After the disappointment of the 13/14 season, the shortage of numbers in the squad was a concern for the travelling fans at a warm and sunny Regents Park for the first game of the 14/15 season. However, some quality signings had been made in the August transfer window and the first XI had a very strong look to it. Mantell was back from his cosmetic surgery, Harris and Tuttlebee were the deadline day signings. All three were put straight into the starting team.
The game started brightly but neither team was able to gain control of the match. Ladzio were showing to be very comfortable in possession of the ball and despite it being their first game in the Premiership for two years, were showing to be a real test.
The deadlock was broken though in the 20th minute when a cross from the right fell to Goodman. A tight turn saw him find enough room for a tame shot. The keeper, still napping, got a weak hand onto it but the ball found the roof of the net.
This sparked the Ladz and they were finding success from set pieces. A spell of pressure eventually reaped rewards in the 30th minute when a corner was fired into the near post. After a goal-mouth scramble of epic proportions, the ball trickled between legs and into the goal. The Ladz were level.
Ladzio seemed to grow in confidence and continued to bombard the back line of Alex with crosses and set-pieces. However they held strong and managed to shut out the opposition with Gandy, still struggling with a bizarre kicking injury, making some good saves.
Slightly against the run of play, Jamie found space on the right and timed a lovely through ball to the feet of Goodman. The angle was against him, but luckily the goalkeeper was in a generous mood and couldn't hold onto a low-shot. Replays showed the keeper actually deflected the ball, probably trickling wide, into the net. Thankfully for Goodman, the dubious goals panel has awarded him the goal. (That, and the fact he's writing the match report).
Half time saw a change of fortune for both teams. Ladzio were struggling to find the space they managed in the her first half and Alex were finally getting the ball down and playing some lovely football. The Ladzio players couldn't cope.
Alex finally got the third goal they deserved. Some lovely interplay on the right allowed Jamie to play a through-ball over the defence. Goodman bringing it down in his chest and lobbing the oncoming goalkeeper.
Ladzio seemed to drop their heads further, and some more great play from the Alex midfield created further chances and were unlucky not to extend their lead, twice hitting the post.
Alex's fourth goal came from the unlikeliest of scorers. Will's marauding run from left-back saw him take on two defenders and pure determination forced the opportunity to score from close range. 4-1 and game over.
Not long after, the cameras were in full use as Captain Alcott saved the best till last. A lovely chipped cross from Harris found Alcott in space at the edge of the penalty area. He couldn't believe the space and time he had. Alcott rolled the ball forward with his studs before curling the ball into the top left corner. The goalkeeper had no chance. Alcott is available for all media enquiries relating to the early goal of the season contender.
A freak injury to their replacement goalkeeper ( a change at half time wasn't the biggest of surprises) meant a large delay to the game.. The restart was scrappy and a difficult watch. Ladzio probably had the best of the last 10mins. There was time for Gandy to make a world-class save and the Alex goalposts were blessed with luck but the hard work had already been done. 3 points in a tough away game on the first game of the season was exactly what last years runners-up needed and thoroughly deserved.
Goals:
Goodman (3)
Sanders
Alcott
MOM: Goodman.
