In a game we knew would be a bigger test than usual, not just because we knew PFA attracted great talent and had only, like us, lost one this season, but also because we were missing Ford and Freddie. From the off we knew we would have to work to get the win and we did.
Will showed power and pace to start the scoring just one minute in with a neat finish. The Bulldogs won the ball back straight from kick off and scored again in the second minute via a toe from Tyler, who added a third and his second with a classy sweep into the net from a PFA throw.
Shots from the Bulldogs kept coming with a long range finish from Liam after a trademark Tommy tackle fell to him just past half way. Two thumping shots from Will saved well by the PFA keeper and shots from Tyler and Tommy sailing wide or hitting the side netting. However PFA began to find their stride and the boys would be punished for it.
First Tyler was harshly pulled up on a soft challenge and PFA smashed home the awarded penalty. Then a lapse in concentration when Tommy played the ball back inside to a waiting PFA player to slot home their second soon after. The lads looked dazed and from their own kick off lost possession and PFA struck again for a third goal in as many minutes. The Bulldogs needed to get their bite back!
The resurgence came from a great piece of solo play from Liam. First winning a great challenge, getting back to his feet then dribbling into the opposition half and tapping in Boothstowns fifth. Will would have had another from a great strike had it not been for an amazing PFA save.
Boothstown kicked on and Will, Tyler and Liam all looked dangerous. Persistence from Liam after a goal line scramble saw him grab another, Tyler smashed one in from the wide right and Will got a tap in on the line. 8 goals from Bulldogs in 15 minutes but a number of great saves from Aidan kept us in the lead as we could have been going in level.
Second period, Tom came on for Tommy and made an instant impact. Firstly Aidan made another important save, the ball went from our box to theirs and we won a corner, which Tom curled in and the keeper tipped into his own net. Tom then turned provider with a great challenge which fell to Liam for another goal, taking our tally to 10.
The enslaught continued and Tom showed some real class with a nice outside of the foot slide of the ball followed with a thumping toe into the top of the net. More pressure from Tyler and Will followed but PFA keeper matched their quality with some amazing saves.
A lapse in concentration at the back saw PFA pull a few goals back with a 4 minute phase of play which saw them bombard Aiden who made a few reaction stops but found himself picking the ball out of the net three times in four minutes.
It was time to go back to basics in the third period with Tommy coming back on to provide some protection at the back. He made an important tackle which trickled to Will who hit one which ricochet back to him and he managed to lift it second time over everyone to lob the keeper on 31 minutes to score a contender for goal of the game... That was until Bulldogs won a free kick edge of the box, which Liam thundered into the top corner for another amazing contender for best goal.
Some end to end play followed with both keepers being called into action. A period which felt like forever passed without a goal, until Tyler, who had just come back on for Liam, made a great tackle, weaved past two and calmly slotted the last goal of the game past the PFA goalie who will probably feel hard done to after som amazing saves.
Hard to pick a stand out performance or goal as all the boys contributed to an unbelievable win. Hard to believe we were missing Ford and Freddie for this game and makes you wonder what a full strength team could do if we continue this form.
Up The Bulldogs!
