In what has to be Heddon's best performance of the season so far (first 15 minutes were probably up there with the best we've ever played) Heddon managed to navigate sheep on the pitch (and associated "muck") h, a linesman who struggles with the concept of offside and has no Dummies left now that they have all been thrown out of his pram to basically batter a very good offensive Barrasford team on a rutted pitch that was hardly conducive to good football.
We looked like scoring every time we had the ball, we were patient with the ball and not forcing it forward early, with lads showing for the ball continuously when they didn’t have it. When we did have to hit it long, it tended to be accurate and into Dan’s feet - who's hold up play was superb today. The way we played with the ball meant that the 8 goals we scored actually flattered Barrasford to some degree, Walker, Sean, Murta and Woody would like some of their chances back again to make the score even more emphatic.
Whilst the final score was comfortable, it was 3-2 at half time. However, Bull was largely comfortable all game with their 3 goals coming from outside the box leaving Bull with little chance - the second especially was a peach! Our defensive shape from strikers to defenders to Bull's positioning was spot on, as was our work rate off the ball which was absolutely outstanding.
The one downside if the two dissent bookings. Whilst I understand the frustration with the lino (murtas goal for offside was a joke of a call - think Prudhoe town away for those who were not there today)we need to cut this out of our game (me included).
All in all a game where everyone contributed, including the subs. We go into the Minor cup quarter final in confident mood and playing good stuff. let’s keep it up, we are playing a very good team from the Newcastle Premier league but we'll give them a good game.
Player synopsis:
Bull - nowt he could do with goals. Distribution spot on, starting position spot on. Communication spot on. One class save.
Ramma: Literally played most of the game with a broken finger. lead by example, love his overlapping runs, solid as anything defensively.
Scoobs: Mountain at the back but size belies his quality on the ball. Handle Northern league striker superbly.
Joe: Turned up in fake tan and 'slightly' hungover but couldn’t tell. Quality at the back and with the ball, class goal coming out from the back. Balance that with his defensive work superbly.
Jlish: The scene of his most hungover game ever and was absolutely class today. getting forward well and never gets beat. Class on the ball as usual.
Ross: More of a holding role today and probably had one of his best games. Monster off the ball, quality on it. leader
Woody: Put so much in he couldn’t catch his breath in second half. Was absolutely everywhere in a quality display. No chance of that left foot swinger going in though!
Elliott: Class act again, flying into the tackles and took 2 of their lads out on one today! Work rate phenomenal, unlucky not to bag one with some cracking runs forward.
Sean: How this lad only has the number of assists he does is outrageous. Quality today and work rate right up there defensively. Should of had a stone wall pen, left back doesn’t want to see him again in a hurry.
Murta: 3 goals, (one an absolute screamer!) and could have had more. Tortured his full back, didn’t do too much with ball and made the right decisions. Work rate outstanding.
Walker: 3 goals but understandably started slowly after a few weeks away. Holdup play outstanding, as was his work rate. Link up play into mid and with Sean and Murta was class!
Flem: 30 minute run out with feeling a tight groin. Looked mint, absolutely seamless transition when he came on!
Neil: Never lost the ball, other than when it bobbled and he smashed it 30 yards over the bar! Cracking effort levels.
Phil: Got beat up Saturday night, took it out on a few of the Barrasford lads with crunching tackles! Will blame the hangover for the mis judged headers.
Tom A: Quality at right back earning a pen with marauding run forward. Solid defensively too!
