Well our first home game for about three weeks saw us up against Rooks Nest. We sat close to each other in the league and hoped it would prove to be a useful test.
Slightly changed team but all nine players played there part over 40 minutes. Our squad for today was Sam, Adam, Tom, Jack H, Jack W, Toby, Nathan, Oliver and Michael. Special "thanks" to Sam for stepping up and playing in goal; well done.
It proved to be a good,open game throughout with both sides willing to attack. Our opponents made life hard for us with some great goalkeeping from the Rooks Nest keeper.
We'd asked the lads before hand what they wanted from todays game and they replied on mass; a win and some fun. Well they gave each other, us and our supporters this a plenty.
Crofton pushed forward from the first whistle and Jack W and Toby made a number of great runs from midfield. Jack H on the left ran well and tracked back whenever needed. Nathan started quietly up front but after a "word" seemed to get more and more stuck in; belief is he key word here. Our defence as ever with Tom and Adam played very well and gave us a solid platform to attack.
For the first seventeen minutes we created chances, played well, got a number of shots in BUT just couldn't get that first goal. Rooks Nest pressed on as well forcing anumber of first half corners. Credit to Crofton in defence, we coped well with them all.
The game turned in the final three minutes of the first half. Our pressure finally paid off and Nathan's shot was fumbled by the keeper and creopt over the line; 1-0 Crofton! This seemed to lift the lads and a fine solo run from Toby was finished with a great shot on 18 minutes; 2-0. And on the stroke of half time, Toby was fouled just outside the area. Tom stepped up and hit a "screamer" of a free kick into the top left corner; goal of the game and at half time we led 3-0.
Half time talk was about congratulating the lads BUT ensuring we concentrated as the job was half done. Oliver and Michael played there part as substitutes; Oliver playing well in both midfield and defence .Michael continued his learning curve and played well in midfield.
The second half proved to be close and followed the pattern of the first. Jack H continued to have a great game and always looked to run directly when he had the ball. Nathan grew in confidence and had an improved second half chasing down numerous balls out of defence and putting the Rooks Nest defence under pressure. Tom and Adam and Sam (in nets) kept it tight at the back throughout - great communication lads at time - all about team work.
We finally made the break through in the second half on thirty five minutes to make the game save. Toby broke a couple of tackles in midfield and his shot beat the keeper and went in off the post; 4-0 up.
Rooks Nest got a deserved consolation on 37 minutes to make the final score, 4-1 to Crofton.
At the moment it is very hard to single anyone out as Man of the Match as the TEAM is playing so well for each other. Your commitment, willingness to listen and put into practice what you learn at training is wonderful to see. Keep this up lads, you deserved your victory today because of team work and a desire not to be beaten.Keep it up and lets see how well we can do this season?
Man of the Match was Jack H - well done Jack. Your work rate, runs, effort and all round play was superb - you only started playing football twelve months ago and have come on in leaps and bounds - well done!
For the record we played a "friendly" afterwards which ended 1-1. A chance to play people out of position. Good running Nathan. And Michael won the Man of the Match for this game - effort and development - well done to Michael.
