It was an opening day victory for The Clems on a hot September morning in sunny Witham, as goals from Rush, J Dale and debutants Ansell and Winger saw off a poor standard of opposition. Gaffa, Ad Dale kept goal behind a back four of Chittock, Stammers, Tom Wright and Bigland, with Darren Ince, Jon Wright, newcomer Ansell and Hopson making up the midfield with Rush & Jay Dale up top. Another new Clem, Mark Winger and the semi retired Joughin warmed the bench with injured skipper Ryan Ince, saturdays last minute winning goal scorer De vito and Mr Huxley spotted in the crowd.
The heat was definatly an issue for both sides with the previous nights intoxicants ouzing out of the pours of many in double quick time, but despite a slow start to the match, it was clear from the off that Boreham had too much for their opponents and had one or two been a little more clinical in front of goal we might well have been celebrating a double figures win.
As it was the deadlock was broken on around 20 minutes when very good work down the left from the impressive MOM Hopson created a gimme for Rush from 12 yards out. Rush finished confidently and the Clems were on their way. Further chances fell, mostly to the feet of the lively Jay Dale, but the spritley foward was uncharacteristicaly snatching at his chances, screwing a couple one on ones well wide of the target. However, as with Mr De Vito the previous day, if at first you don't succeed, try and try again...and Dale's moment came on the half hour mark with a cute drop of the shoulder to turn his marker before a well hit well placed strike into the bottom corner from 20 yards, 2-0. With the water supplies running low, Joughin made himself semi useful and returned to the clubhouse to replenish stocks for half time and returned just in time to see the promising debutant midfielder Paul Ansell finish well from the edge of the area past the hapless Bridge Street keeper for 3 zip at the break.
With the game comfortably won and players tiring in the warm weather, muliple changes broke up the rythm in the second period. Half time substitute Mark Winger playing at left back scored the only goal of the half after some unselfish play from Jay Dale for 4-0 with just over half hour remaining. Joughin replaced Rush for the last 20 but couldn't work out which leg was which and spent more time falling over his own arse than anything else and no further goals were scored with guilt edged chances fluffed by Darren Ince and Bigland clean through twice with only the corner flag threatened on both occasions.
All in all it was a satisfactory performance and result to begin the league campaign with Bridge Street failing to register a meaningful attempt on goal throughout. Stammers and Tom Wright were always in control at the back with Jon Wright looking energetic and solid in his new midfield role alongside the strong and composed Ansell. Gaffa Dale will have the fowards in training early for extra shooting practice this week as he knows his side will face stiffer opposition as the season goes on and better sides would punish the poor chance conversion rate, but maximum points and a clean sheet sets the Clems up nicely for next weeks home game against last season's cup winners and bogie side Crondon Hall Stars...Stammers, mark Phil Wheaton for us would you mate?
