finished, though not so pleased with how we performed in the first 70 minutes, but I take a lot of positives out of game.

“It wasn’t our best performance and credit to Fortune, they looked a decent team but four wins, one draw and one defeat is a great start. Trust me, we will be fighting till the end, I can promise that!”