Greensleeves bagged another 3 points against a spirited and much improved Chicken Kievs side.
Greensleeves made a couple of changes from the previous week, as Holmesy returned from injury to fill in in goal and Jimbo came in for his debut.
Josh started in a more advanced role, and Greensleeves struggled initially to get used to their new shape. The game was scrappy in the early stages with neither team really creating any clear cut chances.
The first genuine opportunity game when Josh surged into the box and was fouled as he was about to shoot. Matt stepped up to take the penalty, but the ref blew as he was taking it to indicate he was only allowed one step. The penalty hit the keeper and went behind, but bizarrely a re-take was not ordered.
It was not to matter as Greensleeves went ahead shortly after. Jimbo picked the ball from a throw and and shot from distance. It struck the keeper appeared to go in the corner. Due to a hole in the net there was some debate about which side of the post it had gone but the goal was given. 1-0.
It was 2-0 shortly after, as Matt picked up a good pass from Sam, rounded a defender and swept home.
That should have been game set and match, but the Kievs got themselves straight back into the game. They ran forward from the kick off. Greensleeves had 3 men back but the Kievs striker unleashed a good strike into the corner, which to be fair, Holmesy could do little about.
Greensleeves pushed on, and were twice denied by the woodwork. A piledriver from Sam hit the post and went behind, and a firmly struck shot from Matt hit the inside of the post and ran across the line.
Half time arrived, with the boys in Green slightly frustrated at only being 1 goal up.
Greensleeves picked up where they left off in the second half, peppering the goal with shots. Jimbo crashed a long range strike against the woodwork, and Josh had an effort blocked by the defender after a good move.
The pressure told as a Kievs defender failed to clear properly, and Josh was on hand to slam the ball home. 3-1.
Greensleeves were soon further ahead, the ball fell to Matt on the counter-attack. His shot was well-saved by the keeper but Josh was on hand once more and finished well. 4-1.
More goals should have been added before the final whistle, but Greensleeves were perhaps fortunate not to concede again when Holmesy ignored the fact he was playing in goal, ran the full length of the pitch only to see the attack break down. Luckily the Kievs managed to make a mess of their break.
The final whistle blew and it was an important 3 points before the vital game against the Dugout next week.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Sam just edges out Josh this week. The victory was built on his solid defending.
STAT OF THE MATCH: Greensleeves are averaging a healthy 4.4 goals a game this season.
