Centurion Smith takes a double at Barr
Mexoc continued their good start to the season with another solid performance away from home against Barrluca. A first goal of the season for Smith and an own goal gave Mexoc a 2-0 lead before the home team struck before half time. A timely third Mexoc goal from Sheppard all but secured the points before Smith got his second and Davis capped a good win with a sweet volley.
Barrluca won both meetings between the two teams last season by narrow margins so a competitive fixture was in store. And so it proved. The home team, playing with the wind at their backs, made the better start keeping the ball and creating a couple of half chances. But it was Mexoc who took the lead. A good break down the right flank, a low cross from Mellor and Smith, making his 100th competitive appearance for the club, was on hand to open the scoring with a confident finish.
It wasn't long before Mexoc doubled their lead. Davis whipped in a free kick from the right touchline and as Devine and Matthews rose like the proverbial salmon it was the Barrluca keeper and defender who between them managed to find the back of the net.
Mexoc now began to play the kind of football that earned them their opening win. Man of the Match Gogol saw his long range effort go narrowly over the bar. But with the wind favouring the home team Barrluca created the next chance of the game leaving the Mexoc defence relieved to see the ball sail high over the bar. The Barrluca players needed some inspiration and they got it shortly before half time. A pull-back to the edge of the box was fired into the roof of the net from 25 yards. This only spurred Mexoc on and the last 5 minutes of the half were their best of the game. Two good chances were created with Gogol first denied by the crossbar after a deftly lob and then Smith blazing high from 12 yards.
The second half began in true Sunday league fashion with Smith seeing the keeper off his line and firing in a shot direct from kick-off. A jaw dropping silence descended upon Adlam Park as to everyone's amazement the ball was goal-bound. The Barrluca keeper frantically back-peddled and was relieved to see the ball skim the top of the cross bar and go behind for a goal kick. Despite this bright start to the second half for Mexoc, it was Barrluca who created the best chances, a header hitting the bar from a corner and a couple of 1 on 1's that Johnson dealt with in the Mexoc goal.
Mexoc regained their two goal advantage a third of the way into the second half when Sheppard capitalised on some poor defending and fired into the top corner from 30 yards. At this point Mexoc sensed the victory and started to pressure the Barrluca defence. Sheppard was once again involved in the action for Mexoc's 4th goal. Full of energy, Sheppard chased down a searching ball from Glover and after beating the defender pulled the ball back to Smith on the edge of the 6 yard box who calmly slotted home his 2nd of the game.
With the match seemingly won, Mexoc played with freedom and could have got another 2 goals. The first chance should have come when Smith was brought down 2 yards inside the box. The referee walked over to inspect the scene where Smith lay completely still (probably due to fatigue!) and concluded that the foul had occurred outside the box and Smith had theatrically rolled into the box. The second chance came when Smith and Mellor broke through the Barrluca defence. Unselfishly Smith squared the ball to Mellor who shot high and wide. Mellor's blushes were spared as the referee made yet another cracking decision and gave him off-side despite being behind Smith.
Mexoc did get a deserved 5th goal just before full time. A quick throw from substitute Hudson found Davis in space who stroked the ball home on the volley, capping a second convincing win.
After 2 games Mexoc are top of division 2 by virtue of their superior goal difference. A tricky home tie against their voodoo team - Rockville - on Tuesday night will be a good test for what appears to be a reformed Mexoc under manager Faulkner in his first full season in charge.
