Another hatful of goals from Haddonfield saw them walk away 6-1 victors away to AFC Sporting Meridian 'A'
It was Haddonfield who arguably started quicker, putting the hosts under pressure early and forcing a few defensive uncertainties without ever looking overly threatening.
Sporting Meridian always looked dangerous on the counter attack and although there was a clear air of domination, it wasn't all plain sailing for Haddonfield.
Stuart Lee grabbed potentially the most deserved first goal of the season that the Woolwich & Eltham league has witnessed. The Haddonfield striker must have covered 2 or 3 mens running in his previous 2 games without finding the back of the net but showed no lack of confidence as he stroked the ball under the onrushing Sporing Meridian keeper to make it 1-0 from a Danny Thomas through ball.
5 minutes later and it was 2-0 to the boys in yellow. A free kick was given to the left hand side of the area and Scott Mulgrew stepped up from 20 yards to swing the ball over everyone in the box and the Sporting Meridian keeper and into the far corner.
After going 2-0 up, Haddonfield looked very comfortable, the defence - as they did last week - smothered all attacks that come their way and again, the midfield trio of Danny Thomas, Scott Mulgrew and Rob Savage began to control the game with some very nice 1 and 2 touch passing on show.
Just before half time, it was 3-0 to Haddonfield as Danny Thomas curled in an absolute beauty. Thomas took a throw in on the left hand side that found Scott Mulgrew, who played the ball inside to Rob Savage, who cushioned the ball for the onrushing Thomas to wrap his foot round from 25 yards, leaving the Sporting Meridian keeper absolutely no chance. Almost as impressive as the goal was the celebration! Not accustomed to scoring - at all - Thomas almost run the length of the pitch back to his own area in sheer joy, before eventually being mobbed by his teammates.
Half time and crusing for Haddonfield.
The home side flew out of the blocks in the second half, creating a few chances for themselves but ultimately failing to find the net.
Not long into the second half and Stuart Lee grabbed his 2nd goal of the game and the season, latching on to a Rob Savage header and beating his marker, before firing home with his left foot.
Soon after it was time for Haddonfield's top goalscorer to get involved, as GJ bagged a quickfire brace, just as he had the week before vs Abbey Wood. Stuart Lee gaining the assist on the first after winning the ball and playing his strike partner in, who finished with aplomb. The second came from a swift move from the back, as the ball was knocked around confidently, before being played up to Stuart, who nodded the ball on. The second wasn't quite as simple as the first, with GJ moving on to the ball, before looking up and clipping a delightful chip over the stranded Sporting Meridian keeper.
10 minutes to go and nothing to worry about at all for Haddonfield, until a moment of madness reduced both sides to 10 men with both GJ and the Sporting Meridian left back given their marching orders for a spot of handbags.
Soon after and Haddonfield were down to 9 men as debutant keeper Jay Swann - a spectator for most of the game - had to leave the field with an injury, after being absolutely wiped out by a Sporting Meridian attacker.
Within seconds, the hosts were on the scoresheet, with nothing more than a consolation as a delightful cross from the right wing was well buried by the Sporting Meridian skipper.
There wasn't time to kick off and the ref blew up to end the game at 6-1.
The boys move on to face table topping Kent Wanderers at home next Sunday in what should be a great encounter.
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Overall another very satisfying win. I think we played a much stronger side than we did last week side today and arguably put them away much more comfortably than Abbey Wood. Again, a very solid display at the back. The midfield controlled the game and we never looked to be in any trouble of conceeding until the last minute! GJ and Stuart once again looked threatening throughout and it is a massive shame that we will now be missing GJ for a few games after his red card.
Apart from that, we are looking like more of a team every week and it is now going to be very hard for the boys who haven't been around to force their way back in to this side.
Let's keep this going and take confidence into our game next week!
