Goals from Dean wood (2), Davey Collins and Stephen Lacken (2) ensured a happy return to Grange park Rovers for Stephen Lacken, James Bland, Dean Wood, Dale Challender, Tommy Gregory, Tom Flannery, Ted Weaver and star man Will Griffin.
Pheasey started off with their trademark sluggish start, sloppy passes, misjudging balls, both of these contributing to the goal they conceded. A long ball hoofed over the top, with their striker latching onto it and volleying over Tom Flannery. As in last weeks game, this was the moment Pheasey decided to wake up and start playing some football. several times the away side carved open the GPR back four but to no avail, there was great passing moves, dominant defending, real football! Then game the moment that had been coming, Grimshaw knocked the ball down to Wood who ventured into the box and riffled left footed under the keeper. Then came the 9 corners in a row, with the GPR team seemingly erecting a brick wall in front of their goal to deny the barrage from Pheasey. Both teams going in at 1-1, the home team delighted, the away teams assistant manager furious the game isn't out of site.
Pheasey started the second half just like they played most of the first, total dominance, then the moment we had been waiting for, Gregory floated in a corner to the back post and Collins was on hand to nod it in inside the back stick, 2-1, thoroughly deserved!! After several opportunities to increase the lead, the moment came through an injury to Bland, coming off as Pheasey win a corner, to be replaced by Lacken, who strolled into the box, and Gregorys delivery was top notch, as it had been all day, Lacken re-introduced himself to the GPR faithful with a powerful header with his first touch, only being on the pitch 2 seconds! Five minutes later he popped up again with only his second touch, latching on to Collins' flick over to header past the keeper again, 2 touches, 2 goals, magical substitution from the gaffer. Pheasey continued to batter the GPR defence, with both full backs camped in a very advanced position, and both centre backs playing with such confidence it oozed through the team, which encouraged the centre of the park to boss the park, power, direct running, great passing, this was football at its best. The icing on the cake was Wood scoring his second, scoring from yet another corner, the term set piece demons comes into mind, Gregory the supplier yet again!! 5-1 and the resounding buoyancy from the ex grange park players, and those others who knew what this game meant to these lads. the game was soured when their central midfielder kicked out at Clarke who then stood his ground, only for their other players to get involved, it was petulant and wreaked of humiliation. it was a sensational performance from the boys, bring on the drakes drum next week.
Oh and shout out to Will Griffin, playing out of position at centre back, yet played with a composure of someone who had played there his whole career!!
