Following on from their cup victory Norreys had a potentially difficult league match away to Berkshire Arms at Thatcham Town FC.
Norreys welcomed back Matt Roddis who also found himself in a central midfield role for the game....a tactical move by the manager to keep the midifeld area busy on the very wide pitch!
Norreys started the game well and were using the size of the pitch better than the home team with some good play down both flanks by Karl and Joao who were both finding the space well. All the early pressure came from Norreys with Ali making some great runs in behind the Arms central defence, and surely it was just a matter of time before Norreys would get the ball in the back of the net.
Norreys were piling on the pressure and soon had created some great opportunities with Ali coming close with an effort that crashed against the post and just out of his reach for the rebound. Norreys were finding plenty of space at the back of the area from corners which only lacked good connection with some 'air-shots' coming from Niko and Matt.
Opportuities were coming thick and fast for Norreys when Ali latched onto a through ball and beat the keeper only to put wide.
Norreys then had a great opportunity to take the lead when the Arms keeper spilled the ball and Matt Roddis took the ball doing his best to control it in the area and create some space for the shot which he fired off the top of the bar from close range.
Norreys continued their pressure and Ali came close on a few more occasions before the break without any reward.
Not to be outdone, Andy H was also getting involved and made a few yards of space only to fire straight at the Arms keeper.
The first half finished goal-less but not for the want of trying by Norreys!
The second half started much the same with Norreys taking advantage of the space that Ali and Andy were finding up front and Norreys had a number of great chances to score, Ali rounding the keeper but firing wide plus a couple of half chances from Andy, Karl, Tam and Ali.
Norreys however were made to pay for not getting the ball in the back of the net when Berkshire Arms took the lead in the 64 minute following a break away attack.
Not to be outdone, Norreys continued to attack and needed only two minutes to get the equaliser when Ali was fed by Andy and took his chance well with a neat finish.
This was all Norreys needed and the goals came flooding in with Tam making up a lot of ground to slide in a pass from Ali on 71 minutes, Ali added his second on 78 minutes when Tam returned the favour.
Ali and Andy both had great chances to add to the tally although seemed more intent on playing one-two's to each other off the Arms keeper.
Andy did get his goal though on 86 minutes after latching onto a through ball by Joao.
Andy was replaced by James after his goal when only two minutes after coming on was given a gift of a first touch by Ali who had rounded the keeper for James to tap into the net with his first touch of the game and a 1-5 Norreys win!
Some great attacking football from Norreys as well as some glaring misses but on this type of form it is only a matter of time before Norreys are heading towards the top end of the league!
Managers man of the match, despite missing out on two or three hat tricks is Ali Shambrook!
