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The SOL kicked off what could be the last season of representative football as the SOL with a hard fought draw against the London Legal League and with a bit more luck and a sharper eyed referee could and should have come away with the victory.

After having the first game of the season cancelled against the Financial League the SOL giving debuts to 5 new players got off to a flying start with a goal in the first minute through Michael Harris. Straight from the kick-off the SOL won the ball through Dalton-Brown and a long ball from Nash saw Harris through and he lobbed the hesitant Dawson with ease.

The game was a bit of a family affair as most of the Legal team were made up of Premier Division leaders UCL Academicals and this seemed to spur both teams on as some tough tackling led to the referee having to speak to a number of players.

After the early set back the Legal XI came back strongly and soon had the defensive trio of Hurd, Henry and Holt on the back foot and it needed a excellent point-blank reaction save from Mason to keep the score at 1-0.

The SOL found it tough going and struggled to find cohesive play; the introduction of Brian Brady seemed to do the job and the team began to put together some good moves with Concannon causing problems down the right hand side.

Just as it looked as though the SOL had weathered the storm the legal league drew level. As they pushed forward the SOL defence excellently marshalled by Hurd pushed up for the offside only to be undone by the unfortunate Concannon who had tracked back with his man and played Gillard on-side who went onto score with aplomb.

The second half again was a tight affair as the SOL began to gain the upper hand. With both sides playing with 3 centre-halves the SOL wing-backs Echevarria, Stevenson and later on Jones and Hausermann began to exploit the space on the flanks and delivered some quality crosses that the new strike force of Ramroop and Eguae just failed to convert.

The SOL continued to press forward and with 15 minutes left on the clock came the most controversial moment of the game; a great through ball from Brady saw Stevenson stride into the area and just as he looked to have pushed the ball too far he managed to nick it past the oncoming defender who could do nothing but bring him down. Everyone in the stadium waited for the penalty to be given only to stare in amazement as the referee waived play on. The incident took place no more than 20 yards from the both the referee and his assistant which made it all the more astounding that the penalty was not given.

A couple of chances came and went for both sides and the game ended as a draw. Everyone retired to the bar to enjoy the post match hospitality and discuss the penalty that never was!!

Cambridge University 0

Southern Olympian League 2

Click on the thumbnail below for pictures from the Cambridge University game.

Southern Olympian League 2

Southern Amateur League 1

Click on the thumbnail below for the lineup from the SAL game.