The Reds started the morning with an impressive performance against a tough tackling Saracens side. The boys played some sparkling football that had the Rovers fans in awe of the passing and movement.
The game started brightly for the Reds with the boys winning a throw in deep in the Saracens half in the first minute. From the resultant throw, a headed clearance was met by an on rushing James. His long range effort whistled passed the outside of the top corner of the Saracens goal. The Timonators appetite for the spectacular had begun and was to be fulfilled later in the game.
Moments later Archie and James wrestled the ball from the Saracens midfield and set Joe Perry free on the left. Moving forward and looking up, Joe cut the ball back into the Saracens area where Harry Benton eased the ball onto Jake. Jake's shot went just wide of the on rushing goalkeeper and the outside of the Saracens upright.
Saracens worked the ball to the edge of the Reds area but any danger was snuffed out by James who stole the ball and dribbled the full length of the pitch before seeing his shot parried by the Saracens goalkeeper. From the rebound, Archie snatched a shot that passed the outside of the Saracens upright.
A well worked move starting with Joe Perry and involving passes to Harry Benton and Archie before arriving with Jake at the left edge of the area, led to Jake's attempted shot going passed the outside of the Saracens post again.
Surely a goal would result from all of the pressure, and sure enough it did. Archie won the ball in the Rovers half and passed a lovely ball through to Jake on the left. Jake sprinted after the ball and his first touch with the outside of his right foot kept the ball in play. His next touch smashed the ball into the back of the Saracens net. Unfortunately the Saracens supports behind the goal had indicated to the referree that the ball had gone out for a goal kick which the referree understandably agreed to as the bright sunshine had obscured his view. The Saracens goalkeeper had thought that it was in and kicked the ball back to the halfway line for a kick off.
The Reds heads did not go down and moments later a lovely one-two between Joe Perry and Jake sent Jake free down the left. Unfortunately Jake was not able to get the required power on the shot and the Saracens keeper saved comfortably.
From the goal kick, Jake won the ball and slotted a pass through to Harry Benton that saw Harry free on goal. Harry rifled a shot that rocketed passed the top corner of the goal.
The game started to get physical so Harvey was introduced to the midfield with Joe Perry making way.
The Rovers fans were getting nervous that this just wasn't going to be their day. Fortunately the boys had more faith, and from a Rovers throw, James won the ball and played it towards Harry Benton at the edge of the Saracens area. Harry turned instantly and blasted in a shot that could only be parried by the Saracens goalkeeper. Fortunately Jake was the most alert person in the area and pounced on the rebound, knocking it into the back of the net.
Soon afterwards, James won the ball in the Rovers half and passed a left footed pass up the wing to Jake. Jake collected the ball before sending a looping cross into the Saracens area where Harry Benton tried a spectacular scissors kick that was saved by the Saracens goalkeeper.
Moments later, following some ping pong in midfield, Archie stole away with the ball on the right and sprinted with the ball into the Saracens area. Archie unleashed a shot that flew into the side netting of the Saracens net.
From the goal kick, Archie won the ball and fed Harvey on the right. Harvey advanced down the right and crossed the ball into Harry Benton on the edge of the Saracens area. Harry's first touch was fantastic, taking him passed the Saracens defender. His next touch saw the ball fly into the back of the net for a cracker of a goal. Rovers had a 2-0 lead that they thoroughly deserved.
Joe Edwards entered the game follwoing an injury to Jake. Almost immediately afterwards, Archie won the ball from a Saracens throw in and passed the ball to Harvey. Harvey took one touch and passed the ball forwards to Joe Edwards on the left wing. Joe advanced to the edge of the Saracens area before cutting the ball back into the area for the on rushing Harry Benton. Harry hit the ball first time into the back of the net for his second goal of the morning and the teams third.
The second half saw the introduction of Harry D for the unsung hero Harry M who had stayed solidly in defence when all others had wanted to advance forward.
Almsot from the kick off, Joe Edwards won the ball on the right hand side and managed to get it back to Archie who saw his long range effort sail wide of the the Saracens upright.
Moments later the roles were reversed with Archie winning the ball in midfield and passing it forward to Joe Edwards on the edge of the Saracens area. Joe turned and fired a right footed shot passed the outside of the Saracens post.
From a Saracens mis kick the ball broke to Hary Benton on the left. Harry turned the Saracens defender inside out before crossing to Harvey on the penalty spot. Harvey nudged the ball forwards to Joe Edwards who saw his shot rebound off the knees of the Saracens goalkeeper. Archie then saw his shot from rebound cannon off the Saracens post. The ball was cleared by the Saracens defenders, but only as far as the on rushing James. James controlled the ball and balsted an unstoppable shot into the corner of the Saracens net. An absolute peach of a goal to make it 4-0 to the Reds.
Harry Benton made way for Tommy and almost instantly Tommy was involved. Tommy played a corner into Joe Edwards who saw his first time volley return to Tommy . Tommy crossed again and Archie nearly got on the end of the cross with his head - it would have been the first headed goal of the season. The ball was parried to Joe Edwards who saw his shot deflected wide of the Saracens goal.
Joe Edwards and Harvey made way for Edward and Harry Bradshaw - making his debut. We were then all treated to a Timonator special. Having tried the odd long shot and been unlucky against Lakeside Blues, James met a Saracens clearance just inside the Saracens half. His ferocious shot looped over the Saracens goalkeeper and into the back of the net. The goal was obviously spectacular and very much appreciated by Ibby in the Rovers goal.
With less than 5 minute to go, Tommy winning the ball on the edge of the Saracens area. His pass inside to Edward gave Ed the chance to fire a shot just wide of the Saracens upright.
Just before the end of the game, James sent another rocket into the side netting of the Saracens goal from the edge of the area.
The score ended 5 - 0 to the Reds and was thoroghly deserved. It was a hard fought match, but the Reds proved that they were able to battle when it counted. This was probably the best performance of the season so far and is hopefully an indication of things to come in the future.
