6-0? I make that Baumers O'Clock!
A solid defence, inspired by the ever-vocal Mark Baumfield, was the platform for GSK to return to the rigours of the league at Dominion Way with a 6-0 thrashing of all to familiar foes (in the last fortnight anyway!) Worthing Albion. Albion must be sick of the sight of GSK after conceding 10 goals against them in the space of a week having been beaten 4-0 in their own backyard by the same opposition last Saturday in the Mike Smith Trophy.
Playing the same team twice in succession has its downsides and this was clearly evident as Albion adopted a “two banks of four” approach very early in proceedings. Coupled with GSK never reaching the heights of the pacey football of the opening half an hour the week previous (twas a hot day this time!), this led to a barren first few minutes for the home side amid a stand out cry from the Albion keeper of “this is good lads we’ve already done better than last week!”…obviously keen to point out that 0-0 after 10 minutes what definitely better than the 2 nil down they were by then last Saturday!
Despite the slower pace and football not being as slick and cohesive as they’d like, GSK still conjured up early chances that went begging. Penfold and LaRusso accurately picked out Ripper to slide him through in separate moves, but he failed to put the ball home on both occasions with only the keeper to beat. Hanks, however, was looking lively on the left flank and his movement and cutting infield to join in the play was clearly causing problems for the visitors. Fluff was also providing his usual intelligent running and link-up play. After 25 minutes of frustration for the home side, it came as no surprise when the opener came. Hanks once again cut in from the left, and played a cheeky 1-2 with Ripper, before playing a slide rule pass into the path of Seager. Seags wasn’t going to let the chance go to waste and, from the angle, duly despatched a left-footed drive past the keeper from 12 yards. 1-0 GSK.
Although they weren’t unduly stressed, on opening the scoring a collective sigh of relief was clear from GSK before that “one of those days” feeling started to take over. Albion attempted to offer more of an attacking threat, but the able defending of the GSK back line meant they were limited to a couple of long range efforts that never troubled Wayner in goal, who looked like he was enjoying his day in the sun and debating whether to top up his tan. Baumfield at left-back didn’t have that issue. He couldn’t top up his tan any more!
Er…back to the game! GSK, now relaxed after the opener, continued to enjoy healthy possession, with LaRusso looking effective in the un-familiar role of centre-mid with the solid Nicholas, whilst astute marshalling of the ineffective Albion frontline afforded Penfold, Bone, Hughes and in particular Baumfield the luxury at the back of also being able to join in the play, which they relished in taking up. The 2nd was only a matter of time and duly came on 35 minutes from more Hanks precision on the left flank. Almost hugging the touchline, he sent a beautiful deep curling cross into the Albion box. Still with a lot to do, Ripper rose and majestically headed the cross into the top-corner from 12 yards. The keeper had no chance. 2-0 GSK.
Just before halftime, Penfold, somewhat revelling in the lack of an Albion attacking threat, decided he’d saunter up field and duly got into the mix of a nice bit of interplay but (un)fortunately struck his effort wide. Well, we would’ve only had to all hear about it in the bar afterwards :o)
HT GSK 2 Worthing Albion 0
Boss Jeffery was fairly content at halftime but rightly asked that GSK move the ball quicker and get more movement off the ball. Cheese replaced Seags, to give him a deserved 45 minutes and a chance to er…”show the rug”. Much like the previous week though, it was Albion who rolled their sleeves up in the opening 5 minutes, keen to make some impression, flashing wide their only real chance of the game. This spurred GSK into life and the 3rd duly came on 56 minutes. Hughes having thwarted an Albion counter-attack, produced a superbly weighted 40-yard pass from his dependable right peg, perfectly into the path of Fluff who had made a well-timed burst through the middle. As the keeper advanced he hit a shinner coolly slotted with precision from the edge of the box. 3-0 GSK.
Albion now already knew their fate but still battled gamely to try and prevent a hammering. Howe replaced Bone on 60 minutes, who was clearly suffering a case of that lesser known condition need-a-beer-i-tis :oP . Howe slotted in up alongside Ripper, LaRusso moved to the back line and Fluff joined Brisey in midfield to learn off the maestro (muwahahahah). The extra attacking emphasis further troubled an already weary Albion back line and Howe instantly had a couple of opportunities, once choosing to shoot from a tight angle when perhaps better placed to pass and another just lacking the final touch when put through. Despite the give-and-go football level increasing, the 4th came from a very route one effort! Wayner produced another long kick up field and Mikey managed to get a flick-on to send Howe clear. With only the keeper to beat, this time Howey kept his composure to cheekily lob the keeper from 25 yards. A tidy finish. 4-0 GSK.
If it wasn’t before, the game was effectively over as a contest now. Both teams knew it. However Nicholas and manager Jeffery bellowed the need for more, knowing that goal difference could be a crucial factor in the season. Penfold continued to maraud forward looking for that elusive goal to delight us all with in the bar…but alas it never came (teehee)! Cheese also had his moment. From a corner, he’d worked himself some space. The crowd were aghast at the prospect of seeing the rug potential. However, a collective sigh was heard as Cheese put his free header over the bar. We waiteth until another day for the rug.
Silver Fox Jeffery himself replaced Hughes just before the final 10 minutes, after Hughes was caught in a challenge, where he sustained a very worryingly looking scar on his knee (I saw the scratch in the bar afterwards and I can tell you it was some scratch er scar!). Schofield immediately looked composed slotting in at right-back. However he had nothing to do with the 5th on 80 minutes! Mikey picked the ball up midway in the dejected Albion half and ventured on one of his mazy runs. Cleverly shrugging off the defender, he calmly sent a curling shot past the helpless keeper from the angle, inside the box. Nice finish to a great solo effort. 5-0 GSK.
Albion appearing a spent force, GSK still wanted more…and they saved the best until last on 87 minutes. Having made a near-post save (I think his only save of the game!), Wayner threw the ball to Hanks in the right-back position (Lord only knows what the was doing there!). Hanks, strolling forward, produced a 50-yard pass, in which (in the eloquent words of Hanks and Daz) “the grass on the ball glimmered majestically against the sunny backdrop” to Mikey, who produced a couple of Strictly Come Dancing step-overs before crossing to pick out Penfold at the back stick, who would have brought the ball down on his chest, dropped his shoulder before despatching his shot passed the wrong-footed keeper; had it not been for Howey getting in the way with a speculative shinner!!!! Howe, who rose like a Salmon to produce an overhead kick from 12 yards (not the 20 James was claiming!) into the roof of the net! 6-0 GSK. Despite a couple of the Albion players applauding that one, Howey can be sure that won’t come close to goal of the season though as LaRusso doesn’t like overheads kicks :oP
FT – GSK 6 Worthing Albion 0
A healthy 6-0 in the sun to see GSK in fine fettle before the biggie against L&S at Monks Rec next Saturday.
