Riva dont half give us a good match. How they have only won three games all season i do not know.
Again they were fit, quick and physical and really put us to the sword. However instead of cutting our throats on this sword as in the previous week, we smashed it out the way with another sword.
The message before the game was stay on your feet, be physical and no mouth. Other than Richys booking for gobbing and Scouser falling on his arse within 2 seconds, we adhered to all the above. We were under the kosh straight away when they came out of the blocks quick, however a solid midfield who kept there shape, and a back line who cut the threat of their two strikers out. To be fair to them they did have a couple of good early chances, however Jock was like velcro, nothing got pass his hands, and Shane also saved us with his pie arse when he charged down a shot.
They did take an early lead, and the goal was definatly preventable, our back line pushed up to high, did not get the offside decision and their striker ran through, Jock pulled of a great save however AGAIN we did not react to the second ball.
This gave our attacking instincts a nudge in the right direction. Paul was distributing well at the back to the midfield and through balls to the wing and Lilla. Our goal came from Paul who floated a through ball to Chrispy, who then put Barry in on the edge of the area. A 5 yard pass sideways for Lilla saw us go into half time at 1-1.
Start strong start strong, message taken and two quick goals knocked the stuffing out of Riva. Chrispy fired us into the lead with a well taken goal after a flick on from Mike. Richy had a hand in our third goal when he won a 50-50 challenge that sent Lilla through on his own, goal keeper to beat....Never in doubt 3-1.
To Rivas credit they did come back at us, however we were compact and other than a few occasions when they did get through we looked strong. Richy left the field after a knock and in came Christer into left midfield. This caused a reshuffle with Barry stepping back into midfield and meggsy going up behind Lilla. Barry did a job on their number eight and poor old meggsy had his work cut out with their Andre the giant, but he stuck at it.
Our fourth goal saw Barry slot through Meggsy for a simple tap in and three point were going back to the mecca Branksome Rec. Still Riva came at us and Arkan the warlord slotted in a second for Riva.
After two lucky escapes when we really should have had a penalty against us, and a goal, we then went and got a five goal, Lilla completing a well deserved hat-trick. Olly and Crapper that's how you do it!!!!!!!!!!
Could have been six, but as Christer put it 'i was just thinking about what corner i was going to put it in'.
Man Of The Match
Paul Francis - Solid and always looking to play the ball out rather than hoof it. (Bet that hurts Army).
Lilla Wyness - Brilliant target man, held everything up, chased their two centre backs down and finished with aplomb.
This week sees us against Priory Quays and three points as ever are a must
