ABSOLUTE MUST WIN GAME!!!
The score line doesn’t do us any justice, it could and should of been in double figures!!
Taxi had the luxury of having 14 players to choose a starting 11 from, which i don’t think was an easy decision for him. He went again for the 4-5-1 with Rooney up top on his own and Nick coming into the centre of mid-field for Barry.
From the outset we seemed to have the beating of Blighty. We had drew with this same team at the beginning of the season, but knew then and now that if we played like we can, it should be a walk in the park.
Within the first 2 minutes we could of easily of broken the dead lock when Darren used his pace, and found himself 1 on 1 with the keeper. His shot just swung wide of the far left post. We knew then that Darren had the beating of Blighty’s full back and it was there for us to exploit.
We did get the breakthrough we desperately needed and it was through Darren. He played off the shoulder of the full back and turned in a delightful cross from Rooney from 6 yards. The form Darrens in at the min in front of goal, we all knew that there would be more chances for him in this game to add to his advancing tally for the season.
Blightly responded well and started to play the ball around. The ball landed at the feet of their right winger who then beat Terry and whipped the ball into the heart of our penalty area. I don’t know if it was bad marking or a great header but their Striker/Captain headed into the bottom corner unchallenged. To be fair Little Ben had no chance. WE HAVE TO CUT OUT THESE DEFENSIVE MISTAKES!
We didn’t deserve to be level after 10 minutes. They had scored on that half chance and we had wasted countless chances in front of their goal.
Again it took Darren to give us the advantage. This time there was no mistakes, a great finish after Ben T put him through on goal. It was direct but slick passing through midfield that lead to the goal. We seemed to have the balance in the team that we had been missing.
Our left side of Phil and Kav seemed to be working a treat, which was our main threat in the first half. Phil not only hugs the line like a winger but plays in a ‘free’ role position which is always a bonus for the team when he plays. The centre-midfield trio also seemed to be gelling together, they started to take control of the game and boss where the ball went.
It was from some great play on our left side that Rooney ended his 4 game without a goal drought. Kav and Phil played a 1 2, and Phil then laid the ball inside to the advancing Rooney, with a drop of the shoulder he lost the defender and struck a low drive across the keeper into the bottom corner. 25 yards strike is a nice way to get back to scoring ways!!!
Now Rooney had the bit between his teeth, and when he is in this mood he is in our opinion ‘UNPLAYABLE’!!
His 2nd and 3rd of the game weren’t long in coming. His 2nd was a penalty which he won and converted himself. The defender who hacked him down would of been sent off in the modern professional game, but not in Sunday morning footy. His 3rd was typical route one material, Little Ben gathered in the ball and for the 3rd time this season picked out Rooney. Rooney didn’t have to a lot but run onto the ball and with his first touch lob it over the keepers head. GREAT 10 MINUTE HAT-TRICK FOR A GREAT STRIKER.
THIS BROUGHT ROONEY’S TALLY FOR THE SEASON TO 16 IN 15 GAMES! AINT BAD IS IT?
5 – 2 AT HALF TIME, ABOUT TIME ASWELL!!
When the 2nd half whistle went, Blightly were a transformed team. I don’t know what was said by their manager on the side in the interval but it definitely worked.
Blightly had a succession of 3 – 4 corners when they got their lucky break. The ball got crossed into the near post and after a scramble it ended up in Little Bens capable hands ON THE GOAL LINE. It was a close decision and God know how the Ref could see it, but the whistle went, HE GAVE THE GOAL!!
He must of had 20 - 20 vision or supernatural power to see through a barrage of players that the ball had fully crossed the line?
5 – 3 GAME ON!
We knew we had to start to bully the ball off Blighty, otherwise we could of ended up on the wrong end of a great come back, from a team no-where near as good as us. We held possession all round the park and made it very difficult for Blighty to play football or even get the ball. That’s the advantage of having 3 in the centre of mid-field. Our 3 in Ben T, Stocky and Nick are all naturally gifted football players who are very confident on the ball which helps take the pressure off the rest of us, with their fluent football.
The game became a bit boring which limited both teams to chances few and far between. One of our chances fell to in-form Darren, after a slack back pass which he latched onto, rounded the keeper only for his shot to be saved on the line by a defender.
We finally got our deserved goal through Phil, who did well to chase down a lost cause. Ben T went for goal from distance which the keeper done well to save down to the bottom left. The ball came back out to Phil who delicately chipped it over the keeper. WELL DESERVED GOAL FOR PHIL!!
FULL TIME 6 -3
BACK UP TO 2ND IN THE LEAGUE!!!!!!
