On a miserable day in SW4, Clapham Alexandra continued their remarkable form against last year’s champions Sloane FC, with an impressive 5 – 2 victory.
When 2nd plays 3rd the stakes are already high, but they were raised even higher when Sloane had an ill-advised attempt at pre-match mind games. High on last year’s success, Sloane boastfully Tweeted a picture of the league trophy, with the words “We have something you want.” How they must have regretted that after another impressive 90 minutes from The Alex.
In a match that resembled the Battle of The Somme more than a football match, The Alex kicked-off in their now familiar 4-5-1 formation with Rob operating just behind The Avatar. Conditions didn’t lend themselves to a slick passing game, but The Alex started brightly enough creating a few early chances. Matt Wood in particular looked sprightly from the start, clearly benefiting from the decision not to join other members of the team at a house party the night before. The breakthrough came courtesy of a typically devilish corner from Allcott, which Mantell managed to turn in after a bit of a panic in the Sloane defence. 1 – 0 to The Alex at half time.
The Battle of The Somme metaphor continued during the break, with the classy Goodman and Alex stalwart Templeman, both being forced off with injuries. The change in personal clearly disrupted the Alex and they came out slower in the second half. Sloane equalised shortly after the break with some poor decision making at the back gifting the opposition the chance. But this Alex team is made of sterner stuff and they quickly dusted themselves off and went about winning the game.
A lovely individual effort from the league’s top scorer, Matt Wood, quickly restored the lead and The Alex didn’t look back. A quick brace from Mantell made it 4 – 1 and gave the lanky striker his first hat-trick of the season. His typical late season surge of goals has clearly begun and he will have his eye on the golden boot. A 5th was added by a deserving Allcott who scored a neat goal after a cut back from Wood.
A comedy goal conceded at the other end didn’t take the shine of what was a hard earned 3 points for The Alex who looked solid throughout. And yes Sloane you do have something The Alex want, and on this form who’s to say that they won’t get it.
