With the last season ending on a high after a superb run in, the break between seasons probably wasn’t needed as The Revs wanted to continue the momentum.
So when faced with new opposition, the team tends to go into their shell a little, stand off the opposition and see what they can do first before finally start playing already a few goals down.
However, this new found confidence and desire, this was not the case on a hot, sweaty evening. From the start The Revs took it to the opposition with Hartrick and Steane combining really well on several occasions and Evans with an early chance intercepting the keeper’s punt with a header that narrowly went wide.
The Revs did finally get the break through after penning The Replaceables in their own half for long periods. It was the combination of Steane-Hartrick as Hartrick kept the ball in athletically to then cross the ball into the path of a marauding Steane who calmly place past the keeper with his left.
Moments later the favour was returned as Steane put Hartrick in this time who powered past a despairing keeper.
2 nil to the good in no time at all and the opposition had not really had a foray into The Revs half. However, in true Revs style the team sat back, rested on their laurels as if the job was done. The Replaceables had a good chuck of possession. It was harmless possession but this was a lesson early in the season. Against better opposition this could have been disastrous.
However, The Revs kicked back up a gear and were soon in the goals again. Beardall’s sterling work up and down the pitch getting just reward when closing the keeper down and the ball ricocheting off Beardall and into the back of the net.
Then just before half time a 4th went in after a spell of pressure led to another corner. Hartrick whipped a stinging ball into the danger zone for Tyman to hit sweetly on the half volley.
The Revs, in the second half, took their foot off the pedal in all honesty. P. Pinkstone and Myers did not have a great deal to do at the back, but at times the game play got scrappy and The Revs got too deep. Silly passes and wayward shots did not help the cause either. The opposition didn’t have the weapons to take advantage, but The Revs have played better and lost.
The second half should have been a goal fest in all honesty and at times it wasn’t for lack of trying. D. Pinkstone had a one on one butt he keeper smothered it, Hartrick ballooned over from close range when he would normally gobble them up, Evans lobbed the keeper from Myers through ball but the keeper got finger tips to it and D. Pinkstone had a further effort crash off the cross bar and the rebound was too quick to react to. The ball just would not go in.
In and amongst this was Steane running things from an advanced midfield position. He was up and down that pitch doing what he does best – no, not the obvious handball – but the pest that he is to the opposition. He was at the heart of everything going forward in some way or another.
Finally a 5th goal did come from Tyman after Steane had won possession and put Hartrick in who passed into Tyman, who then rounded the keeper and blasted it into the back of the goal.
At the death the 6th and final goal came and Steane was rewarded a further goal for his efforts with Evans taking down the ball from a Myers boot up the pitch, knocking it square to Beardall who drew his man and slipped Steane in. A nice little team goal to cap it off.
So yes, it was a brilliant 6 nil win, but The Revs have set themselves a standard and need to be at it for the entire game as better teams will punish.
But let’s not dwell on that, it took an entire half season to register 3 points last season, so match day 1 has delivered 3 points and a resounding win! It was good to be back, it was good to see the lads playing with a smile and it was good to know that they can up it a gear as and when needed.
There will be harder games to come, of that I am sure, but this team is in the groove at the moment and enjoying their football.
Is it too soon to start thinking top 3 maybe?
