Match Report by Tron:
Boots returned to winning ways this Sunday as Man of the Match Luke’s first half hat-trick and a fourth goal from Chibbert put the game beyond West Bridgford Albion. Boots started with Phil in goal and a back four of Croz, Subo and Chris in the middle and Daz on the right. The midfield trio of Chibbert, Ian and Si were supported by Griff and Ash on the wings and Luke was the lone striker.
Boots started the strongest keeping West Bridgford under pressure and causing errors from the opposition. The scoring was opened when Ash’s inswinging corner was turned in by Luke, and the second closely followed; it was the pressing of Boots that caused this as Ash and Chibbert on the wing caused an error, and Chibs crossed for Luke to finish his second. The defence and midfield were snapping at the heels of West Bridgford and limited them to a few chances, although when called upon Phil was down smartly to push the ball away. Luke completed his hat-trick following good work again down the right; Daz played the ball down the line for Ash, who picked out Chibbert bombing forward. He laid it through to Luke, who on the second attempt (following a good save) swept the ball into the net.
W.B.A started to get back in the game, mainly through Boots taking their foot off the pedal and starting to be a bit sloppy, but Horlicks and Subo marshalled the defence well in the centre and cleared up all issues supported by Daz and Croz on the sides and Ian and Si in midfield. With the half time whistle close, Boots added a fourth as the marauding Daz ended up on the left wing, and crossed the ball for Chibbert to finish.
The second half was a more even contest which actually saw W.B.A go ‘on top’ and Boots looking to catch the opposition on the break. W.B.A had two clear chances both well saved by Phil from their towering forward, the first when the stiker was through on goal and the second from a free kick. However, Boots were still dangerous, especially from corners as Ash, Griff and Croz all produced good balls that caused panic in the box. Substitutions were made to put on ‘fresh’ legs, definitely in Bally’s case as he swapped with Chibbert, and debatable in Spence’s case as he came on for Ian.
Spence had two chances late on to make the win more comfortable, one a header from a free kick and the second following a long kick from Phil but the opposing keeper was able to block the sliding volley. There was just enough time for W.B.A to score a consolation goal to cruelly take our clean sheet. A cross from the left fell to their striker whose shot was blocked, and it bobbled and bounced in slow motion across the 6 yard box. It looked like an easy and boring pick up for Phil so instead of walking across, he felt the need to try and swim across the thin air and mud (ok, he fell and tried to scramble across) but the striker beat him to it and poked the ball into the net.
Overall it was a good performance and win, the hassling and pressure that was put on the opposition by the midfield, Chibs bombing forward and Luke’s movement in the first half made it. It saw them make mistakes and then we were clinical with our finishing. In the second half we did enough and saw the game out. However, we shouldn’t underestimate the opposition next week (we are playing them again), as on chances it was probably quite even, and the second half showed it was an equal affair.
