It was a disappointing start for Hardly Athletic as they went down by a single goal in the opening game of the new season.
Athletic were up against PSV Hangover and, after a late call up for Matthew Carter, in for the unavailable Martin Fryer, started well chasing down everything whilst the lack of chemistry between the players was there to see as gaps were left at the back and, bar the keeper Joe Gordon, there was little, if any, talking between the men on the pitch.
The opening goal didn't arrive until just before half time when, with the defence outnumbered, the opponents were able to pick out the corner of the net and beat the inspired Gordon.
Gordon had kept the game level up until then and he remained on form afterwards saving twice more before half time.
The half time break seemed to galvanise the team and immediately after the break they were level as Chris Cope intercepted a pass and went through on goal before hammering the ball past the keeper and into the net.
Athletic were now looking like the better team but fell behind again as a Dan Buxton pass was intercepted and the attacker took the opportunity given to him to leave Gordon no chance in goal.
After a short rest the influential pairing of Matthew Peart and Chris Cope returned for the last five minutes and the decision to rest them immediately paid off as Cope beat a man on the wing and struck the ball past the keeper to once again level the scores up.
Athletic were now looking for a winner but were handed a sickening late blow as an intercepted free kick was played to an unmarked forward who rolled the ball past Gordon to seal the game.
The players afterwards commented on how the strange conditions and how light the ball is was hard to adapt to and in the next few weeks the team will hopefully be able to gel and start picking up wins.
Next week see's Athletic take on another side who lost today as we meet Allstars, 7.05pm ko, hoping to get our season off the mark.