Following last week’s 7-1 rout of Ferryhill Dynamos, Sacriston faced a Washington Cross Keys outfit that had started the season well and it looked a difficult game on paper.
On a muddy welfare pitch the banana splits were again down to the bare bones, with the only changes to the side being the two wee willy Wilsons coming back into the starting line-up, in place of in-form striker Sam, and so called ‘bad boy of the year’ Aaron White who couldn’t handle his drink the night before. Club veteran Gav returned and took up the only slot on the bench.
Sacriston were in a buoyant mood heading into the game, following the exciting news that a deal had finally been struck to bring village favourite Craig Laddie to the club; shirt sales have already been boosted by the signing and a bumper crowd turned out for the game, on the off chance of catching a glimpse of the Ginger Messi in the crowds.
The game kicked off and within minutes Segga were forced into making there only change, with the ‘Dynamo Destoryer’ Pissy Renwick coming off with a groin strain, and in the process losing his claim as Leeden Hazard, and dropping down in the rankings to Jeff WhitLee.
Club icon Gav was more than happy to come on for Lee, and it was Sacriston’s prodigal son himself who gave the home side the lead after just 10 minutes, tapping the ball home at the far post following some excellent work from lively Luke who fired the ball across the face of goal.
Segga continued to put the pressure on the opposition and made it 2 shortly after, with Davey Winter playing the ball across goal for lovely Luke who finished calmly into the back of the net.
Sacriston almost made it 3, minutes later, when a clever freekick by Gav found Skipper Summers completely unmarked in-front of goal, unfortunately the fluffy chested warrior’s volley was not quite up to Lauren Robert standards, and the big centre half’s wait to get off the mark for the season goes on. Maybe he’s swapped roles with Chalky this year …
Dan then got in on the goals and made it 3-0 after 20 minutes, following further good work the impressive Luke found himself unlucky not to score, with his strike rebounding back of the post to the feet of the Weasel, who made no mistake in finding the net.
As Sacriston continued to dominate it was the man who had a hand in all three previous goals, that scored the fourth, with luscious Luke picking up the ball from Finch before going on a solo run, taking the ball passed a number of defenders and finishing beautifully into the bottom corner.
Washington’s confidence was getting lower and lower as Sacriston continued to pummel the away side, completely dominating from back to front, with Ben, Finch and Gav covering the ground brilliantly in the middle of the park allowing the front three to run riot up top.
Segga then got their fifth of the game on the half hour mark, when the Italian waiter Wilson’s cross wasn’t cleared sufficiently, and Davey Winter was on hand to fire home from the six yard box.
The one-armed bandit then got his second, and Sacriston’s sixth of the game, tapping home the rebound from lukewarm Luke’s shot, which was cleared off the line.
Sacriston were in seventh heaven on 40 minutes, as Winter sealed his hat-trick, picking up Minty Sanderson’s not so mint shot, and tapping home yet again for one of the easiest hat-tricks he’ll ever score.
Sacriston had played a brilliant half, and were largely untroubled at the back, with Summers, Dean, Tom and Adam keeping a solid line and effectively catching the opposition strikers offside on numerous occasions. Just before half time Cross Keys did get in behind the defence and Davies slid in and brought the striker down, with the referee pointing to the spot. The Washington striker stepped up, and blazed the ball way over the bar, summing up Washington’s first half performance.
Half time came and it was undoubtedly one of the best half’s Segga had played all season, with some brilliant pass and move football that Pep Guardiola would be proud of.
The second half begun and Sacriston made it 8 after 55 minutes; Dean’s in-swinging corner was right on the money and the keeper flapped the ball straight to Newby, who finished clinically into the bottom corner for his second of the game.
Sacriston’s ninth, and final goal of the game came on 70 minutes, when a clever through ball by Niel put Man of the Match Winter in on goal, and the hat-trick man rounded the keeper and placed the ball into the empty net for his fourth of the game; much to the disappointment of lustful Luke who wanted the ball squared for his hat-trick, there’s always next week!
The game then went into somewhat of a lull with very little action taking place over the final 20 minutes, with Sacriston naturally taking their foot off the gas slightly, having more than done the job.
Washington forced Davies into a couple of smart saves before finally getting their goal shortly before full time, when they controversially broke the offside trap and squared the ball for a tap in, with most of Segga’s backline switching off, waiting for the offside whistle to be blown.
Overall it was an exceptional performance by the custards who are definitely getting back to playing their best football. Last game of the year next week away to Red Lion where we’ll welcome back more firepower with Sammy Renwick returning to the squad; but we all remember it was his less attractive brother Lee who stole the headlines last time we faced Red Lion away, sparking wild celebrations after curling home succulently for his first goal for the Ice Army.
#uptheclub #icearmy #hellotimmy
