In the hunt for goals after a recent drought it was good to have Hartrick back in the fold. The team set out from the start on the front foot and didn’t look back. The Revs, as is so often the case, dominated proceedings but could not get that goal. There was intent early on when J. Evans smashed the ball into the side netting, snatching at the shot. Hartrick, showing signs of ring rust, was equally wasteful in the opening exchanges hitting a few high, wide and mighty.
But The Revs were camped in the opposition half until that goal was scored. The passing and movement was joyful at times and the defence snuffed out any opportunity the opposition had of even entering The Revs half. Eventually The Revs got their just reward after the 10 minute mark when further pressure lead to a corner that Tyman whipped in for Beardall to connect with on the near post and in it fizzed.
That was the breakthrough that was needed for some weeks now. And buoyed by the goal another soon followed after L. Evans brilliantly kept the ball in out wide after a barn storming run from the back. He fired the ball into the area and it pinged off the post and greatfully landed at the feet of The Revs fox in the box, Hartrick.
The next few minutes saw The Revs look for further goals but it ended 2-0 at the break. The frustrating aspect is for all their dominance, The Revs only held a slender 2 goal advantage.
The second half got under way and everyone was as they were. The passing and movement creating space and opportunities, key players like Beardall and Allen allowed time on the ball to pick out the runs of others. Steane, who admits he did not have much to do, started play from the back passing out wide to Allen. Allen spotted the run of J. Evans, who peeled off his marker and lofted the ball into his path. Evans drew the remaining defender and keeper and delicately flicked the ball into Hartrick who put the ball away into an empty goal for his second.
The Revs were purring now.
A fourth followed soon after with L. Evans producing another barn storming run with the ball and teeing up Hartrick to complete his hatrick with a fine smash into the bottom corner. The Revs were winning comfortably now at a stroll.
For a moment or two though they took their foot off the gas and allowed the opposition a rare attack. Steane saved one effort quite comfortably, but when the defence retreated he could do nothing about the smash and grab into the bottom corner. One lapse of concentration would not ruin the game though.
The Revs camped in the opposition half once more and further chances went begging. P. Pinkstone even trying to get in on the act due to little action at the back with two opportunities to grab his 50th spurned by tired legs in the end.
Near the stroke of full time The Revs capped the display off with a 5th goal, once again assisted by L. Evans with the finish applied by Tyman for a resounding 5-1 victory ending the goal drought and back on the winning trail.
If we have to be critical there is still work to be done in front of goal and the margin of victory should have been much wider. The chasm between the sides defied The Replaceables league position as they were outclassed, out fought and out played by The Revs.
The one mark on the victory was an injury to J. Evans 10 minutes from time. It is still to be seen how long he’ll be on the sidelines.
But onwards and upwards boys. Goals, goals and three points! RTID!
