The 4s continued their good start to the new year when they took apart a mediocre Goffs side. Plying their trade lower down the league ladder Goffs made us travel to middle earth and beyond for our cup fixture. This wasn't going to deter us from our last available piece of silverware for the season however, and Meads could not have started the game better when only a minute in a good move down the left resulted in Ronnie centring the ball for Matt, who finished unconvincingly through the keeper.
It was the perfect start to the game and allowed Meads to settle down and play some football. There was still a rushed element to our play but the pitch was hardly condusive to the best football you've ever seen. Ash was decimating his full back and getting past him at every chance, this opened up opportuntites for the forward and midfielders to get into the box and put more daylight between the two teams. The daylight was to be found through a set piece however when a lovely ball from Kev found the inform Jonathan at the front post, who powered his header past the keeper into the top corner. 2-0 and coasting.
The best goal from a team point of view was to come soon after when some steady build up play found Kev in the middle of the park. Kev stretched the play with a pin point long ball to Ash, who controlled a lovely first time pass into the box where George got infront of his marker to make it 3-0.
Goffs were offering little going forward but they still managed to get some good territory in the first half, some corners offering a glimmer of hope to their forwards. Anything that did materialise was quickly snuffed out by the back four and Adam who was quick off his line whenever the situation required.
A 4th came in the first half when Ronnie was played through and he finished cooly through the legs of the keeper to wrap up the tie in the first half. Half time came and we were keen to carry on with the way we played despite the 4-0 lead.
As can be expected we let our foot off the gas in the 2nd half and to be honest the game became seriously disjointed and a scrappy affair. Goffs were playing a ridiculously high line, meaning there were 21 players in our half of the pitch leaving a whole half for us to exploit. George was caught offside by the referee on about 20 occassions, or at least at seemed so. Many of these decisions seemed close to say the least but at the same time, we were guilty of playing the ball too late or making the run early on numerous occassions.
Chances came and went with regularity with many of those chances not getting as far as the goal due to another unnecessary offside call. The game was frustrating to say the least and Goffs got a goal they scantly deserved when a harmless looking lofted shot from outside of the area was left to go into the top corner by Adam. To be fair, it seemed that the ball was going high and wide and I think it surprised everyone when the net rippled.
Meads 5th came when a cross from deep from Eric as the Goffs defence was pushing out found Matt in the area who glanced his header past the keeper into the far corner. The 6th came and luckily so for George, who seemed like he might kill someone if he didnt get another goal, when Kev played the ball over the top and george pushed the ball around the keeper and then hook the ball from a tight angle into the net to make it 6-1. Goffs scored a nice goal to make it 6-2.
The second half was hardly vintage but could be expected given the scoreline and the nature of the opposition, Kev was named MOM for his unflappable display in the middle. Next round is next week and it would be a great boost for everyone to put in another strong display and move into the Semis of the cup.
