A composed second half performance from a weary LMB saw off the threat of a physical but undermanned Kings of Deon side. After 5 minutes of low-key action, Kings of Deon made the first move when the LMB defence went missing and presented the Kings with an easy finish past the stranded Griffles in goal. A determined effort from the jet-lagged Sam levelled the game, before Griffiths opened his LMB account with a low finish (that smashed out of the sidenetting) from Sweetman’s pass. Tooby then produced a mesmeric backheel that scythed open the opposing defence and presented Taylor with a simple finish. LMB should have added more goals but Patto hit the bar and had a well-worked left-footed effort from a Crozier cut-back saved, before Kings of Deon hit back to level the game at 3-3 with some physical play, with one of their goal’s scored by a rather plump fellow who knocked the ball past Toobs (from a standing start) and finished with the outside of his foot. Yes, Toobs “got done by a fat man”.
After another 10 minutes of tired stalemate, the second half erupted as the Kings substituted their one determined defender and capitulated inside 5 minutes. Sweetman began the rout when his goalbound toe-poke was helped on its way beyond the keeper by a panicked defender, before Neil added his second after Sweetman’s ball intersected the defence. Neil then returned the favour to Sweetman for LMB’s sixth, before yet another passage of simple passing lead to Crozier playing in Toobs. Kings of Deon momentarily threatened with two soft goals, but Griffin kept them at bay for the rest of the half with his unique style and the help of the woodwork. In the final minutes Patto added two goals after yet more excellent team play ended with an exchange of passes between Griffiths and Patto in the final third, while Griffiths added his second from a well-won Sam ball and Crozier tucked away a rebounded Griffiths shot. As the referee lifted the whistle to his lips, Neil struck one last blow from distance that screamed into the far corner to complete his hat-trick and an excellent second half team performance (that saw every single outfield player score).
It was a close call for this week’s Man of the Match award between Neil (for his composed finishing that dampened Kings of Deon spirits) and Griffiths (for continual running, two goals and three assists), but unfortunately Neil made my decision easier by producing a truly awful trademark backheel inside the opening 10 minutes straight to an opposing player in our half, so well done Griffiths!
