We carried on our good form from last week, and in the first couple of quarters especially we played some lovely passing football, and if it wasn't for some good keeping and bounce of the ball we could have had double figures.
First quarter and straight from the off we seemed to have the better of the midfield area with the front three of Joseph, Sam & Elliott being too hot to handle for a battling Santos side. Our skipper eased the nerves with a fantastically taken long range free kick going in off the right post. With this confidence we generally dominated and a couple of minutes later, another lovely goal, Sam with seemingly nothing on at a very tight angle hit a very sweet and accurate shot to give our second goal of the game. At the other end Santos were tricky opposition, and some hesitant defending at times led to them going close. While at the other end the keeper made one of many good saves.
Second quarter, and we got a goal again from kick off, a nice ball from Joseph for Elliott to run on to and, my how did he run. Beating two or three men and then finishing accurately with power, super individual effort. The passing between Josh, Elliott, Joseph, & Sam was superb in this quarter, and after some neat passing, Joseph calmly laid the ball off for Elliott to finish expertly once again for his fourth hat-trick in a row! After more good passing the ball rebounded to Sam, who again finished well under pressure. End of the second quarter 5-0.
Our "cursed" third quarter struck again, losing the quarter 1-0, but despite that actually thought we played quite well, and had plenty of the chances. The Cramlington keeper was on fire in this quarter keeping Josh out a number times along with Sam & joseph. Just a bit more composure in front of goal would have seen more goals come. One thing I noticed, Elliott & Joseph took some lovely corners in this quarter, which just needed any kind of touch, rather than standing on the line then trying to reach the balls would be better to stand near the penalty spot then come forward to try and get a touch on the ball. At the other end, Santos got a reward for some good attacking play, when a good team move led to a smart finish.
Fourth quarter and Jamie gave them the aim of "winning the quarter", and the boys took this on board and again played some nice stuff, with the ball just not quite falling a lot of the times, Sam, Elliott, James and Jospeh all going close. The one goal of the quarter, was a superb effort, think it was Josh with a long ball through to Sam who was facing our goal, he then turned nicely controlling the ball sweetly, sped away from the defender and finished beautifully, great individual goal Sam to get your hat-trick, superb stuff! Final score 6 - 1.
Up front the midfield attacking three played some lovely combination football, but after a slow start the defence picked up the pace, and James, Harry & Josh hardly put a foot wrong, while Aaron when called upon did well. So well done to all, was a very good all round performance. A very close run thing for man of match award from Sam & Elliott the hat-trick boys, but will go with the Santos coach's choice of Sam, some great finishing Sam! But everyone else was not far behind. Next week its the big match against Bedlington, where we will need everyone to give 100% and battle like we've never battled before! Credit to Santos who never gave up and were a credit to their coach.
Well done lads!
Training Wednesday GPMS field 5.15.
