Coping with the burden of being such favourites (even though we were playing the reigning champs) could have led to some lesser footballers letting this affect their game. But not Team Alex – instead we showed our class and stood strong in the face of a potentially tough challenge. We can all proud that we did ourselves justice and proved that this season the Alex mean business!
With ground and weather conditions near perfect and a brand new kit to suit expectations were soaring when the team ran onto the pitch with a near capacity crowd filling the venue (mainly sunbathers but they all count!). An excellent decision by Captain Matt Wood at kick off meant that the Alex had the advantage of attacking down the slope with the sun beaming into the Sloane’s eyes – and the Alex made the most of it as the early stages of the match were aggressive, hard fought and almost competitive as Team Alex set up camp in Sloane’s half.
The Alex looked solid all over the park, the defence made up of Fordy, Rup, Beefy and Ben looked like they had played together for years sweeping up any danger with aplomb. The midfield of Stroudy, Dave on the wings and Alcott and Daisy in the centre were energetic, tenacious and skilful whilst Woody and Mantell were hunting down everything upfront and getting their just rewards.
However, from all their possession and dominance the Alex were finding it hard to create a clear goal scoring chance – there was one half chance in the 12th minute for Woody when he hit a low shot which the goalie just managed to keep out but then it came – the breakthrough. The Alex won a corner which was headed out to Daisy on the edge of the box and with the Sloane defence running out, Daisy, with a deft pass found Alcott who had made a darting run in to the box. His shot was handled and the ref blew – Alex penalty! James ‘cool as cucumber’ Allcott stood up (or was it Rup – they were both wearing number 6!) and slotted it neatly in to the side netting, 1-0.
The goal rattled Sloane and the Alex continued to push on; stand in keeper Riley was a bystander for most of the 1st half however like all good ‘goalkeepers’ his reflexes were in fine form when he tipped over a rasping free kick. At this point Sloane should have gone home as unbeknown to them this was as good as it got all afternoon for them! It was a fantastic 1st half display from the Alex with the only sour note being when Mantell hobbled off with a…....hangover. We all wish you a speedy recovery!
Half time came and went as the Alex were keen to finish what they had started and they began the 2nd half just like the 1st - in scintillating form. The Alex full backs Fordy and Ben were fantastic all match supporting the wingers at every opportunity – not that Stroudy, Dave and John, Rich when they came on ever really needed it as was the sheer dominance of the Alex. It must be noted that, Stroudy was workmanlike all match and although unable to score on the pitch is always likely to score off it!
On the the 65th minute the game was all but over, a near clash of heads between Daisy and John worked out to be an awesome pass for Allcott who threaded the ball through the eye of a needle to tee up Woody for his 3rd goal of the season – a drilled shot which the keeper could only get finger tips on. The team continued to work hard to starve Sloane of the ball, Beef and Rups constantly winning the ball back whilst marshalling the defence superbly. Upfront Andy was running the channels and helping create attacks – and at this point the work horse striker of Oli Miller appeared on the pitch – and within 5 minutes he was off celebrating. Beef showed a great touch and excellent vision to pick out Miller who scored a delightful goal that the Sloane keeper had no chance with.
The last notable moment of the game was not the rare attack that the Alex defence did brilliantly in stopping (clean sheet bonuses in the post chaps) but an outrageous attempt of a free kick from Allcott. The less said the better but the conclusion at the final whistle was that we all thought “what the hell were you thinking!”
Special mention to James Wardle who (although did not play any part in the game) supported the team throughout and we are all looking forward to you being back out on the pitch soon.
Simply put: Venimus, Vidimus, Vicimus (We came, We saw, We conquered)
