On a cold and wet morning Coddington welcomed Flowserve to Stapleford lane for a top of the table clash between 2 unbeaten sides. Having started the season brightly with 100% record Flowserve were always going to be a test for Coddington.
The game started at a fast pace with Coddington dominating play in the early stages. Tackles we flying in from both sides, one which led to a free kick from 25 yards that Craig Roche superbly bent around the wall leaving David 'Dumpy' Wilson no chance to bury it in the top left hand corner.
Credit to Flowserve they tried to play football and showed signs of a good side. They unfortunately were on the end of another free kick from the veteran Roche that showed there's life in those old legs yet. This time Dumpy probably should of done better but it was still a good free kick from the former RHP man.
2nd half was pretty much a grind it out performance from Coddington and were happy for the game to finish 2 nil. Chances were few and far between from both sides. A good clean sheet against a team that has been banging goals in for fun.
Hard to pick anyone out as I thought you all did a good job in those conditions, on another dry day we would of created a lot more chances. Excellent hard graft from Mat Roche up front all on his own who led the line well, doing what he does best in Newark getting his big arse in the way of the defender holding the ball up. Tireless work form Billy Warner, Lewis Chambers and Marc Toule also that bit of quality from Craig Roche in midfield. Joe Braithwaite looking like a natural at centre half looked very accomplished alongside Ryan Stafford.
With the victory it takes us top of the league for the first time in about 3 years. Lets not get to far ahead of ourselves as there is a long way to go but the signs are looking good for a successful season.
Message from Watto
Quality team performance today lads. I am probably your biggest critic as you all know but I am honest, todays win spoke volumes for what we are about. The whole back four and Lamby worked hard for 90 mins to keep that clean sheet. Billy Warner was dogged in midfield and Matt Roche worked tirelessly up top on his own holding the ball up and bringing others into the game. I though the work Lewis Chambers did when we weren't in possession was fantastic and Toulie had probably his best game for us today. I do give praise when its due and you all earned it today. I cant finish without mentioning that outstanding first goal by Craig Roche. I have been involved in sunday football for 24 years and cant remember a free kick as good and accurate as that one today. We are now a quarter way through the league campaign, top of the league and unbeaten and its up to you lads to keep us there
