Sunday 18th September 2011 rolled up and an interesting team selection was on the managers mind! With 9 of the players injures, away or running half marathons, Geoff 'Makelele' Osguthorpe was looking at his first start of the season. In an equally shocking turn of events, the injured striker Tim Boorer was required to go in goal due to the absentee of Ash Buck. This could've been interesting!!!
As the game got underway, The Commercial looked up for it on the carpet of Aytons' pitch. With some great passing and good forward play, the ball was bieng wisely kept clear of rookie keeper Boorer at the back!!
An early chance came from down the left with Fowler and Noble linking up well. As Noble played the ball across Mike Clark took the ball first time with his back to goal. One touch to turn and find the gap between defenders and with the outside of his boot, smashed the ball into the roof of the net fom 10 yards. A fantastic goal and a fantastic start.
As the good passing and hard work from front to back continued it certainly was a vast difference to the appalling game against Cayton the week before.
As The Commercial continued forward, Fowler again breaking down the left, got the wrong side of the defender who clipped him from behind. As Mike Clark lined up the free kick from 25 yards, many expected a cross. Many, don't know Mike Clark!!! 25 Yards, job done. The ball flew like an arrow into the Top corner giving the keeper absolutely no chance. This is the man who feared he'd never score again!! 2 fantastic goals to open his goalscoring account for the season.
Now, as mentioned previously, the defense again marshalled by Olly Barron at the centre alongside Matt 'own goal' Moorhouse, had been keeping the ball clear of the new keeper. Thickett and Barker providing great support out wide for wingers and central defenders alike. Unfortunately, Ayton then decided to test the rookie from distance. As the ball darted towards Boorer he looked confident, calm and greatly positioned to catch the ball. As it neared him, it all looked ok until......CHEST OF STEEL!!!!
The ball bounced clearly off the chest into the air and agonisingly across the front of the goal, 5 yards away from the onrushing striker. But what you forget about Boorer is his calm reactions and time management, and the fact he's writing this!! He watched the ball carefully and as the striker was about to put the ball away got across with his foot to blast the ball clear.
Some could say he's a natural, others say he was lucky.....you decide!!!! :-)
As the half neared it's conclusion there was still time for two more goals. The first coming from another pass across the the box from Pete Noble, who had been unlucky himself wo
ith an earlier chance. Clark was on hand to complete a great first half hat-trick with a tap in. 3-0 Commercial against 1st Division Ayton. Then....'own goal' struck.
Matt Moorhouse who up that point, and after this point had a fantastic game. Just this point when he beautifully angled a wayward shot past the planted Boorer. Some might say he was unluck as the ball was blasted at him from 5 yards away, but as this annoys him somewhat, OWN GOAL MOORHOUSE STRIKES AGAIN!!!
3-1 at half time and The Commercial were running the show.
One person who I have yet to mention is the Makelele of the game. Geoff Osguthorpe even made a slide tackle!! My how things have changed. He also had a fantastic header. When I said had a fantastic header, it basically smashed him on the head, again from 5 yards. As he lay on the ground near unconciousness, a few Commercial players were also on the ground.....in stitches!!! Poor Geoff. But as much as we mock, Geoff had a great game and a little reminder to some how good a player he can be!!
Darren Howes and Stu Lincoln had run themsleves ragged in the centre of midfield on a wide and long pitch, so much so that after the game, Stu Lincoln couldn't even lift his own drink to his lips. Poor Stu.
The second half was a lot quieter for both goalkeepers although again, the Ayton keeper certainly had more to do than Boorer, who was enjoying his first experience in goal. The odd call, kick and collection was all that was required...apart from watching a long range effort smash the bar, but I'm sure he had it covered!! (I really did!!)
As Commercial bombed forward, another free kick from Clark was fumbled by the Ayton and dispatched forcefully home, from a yard, by top scorer for the season, and RIGHT BACK, Adam Thickett. Thats 4 in 4 for the young man, what a start!!
As Commercial just eased their way to victory, although Clark earned, rightfully so, the plaudits for his goals and all round man of the match performance, it was certainly a team result. Sven, or Steven as he's known in the paper, Barker seems have made the left back position his own with a confident and sophisticated performance. Barron and Moorhouse playing fantastically at the back with Thickett being his usual solid self the defense were virtually unpenetrable.
With Fowler and Clark racing down the wings, the former picking up a dead leg early on but still managing to play very well. Howes and Lincoln in the middle doing enough running for 5 men, Osguthorpe protecting the back four and breaking up the play and Noble, who just needs that bit of luck to get his first goal, was working his backside off up front as we've come to expect from the lone striker, it was an accomplished team performance.
And lastly, the final word has to go to Boorer, not only cos he's writing this piece, but to now hope he doesn't have to play in goal again!!! (Although I did enjoy it I must say so never say never!!
Adios amigos and see you next sunday!!x
