Despite having 7 men, Olympique LMB produced an energetic and composed display to see off the tough tackling fatties of RHPS.
LMB raced into a 3 goal lead thanks to alert play from Crozier and Sickyx2 which had the ‘Fat Pikeys’ (copywrite P.Parrot) bickering amongst themselves from the off. A couple of defensive lapses and some tough but, according to the ref, fair challenges allowed RHPS to score twice in quick succession. LMB however didn’t panic and their superior movement and passing accuracy ensured they took control of the game. Rowan was in the wars and got a whack to the nuts, “he did that on purpose” and a knock to the knee for which he had to leave the field briefly, but he was soon back in the thick of the action.
A couple of screamers into the top bin from Tooby and Phil had LMB back on track and further goals from Kieran, Sicky and Rowan plus an exquisite own goal from a Crozier cross put LMB 9-2 up at half time.
More of the same was the call after the break as the fatties fitness (or lack of) further told. Brett and Croz had gilt edged chances to add to the rout but managed to fluff (Crozier comedically fell over with the goal gaping) and just miss chances from Sicky crosses, but they made up for them (or Brett did!) by nicking the ball off the motionless RHPS defender and burying the shot. LMB then went through a period in which they had many chances including ‘at least 50’ one on ones without being able to put them away. Sicky, Croz, and Phil all had good chances and Putter’s wedge was more in evidence than his onion bag breaker before a he put away two well taken goals from Sicky and Phil through balls. Crozier scored with his right foot from a Rowan ball off the boards and finally finished a one on one as once again LMB’s movement caused problems in the RHPS defence.
Sicky curled one into the top right corner and Phil and Rowan finished off well after more good passing work from the entire team. RHPS managed to get a couple of consolation goals past an unsighted Griffin but he generally wasn’t troubled due to astute defending and good positioning, and he was able to start off LMB attacks at will with accurate throws. Brett got his final goal with a curious Tooby Two-footer which flummoxed their keeper and nestled in the far corner. It fell to Rowan to complete the rout with another good finish from a Crozier ball.
All in all it was an excellent performance from the entire team with everyone cool and collected on the ball, making runs and tracking the RHPS players as they grunted around the pitch. The final scoreline could have been much more with some slightly more clinical finishing but everyone enjoyed the return to winning ways. Rowan deserves special mention for his constant running and ability to be kicked but MOTM went to Sicky for his all round performance (not chosen by me!) and managerial nous (ha).
