G&S came in to this game against lower league opposition after the Summer break keen to impress. Having lost 3 key midfielders, but boosted by the return of stalwart Russell Townsend, Rovers were chomping at the bit on a rather too grassy Flamingo Park pitch.
Literally with their first attack a corner was won and Rich swung in a blinder to meet Lakey’s excellent, near post run and the young man calmly glanced the header home for 1-0 after only 2 minutes.
After only 5 minutes however Orpington Park were nearly level. From an unnecessary free kick, the ball was swung in from the right and the midfielder glanced it on to the bar unmarked!
Then a dire miss from Ant on 10 minutes when skillfully put through by a TJ chip. His left foot volley from a yard was stabbed wide – how could he miss?!
Then Rovers started to miss a hatful of chances. 12 minutes in, the extremely impressive Russ headed on to Chris but Mutti could only lob the ball over keeper and bar. 18 minutes TJ challenged the keeper bravely and Mutti was again wasteful blasting wide. 22 minutes a forceful run from Jo and the ball was slipped to the ever buzzing Ant who also blasted wide when a goal seemed more likely.
Chris seemed to be everywhere but was out of luck again as a cross come shot was tipped on the bar by the busy Reds keeper after 25. Only 5 minutes later a brilliant flick header from outside the box from Chris again beat the keeper. It rebounded from the bar straight to the alert Ant who blasted the ball home from 6 yards on the volley for 2-0.
The Blues were not under much pressure but were being sloppy in passing and conceding corners and free kicks. From another dead ball they were let off again when the ball crashed against their bar in the 38th minute before being cleared to safety.
Half time and although holding a much deserved 2-0 lead, G&S new they were in for a roasting for the way they had played.
The second half kicked off as the day grew warmer. With literally seconds gone TJ was clean through, rounded the keeper and missed an open goal (and we thought Ant’ miss was bad?!).
On 50 Ant headed over from an accurate Russ corner to the Reds relief. The game was fairly end to end for the next 20-25 minutes and then TJ sparked into life. A superb run and shot was matched by the keeper as his foot knocked the ball out for another corner.
82 minutes gone and Russ met yet another corner and was unlucky to see his header rebound from the bar. He was beating nearly everyone in the air and was enjoying his comeback game.
The game was nearly at an end, but there was still time for TJ to show his madness and brilliance in 2 final moves. Firstly, having beaten about 5 of the opponents and cut back numerous times, when a lay off would have been better, he was finally blocked just as he shot. He was to have his moment however, when in the 90th minute, Luca smoothly blasted out of defence a la John Terry, beat 2 or 3 Park players and slotted TJ through with the deftest of touches. TJ rounded the keeper and this time happily slotted the ball the right side of the net for 3-0. Despite his sultry demeanour, he was dying to crack a smile and I am sure I saw one AT LAST!!
The match ended and G&S had had a good run out and were always comfortable. They were only ever in danger from their own sloppy play or poorly defended set pieces, something I am sure they will be working on at training!
