After a good performance in the cup last weekend, it was important to follow that up when we welcomed Manor Park in our 2nd league match of the season. We were promoted together last season so we knew what we would be up against, and that is to say a solid, strong outfit.
In very warm temperatures, is was us who started on the front foot & started with a couple of great chances in the game. when Sam Browne was sent thru one-on-one with the keeper only for a last minute tackle by a defender to stop him from putting us one up. The second chance came soon after with a cross from the left into Sam Browne who had a free header at the back post putting just wide.
After continuous pressure from us, eventually we broke the deadlock, after pinning them back into their penalty box. The goal was assisted by Andy Hill as he slipped the ball into james Murdoch’s path for him to stroke the ball past the helpless keeper from inside the area on the 35th minute to make that 3 goals in as many games for the midfielder.We should have gone 2-0 up just before the break when captain Warren Eames scored from a header only for the referee to disallow the goal for a foul on the goalkeeper.
The second half belonged to us as we dominated the whole 45 minutes. After some superb saves from the away goalkeeper earning him there man of the match for the game, 2 further goals were followed.
Andrzej Szymczyk scored the second following a lovely passing move as Andy Hill producing one of several defence splitting passes in the game onto an onrushing winger in Matthew Hillier who kept his composure and played it across the box to Andrzej Szymczyk as he slotted the ball away from about 10 yards.
Sam Browne finally got onto the scoresheet as Matthew Hillier won two penalties in the game only for their goalkeeper to save both with brilliant stops, the first he was able a score the rebound after the keeper saved to his right and the latter went for a resulting corner.
It was a fine team performance for The Crown and especially the defence as they gained their first clean sheet of the season, as they really restricted the opponents leaving the goalkeeper to have minimal work in the game. It’s the 3rd win in a row for us this season to continue this very positive start to the new campaign as we remain unbeaten.
We are at home this Sunday in the league to John 86 FC.
