Tonight I made a journey of an hour along the coast towards Portsmouth and the King George V Sports Complex, home of Mob Albion of the Hampshire League Division 1.

The King George V Sports Complex boasts a modern 3G pitch, with a standing area, as well as the adjacent sports centre with refreshment and changing facilities. I had to register and set up a QR code to gain access but as I wasn’t charged entry I couldn’t complain!

Mob Albion FC , who play in a light green kit with white trim, were formed by a group of players wanting to reconnect after the Corona Virus Lockdown in 2020 and are currently managed by Steve Ellis. Mob Albion finished thirteenth out of 14 teams last season, in Division 1, but having won their opening league game 3-2 against Sporting Wessex last Saturday, with goals from Josh King, Zak Kent and Tom Webber, they will have high hopes of doing well this season.

Today’s visitors, Headley United, lost their opening league 2-0 to Whiteley Wanderers last Saturday, so manager Carl Davies will have come into today’s game looking for his players to prove a point.

The first half was dour, albeit hard fought, and saw much of the possession with Headley United, without many true chances being created.

Neither keeper needed to make a decent save and as the half time whistle blew under the lights, both sides left the pitch knowing whoever broke the deadlock tonight would have a good chance of sneaking all three points.

Headley United came out with renewed energy and scored the first goal after the break with the ball being forced over the line after a corner. After some deliberation Louis Davies was given the goal.

With 61 minutes on the clock the score was 0-2 to the visitors. Headley United’s Max Impiazzi cleverly finishing, when one on one with the opposition keeper, to put the visitors into a clear two goal lead.

With thirteen minutes left and totally against the balance of play Mob Albion FC pulled a goal back. A corner saw the ball fall, after an uncharacteristic fumble by the Headley United keeper, to Taylor Keens who fired it into the net, inspiring a frantic finale to the game as the home side threw everything to try and secure an equaliser.

As the final whistle blew the 35 people in attendance were in no doubt they had been entertained and that they had seen both sides throw everything they had into this match. Headley United’s Number deserved the three points to open their season’s account but Mob Albion FC showed they have resilience and fight in reserve!