What was supposed to be our biggest test to date, turned out to be our highest scoring game as a team. With only Tom missing this week, Bulldogs turned up with 7 hungry players including Aidan and Will, who both started on the bench for the first 15.
From kick off, there were a flurry of shots from a sharp looking Liam. Rkix could have taken the lead Early on through a free kick, but a great diving save from Tommy denied them the first goal of the game.
Early danger from the Bulldogs saw Rkix making forced errors and it wasn't long until Boothstown made their mark through a Ford strike, slotting home from a few yards after a defensive error. Our second came soon after with Tyler putting in a decisive tackle which spilled to Freddie for a side foot finish on 9min. Rkix keeper showed too much of the ball to Ford and he picked up his second on the 10 minute mark.
Rkix weren't a walkover in the first 15 despite the score line. Just before the end of the first period Tommy had to make another reactive save to keep a clean sheet. Confidence began to build and we started to turn on the style. Ford with a naughty piece of skill on the left, skipping past one, pulling off a filthy Cruyff turn and winding past two more defenders to drive home. Unbelievable skill for a kid of his age. As the end of the first third approached Liam put in a great cross which Ford met with power and the ball took a final touch in off Freddie.
End of the first period and Bulldogs went in 5-0 up. Tommy's heroics in net were rewarded with a break as returning team keeper Aidan came on accompanied by returning top scorer Will for Tyler.
Bulldogs started the second period as they finished with real drive and aggression, Liam almost lobbed the keeper as an early shot crept wide. It wasn't long before he got another though as Will's physical presence showed with a big tackle, passing to Liam to slot home. The onslaught continued.
An on form Freddie showed no let up as he shot from range to see it just sail wide. He then turned provider as he passed into Ford who then skipped past a defender to confidently smash home on 19 minutes. Not to be outdone, Liam turned on the class with a neat drag back to turn the Rkix defence inside out and struck it well to get another.
Rkix got a second free kick in a dangerous position. Aidan matched it though with a confident stop. Playing the ball out to Freddie who took on the entire team smashed right at the keeper but made no mistake on the rebound to grab another. Then another from range a minute later. Followed by Liam who tackled, then made a goal for himself another minute after. A crazy 5 minute period then saw Freddie bag again, Will slot home from a Ford corner and the second period finished with finesse with an absolute screamer from that man Ford.
An excellent performance from Freddie as he made way for the final 15 for Tyler and Liam made way Tommy. Aidan fancied a run out, so Ford stepped up as the third keeper of the game.
Third period started as the previous two. Will hitting the bar with a vicious shot. Rkix brought on two extra players by this point to try and take our boys and it almost worked as they got through on goal, but Ford made a fantastic save. The ball ended up down the other end via a winding Tyler run, but bravery from yeh Rkix keeper as he came out to save brilliantly.
Aidan showed some uncharistic and new found aggression to make some strong challenges, one of which fell to Will on 37 minutes as he put another in the back of the net with real power.
Comedy gold moment of the game came from Tommy Renda. We all know he loves a tackle, but decided upon slipping on his backside, to use his face whilst grounded to take out an Rkix player. The resulting free kick saved like a pro by new keeper Ford on 40 minutes.
It seemed ages since we last scored, despite long range shots from Tommy, Liam, Will and a number of great runs from Tyler. Rkix continued to use numbers and won a number of corners, defended excellently by the lads, Tommy showing dominance and again using his head to clear the danger.
The game was almost at a close and it looked like the scoring was over however a tenacious Tyler continued to press made a great challenge and the ball fell into the path of Will to strike home our 16th and final goal of the game.
A great performance and lots of positive points to take. Had we taken all our chances we could have had 30 or more, but the lads did great and we hope to continue our winning run, however against more formidable opponents in the coming weeks.
