For a first game in many weeks, it was the trip out to Stowmarket that awaited Greshams. Having located the changing rooms the customary pre match banter took place as Cashen confirmed the team which was Rob in goals; a back four of Cash, Cooky, the returning Richard Minns and Steve Hamblin; in midfield, Froudy, Matt, Sam and Richard Hunn; up front Norfolk and Rob Minns with Phil starting as sub.
Despite a 'proper' warm up and some words from Cooky, Greshams, perhaps due to not having played for so long, started the game rather on the back foot. Meadlands were lively without showing any real quality but Greshams were too often second to the ball and failing to close down properly. However in a sign of what was to come Greshams nearly took the lead when a long ball to Rob saw him running clear one on one with the keeper only for the keeper to make the tackle as Rob attempted to round him.
However after about fifteen minutes Greshams got the goal they needed to settle their nerves. Good work from Rob down the left led to him cutting the ball back to Hunn who hit a sweet shot from 15 yards out that gave the keeper no chance.
For the next ten minutes Greshams played their best football of the match a they raced in to a three nil lead. There was lots of pace and movement about the side, particularly down the flanks, the long ball was proving productive against a rather ponderous Meadlands defence, and Greshams were totally in the ascendancy. They got the second when Hunn returned the favour and set up Rob for another nice finish from an angle, and only minutes later, it was Froudy who was the provider and Rob once again the scorer.
Unfortunately, cruising at 3 - 0, Greshams then took their foot of the gas and through a combination of poor refereeing, disappointing finishing, and lack of concentration, contrived to allow Meadlands a slender lifeline back in to the match. Greshams switched off at a free kick, failed to pressure the delivery, and the Meadlands midfielder found himself free on the edge of the box and produced, to be fair,a decent finish giving Rob no chance.
However the frustration for Greshams was that they should have been out of sight by this point. Firstly Norfolk, who was constantly involved despite some comedy act finishing, was denied as blatant a penalty you could hope to see. Steve was clearly tripped but the ref waved play on, seemingly playing advantage!!!! Then there was a succession of misses and bad decisions in the final third when Greshams could have been looking at double figures by half time.
Half time: Meadlands 1 Greshams 3
Cooky voiced his frustration at half time and clearly Greshams knew that plenty more goals were to be had. However The second half started as the first ended, with the ball going over the bar, wide of the post, everywhere but in the net, and the keeper even making a few decent saves.
However finally the breakthrough came when Norfolk was fouled out on the right. The Hunn floated in a kick which was one of those awkward shot /crosses that eluded everyone and sailed in to the far corner of the net.
This would be the goal the really opened the floodgates for Greshams as the Meadlands heads went down and Greshams cranked up the pressure. Moments later Hunn set up Rob for his hat trick, Rob lashing the ball in to the roof of the net. Next, Norfolk was charging through on goal only to be barged to the ground by the burly Meadlands midfielder. Arguably a fair shoulder charge but in any case, the free kick was given and up stepped that man Hunn to dink it delightfully over the wall and complete his hat trick.
With the scoreline getting a more emphatic look about it the game was becoming a little niggly and was notable for a shocking foul committed on Froudy. Froudy and the defender were racing for the ball and it was obvious to everyone watching what would happen - Froudy would get to the ball first and the defender would clean him out. This is what duly happened with the challenge being more of an assault than a tackle, leaving Froudy floored and wondering which bit hurt most, and bringing the rather spineless response of only a yellow from the ref.
As the game meandered to a conclusion, Greshams added a couple more and once again they were scored by the on fire Richard Hunn. For the 7th he raced through only to run out of legs as he closed in on goal, ending up poking the ball rather apologetically past the keeper, whose aimless waft of the leg as his attempt at a save, clearly indicated that he had had about enough. Finally, more comedy antics in front of goal from Norfolk led to the ball breaking to Hunn once more who rounded off the rout with his 5th.
So Greshams picked up three points and their biggest win for some time. In truth it was not the best or most competitive game but it was a useful run out in preparation for tougher fixtures ahead. Rich Minns made a welcome return and looked solid as ever at centre half which at right back, Hamblin and Beeson got a run out on their return from injury. Sam and Matt provided a solid platform in midfield with Sam providing his usual energy in chasing the ball. Cooky and Rob in goal were for the most part just interested spectators, while up front, Norfolk somehow managed not to get in on the goal scoring act. Mindful of the effect on Norfolk's fragile confidence, manager Cashen has promised him some motivational training prior to the next fixture.
Man of the match: with five goals and two assists, an easy vision this week.well played the Hunn!!!
