It was Deja vu as Bishops slammed 5 past Chadwick for the second week running on the day that autumn finally found it's way to Warwickshire. The rain was incessant for most of the first half and the wind played it's part especially in the second half
With Adam Trinder injured and Faulkner reverting to managerial duties, it was a welcome return for John Beacham making his first start of the season in midfield and Giggles came in at the back after a couple of weeks out injured. On the bench Etheridge laced up his boots for the first time this year and Cooper continued his return along with stalwarts Mann and Wallsgrove. Also in attendance was Simon Peacey who was seen kicking a ball in anger and limbering up for the first time since pre season
Bishops took hold of the game in the first half, battling well and proving a match for their physically larger opponents. The Chadwick keeper made a good save from Trinder and also did well when lobbed by Jordan to make his way back to goal and claw it over. When he was beaten by Matt Trinder the crossbar saved him, but his luck didn't hold out for too long. A short corner between Benno and Trinder led to the striker swinging in a cross from the left and Giggles hooked home a volley into the bottom corner1-0!. As is the tradition with goals from this man, there was limited applause and some disappointment amongst home fans. However the lead was short lived and after Maltby had cleared off the line the same Chadwick player had a second bite of the cherry and thrashed it past Maltby and Seb on the line 1-1! The lead was restored before half time when Maltby's raking pass was taken in stride by Jordan and his unerring finish found the bottom corner for 2-1! Noted referee Grant Stanley said at half time that it was goal that " would grace any level of football" high praise indeed!
As the players started the second half it was noticeable that the wind had turned and was now belting at high speed down the hill towards Denny and his sheep. After one free kick from Seb bounced high in front of the keeper, a new tactic was devised...shoot from everywhere! With the wind and skid off the surface anything hitting the deck before the keeper was causing him trouble and when Seb's free kick was glanced goalwards of Jordan's head he was helpless as it rocketed home for 3-1! Nathan Carro then tested the keeper with some long range clearances from his own box before a free kick from Seb 10 yards into his own half was too hot for the keeper and were 4-1! up. Unfortunatley he forgot his planned celebration of running to the eco area and taking a trimmer to the hedge, maybe next time. Instead we had to make do with grunts of delight from the Garymodo on the touchline. Jordan got another wind assisted goal when his cross caught out the luckless keeper and the little man had another hat trick to his name 5-1! Chadwick got one back with a really well taken goal from their striker who skipped past a couple of challenges and then Nathan before tapping in 5-2!
So through to the semi's we go and although the draw looks favourable we have to respect the opposition and continue to play at the level we're currently at.
Good performances all over the park, notably a strong return from Beach and another fine display up top by Jordan
