Norman travelled to Old Catton on a wet, miserable Sunday morning in a bid to continue their fine form this season, whilst, Old Catton were in possession of a 100% record so far this season. Norman made 2 changes, Jake G coming in for Thomas M who dropped to the bench, whilst "birthday boy" Damon P took on the Captain's duties for the day.
Old Catton kicked off and from the very start looked lively and had plenty of possession early on, whilst Norman struggled in the early stages to deal with the difficult conditions under foot. Old Catton took an early, deserved lead on 8 minutes with a lobbed effort. Old Catton were playing some good football and would probably feel a little hard done by when Norman equalised through Connor S, heading home from a fine Isaac M free kick. Norman continued to battle hard and were coming more into the game the longer it went on. Thomas C gave Norman the lead 5 minutes before half time, with a good run and finish, after some good build up play by Shane E. Worse was to come for Catton when 3 minutes later Thomas C added his and Norman's 3rd goal just before half time after a jinxing run and finish. The conditions weren't good for a flowing game of passing football, but Norman were making the most of the situation and now controlling the game for large parts of it. Half Time Old Catton 1 Norman W 3.
Norman kicked off the second half and they began in much the same manner as they finished the first half, their pace was prevelant in a lot of their attacks, with wave after wave of pressure on the Old Catton back line. Norman had a strong foothold on the game and knew the next goal could prove crucial, by conceeding, Catton would be back in the game, by scoring, Norman would be closing in on another victory. Old Catton forged a long range effort which cleared the Norman bar, this served as a warning to Norman who seemed to step up a gear. A good move down the right, involving Billy D, Dillon R and Shane E, saw an early ball into the box where Connor S found Jack R, who had made up a lot of ground to guide the ball home at the far post on 65 minutes. Norman could sense that Old Catton were beat and pushed on to extend their superiority in this game. Damon P took a throw in on 70 minutes, finding Thomas M who thrashed a shot home giving the kepper no chance. Norman could, and should, of scored more but in the conditions, they had done more than enough to run out comfortable winners. Full Time Old Catton 1 Norman W 5. MOM Isaac M.
A typical Norman display from every player involved today. The team just seems to go from strength to strength and even when they go behind there is no sense of panic, as the lads realise a game is 80 minutes long and believe in their own ability to come out on top. There will be days when Norman dont come out on top, but those days will be few and far between, that much is evident from this season so far! Credit to Old Catton, who are the best footballing team we have played this season. A comfortable scoreline that does not reflect the effort that went in to obtaining such an emphatic scoreline. Perfect present lads, thank you and well done, I'm so proud of you all. "Vincere Aude" C'MON NORMAN!!!!
