With the end of the season on the horizon, LHC hosted the Defensive kings (so far) of Division 3, Darkhouse.
We knew an early goal was a must, as Darkhouse were well known for being hard to breakdown. Within 4 minutes, we had shown our intentions. A Webby long throw was flicked on into the box and fell to Robbie, who decided to have a Wayne Rooney moment, and tried an overhead kick that the keeper managed to tip onto the bar. 10 minutes later Robbie turned provider, putting the ball through for Bob to run onto and knocked past the keeper to score. 1-0. LHC kept the pressure on but failed to hit the target or were ruled offside. 30 minutes into the match, Darkhouse had their first good chance of the match. A long range free kick came into the box and their striker was unlucky to not get on the end of it. Carl cleared up though and the danger passed. 1-0 at half time.
At the start of the second half LHC felt another goal was needed on the chance that Darkhouse were starting to up the gear and may sneak a goal. Luckily for us a free kick was given just after the restart. Webby stepped up to take it and, with everyone expecting a cross to the back post, Hit the ball towards the middle of the goal. The ball just managed to dip between the bar and the out stretched hand of the keeper to give LHC a 2-0 lead. Just before the hour, LHC found a third goal. Webby, Shane and Callum moved the ball around with ease and managed to carve out a gap for Shane to run into. Webby passed the ball through the defence and Shane got his shot away. The keeper got a hand to it but couldn’t hold on to the ball and Bob ran in to tap the ball in for his second of the match. With nothing to lose, Darkhouse started to put the pressure on a bit and managed to get a goal back on 75 minutes with some good passing in midfield and the LHC defence switching off for a moment. This turned out to be just a consolation goal though as the game ended 3-1.
Yet another solid team performance from the lads. Darkhouse were hard to break down but the LHC lads worked hard and gave each other options throughout the 90 minutes. I think we are the first side to score 3 against them this season (I hope Ed doesn’t prove me wrong here!) and they showed in places why they are hard to breakdown with a very well organised back 4. Apart from a momentary lapse, the LHC defence were solid and Carl didn’t really have much to do. Robbie and Bob formed a good partnership up front and Bobs brace capped his hard working performance. The Midfielders didn’t tire either, as the carved out openings throughout the match. Man of the match this week is Webby for his goal and his work rate today.
Our first league meeting with Sandwell next week. We need to keep in the winning habit to keep our chance of nicking the Division title from Rockmount.
