The first game of the double header saw us win comfortably after a lovely strike from Charlie had put us ahead before George rolled the ball in the empty net having lobbed the keeper. We turned up to the playing fields with plenty of time and had a chance to salivate at the prospect of playing on the same surface as the mighty Brentford Reserves. Having chatted to the groundsman we were cleared to play on the pitch and we were looking forward to playing some nice football on a great pitch.
With Eric away Sam stepped in at centre back alongside Jonathan, a partnership that has been successfull in the past and continued to be on Saturday. The game started slowly from our point of view but we grew as the game went on and began playing the football and dictating the game. Kev was playing nicely in the middle and Neil was up to his usual standards in the middle of the park, ably stepping in for the injured Dave Hough.
George had a couple of speculative shots early on but apart from that there was little real trouble for their keeper. Alex had stepped in for the unfortunately late Foz and was doing a good job alongside the more usual defence. With the added pace given by Alex we were troubled very little at the back and the game was certainly there for the win. With about 20 miuntes gone Kev played a nice ball over the top to Charlie, the ball was bouncing but Charlie did not hesitate and he thundered the ball home from an angle just in inside the box, the ball nestling in the corner. 1-0 up and in control.
The 2nd half was to be more of the same with us defending well and playing with belief and composure all around the park. Once again a ball over the top from Kev was to put the game well into our control when George lobbed the keeper before rounding him to push the ball home in to the empty net. Jordan did a good job as a shield, preventing their full back an easy access to the ball. 2-0.
George squandered the best chance we were to have after this when a scuffed left footed shot went harmlessley wide having been put through on goal. This was not to matter however as the team then saw out the game with intelligence and ease, preparing for the next 60 minutes that was just as important as the first. Ollie came on to gain more match practice and add a bit of energy in the middle and foz came on for Alex at left back to freshen things up.
A clean sheet was mightily important and this was preserved through a lot of good work by all concerned. Jake made a good save at his near post and Sam was giving no yardage to any of their tricky attackers, whilst Jonathan was mopping up aerialy and putting in some great challenges and both full backs were dealing comfortably with their respective wingers.
MOM went to Charlie who carried on where he left off the previous week and was a nuisance down the right hand side, he also took his goal with aplomb, a performance that was down much to his ability but also to abstaining from a certain relaxant before the game!!
