"Police again show fighting spirit to snatch a point"

The Police, despite missing an 80th minute penalty, again showed their recent upturn in performance to fight back to gain a point at high-flying Fairfield Villa with an 83rd minute equaliser from Dan Jarratt.

Changes to the team line up were made as per usual with a completely changed back-line. Lee returned to centre half alongside Thompson with Harvey back after his ban, and Griffiths filling in at right back. O'Sullivan partnered Berry in midfield with Wood and Wakeley on the flanks. Jarratt returned after missing Saturday's game with the lame excuse of his grandmother's 80th birthday!

The home side got off to a great start when following indecision in the back four a corner was conceded. Williams flapped at it and the No 7 turned in the box and found the top corner.

The home side were making all of the running - in particular Dainter - was finding acres of space in the middle of the park. Williams had to pull off several good saves - although the poor officials were not helping matters. On one occasion the away keeper had both hands on the ball but it was kicked from his grasp. 'Play-on' signalled the referee!

Slowly, but surely, the Police managed to get a foothold in the game. Yet more poor officiating saw definite claims for a penalty waved away as Jarratt was felled in the box. A long ball from Lee was touched on by Smith and Jarratt somehow found the 'keeper instead of the net from 6 yards out. DJ also had a goal disallowed for off-side by the referee's assistant.

As usual harsh words were spoken at half time and this resulted in a much better second half display - largely due to better organisation at the back and the impressive Berry winning every ball in midfield from Fairfield's goal kicks.


Fairfield had claims for a penalty waved away when sloppy play from Harvey led to a good chance for the forward. Williams made a great initial save but the ball deflected towards Griffiths' hand and he managed to block it!

Lee put in one great challenge on 55 minutes where he won the ball cleanly - and as he cleared the ball into touch was distraught to hear the referee's whistle. To compound things further he received a yellow card for kicking the ball away.

A Jarratt free-kick went tamely back to the keeper and Williams had to be off his line smartly to save at the feet of the Fairfield forward on several occasions.

More inconsistent officiating was witnessed again when Hall was put through by Dainter. The Fairfield forward handled the ball - which the assistant didn't flag for - but luckily was seen by the referee who blew. As play continued Hall then not only kicked out at Lee, but aimed a punch at the Police centre back. The referee showed a yellow card. Moments later the same Fairfield player was signalled to have dived in the box by the referee who again chose to take no action.

The Police were pressing and on 80 minutes got their reward when Jarratt was upended in the box. If truth be told this was less of a penalty than the incident in the first half. However Fairfield need not have worried as Smith's tamely struck shot was easily saved by the keeper.

However the away side were not to be denied and following a good, passing move, the ball was played into the box and Jarratt finally got the goal his work-rate had deserved as he guided it past the keeper.

Fairfield pressed for a winning goal, but the Police managed to stand firm to secure a third game unbeaten and more importantly the third good, battling, performance. Add Fairfield to the list of the top sides we have played well against this season and it is a wonder how we languish in the bottom three. Maybe attitude has something to do with it - as well as not getting the same team out for any match? We have to rectify that in the Summer and for 07-08.