Our first venture into the Northants county cup began with an enjoyable resounding victory. From the outset we were positive and looked to attack at every given opportunity. Our defensive team of Isaac, Tom, Joe, Luke and Ned gave absolutely no chances to the Kingsthorpe Jets strike force in the opening half. In the middle Will and Charlie took command of the game and both Sam and Harlie were ever willing to attack down the flanks. George and Tyler looked to be back in the groove as they combined to make chances not only for themselves but for their eager team-mates.George opened the scoring inside seven minutes after racing onto a fine through ball passed by Charlie and thumped the ball past the on rushing Jets keeper. The goal helped to settle any nervousness we may have been feeling and we began to play some scintillating stuff, probably for the first time this season. Tyler then got a birthday goal to give us our second. Faced with a one on one, our striker kept his cool to leave the keeper on the floor. Though Tylers’ touch was heavy he still managed to reach the ball and steer it past the despairing defender on the goal line. At the back Luke and Ned formed a solid barrier and outside them Joe and Tom were able to supply great passes out from the back and Tom was always just winning his battle with the overhanging trees. Great work from Harlie down the right ended with George helping his wingers cross into the path of Sam who smashed home for number three just before the break. It had been a pulsating first half and a very satisfied bunch of lads came off for a deserved drink.
The Jets came out fired up after the turnaround and looked for an early breakthrough but again our back line helped greatly by the midfielders kept the hosts at bay. Ten minutes after the interval we found the killer goal and another top quality goal it was too. George raced from halfway onto Toms threaded pass. Tyler sprinted into the centre dragging two defenders with him . The home keeper was deceived when George feigned a cross and fell back onto the seat of his pants to leave a delighted forward with the easiest of tap ins. George then provided more chances for Charlie whos ‘ first effort came back off the bar and in the follow up the keeper pulled down Sam but the ref saw it differently and awarded a free kick to the home side .The second chance was brilliantly saved by the keepers outstretched hand. Good work from Dan in the middle set Harlie free down the right and the flying winger sent in a viscous cross that George headed goal ward but again the goalie was a match to it.Late in the game the home side were rewarded for their hard work with two long range efforts that gave poor Isaac no chance to save and it felt somewhat harsh on Luke and his fellow defenders who had worked all game to deny any clearcut opportunities. This was the performance we had all been waiting for and the performance we knew you good players would be capable of. Lets carry this confidence on into our next run of games ,well done.
