Alex Strike Goal-d!!!
The crowds made their way down to Clapham Common Arena on the 3rd April 2011, full of expectation for what was publicised as 'Samba Day'. All that can be said is that the Alex certainly didn't let anyone down on this joyous occasion!!
With a full squad of 16 converging on the field on a bright spring day, the scene was perfectly set for an enjoyable day of goals, flicks and showboating. The mood in the Alex camp was high prior to kick off and the crowds could tell that after last weeks performance, the Alex had some wrongs to right.
And the Alex couldn't have got off to a better start. As the Llama's took centre and immediately played a hopeful ball over the top, Lavery did well to climb high and head down to the Woodsman. Looking forward, the ball was played up to Griffiths who after turning and delaying the pass, found Woodsman beautifully with a well-crafted side foot pass, cutting through the heart of the Llama's defence. The Woodsman beat the covering centre half for pass and found himself bearing down on goal. With only the keeper to beat, the ball was duly slotted home and the Alex found themselves 1-0 up within the first sminute.
This goal provided the confidence and foundation for the Alex to express their Samba style upon the game - a style that did not yield all game.
Luscious interchanges of passing and fluid movement meant that Wardle, Woodsman, McTigue and Black linked up well with Mantell and Griffiths in an attacking force more potent than Tom Riley's stash of date rape pills.
Short, long, fizzed, inside of the boot, outside of the boot, dummies, flicks...the Alex had it all, with the pick of the bunch a first time, outside of the boot trough ball from Wardle which Woodsman failed to convert when one on one with the keeper. However, it wasn't long for the 2nd goal to come, with Wardle and Griffiths combining well in and around the box, for Griffiths to fire home a rocket in to the roof of the net.
The Llama's offered little resistance and the Alex defensive group of Rupes, Riley, Beef and Lav proved too resilient for the away team. After further great play in the first half, a through ball to Rob fell kindly as the keeper fumbled the gather and begged Griffiths to tuck the ball home...an act the striker carried out with aplomb.
Half-time came and the crowds were jubilant...3-0 to the Alex.
A string of changes in the second half saw Steve Wood, Chris Renouf, Oli Miller and Nick Wright enter the battlefield, and all 4 played a huge part in maintaining the great start that the Alex had created.
The 4th Alex goal came courtesy of a long ball from the back, a Griffiths flick-on and a Woodsman scuff shot into the far corner which caught the sunbathing keeper off guard. Mantell finished the rout with a well taken solo-goal after Woodsman took a quick throw-in to find the lanky striker. A little chip over the defender, a shoulder barge and a tackle eventually saw the ball head goalbound.
Other notable highlights from the 2nd half was Richie Black's audacious flick round the corner to scythe in between two defenders in the cul-de-sac corner of the pitch and provide a zipped cross in for Griffiths who hit the bar after a fine intervention from the keeper. Gandy also provided fine cover at the back and made a one-handed 'paw' save to deny the Llama's of any away goal. The Woodsman finished off the celebratory day with side-drag-face-plant which had the crowds in fits of laughter and a cloud of dust surrounding the miserable player.
A great day, emphatic football and too many beers afterwards saw this date go down in Alex history as one of the best in their 3 year history. A fine display by all! Well played lads!
