WHAT A DIFFERENTCE 7 DAYS MAKES!? A TOTALLY DISSIMILAR GAME FROM START TO FINISH!
Before kickoff we had the news that we were going to be without Ben (keeper) for the 1st time this season, due to illness! After ringing around numerous different players we got lucky and Bradley stepped up to the mark and nominated himself to go between the sticks for the 1st time.
From having only 10 players last week, we were back up to 13 with a new signing of left sided Defender / Midfielder Danny, who made his 1st substitute appearance today and done really well in the time he had. Taxi opted to bring Stocky, Darren and Terry back into the starting line-up after last week’s disaster show!
From kickoff we showed Hoppers that we meant business, with Ben T up top with Rooney it gave us a different dimension which totally confused Hoppers. Our midfield with the addition of Stocky and Darren were running Hoppers ragged and we knew our opening wouldn’t be long in coming if we kept the pressure on!!
It did come but not how we expected. It came through our usual outlet in Rooney but from near enough on the half way line. Rooney in “Rooney like” fashion tracked back and won the ball in our own half. He turned and ran towards their goal, he looked up and in “Beckham like” fashion chipped the keeper!! I think we are divided if he did or didn’t mean it, but with his goal ratio for the Station I’m going to give I’m the benefit of the doubt. GOAL OF THE SEASON BY A LONG SHOT!!
Instead of sitting back on our 1 goal advantage we kept going at Hoppers. Our main outlet was from Barry and Darren using their pace to get in behind their defence. It became evident that all we had to do is pick out their diagonal run and they would end up 1 on 1.
With that in mind Darren as usual got on the score sheet, not just once but a 1st half hat-trick. All 3 goals were similar to each other, the only difference between them was the person with the assists. This is what Darren is all about, PACE AND IMMENSE FINISHING Hoppers couldn’t handle him.
A QUALITY 1ST HALF HAT-TRICK FROM THE RIGHT WING AINT BAD!?
During Darren’s scoring spree Hoppers got themselves on the score sheet through the unlikely source of our full back Little Dean. From a long throw and a flicked on header it rebounded off Dean’s forehead into the top corner. Bradley didn’t stand a chance not even little Ben would of got near it!
4 – 1 HALF TIME AINT BAD WHEN THEIR GOAL WAS A FLUKE AND WE DIDNT HAVE A RECOGNISED KEEPER!
The 2nd half started as we finished we were in total control. Stocky and Nick in the centre were bossing the game completely. Stocky picked up the ball and out of nowhere slotted in Rooney who on his left foot found the far right corner from the edge of the box. KEEPER NO CHANCE AND WE WERE FLYING!
Hoppers got themselves back into the game with a bit of luck. They had a shot from distance which Brad knows he should have collected with ease but could only parry into the path of their striker, who then side footed it past him. THEY NEVER DESERVED THAT AND THEY KNEW IT BUT WE WERE STILL TOTTALLY ON TOP!!
We were soon bought back down to earth when the Ref gave Hoppers the most ridiculous penalty, to the amazement of ALL 22 players on the pitch. The Hoppers left winger went on a mazy run past me then Wayne, but Wayne managed to slide in and take the ball at the last minute. It was a great tackle God knows what the Ref saw to award the penalty?! Hoppers Captain stepped up and converted past Bradley with ease.
5 – 3 AND WE WERE STARTING TO WOBBLE!
We had the last chance of the game and it fell to Ben T. It was probably the best opening of the game! Stocky again the provider of a great through ball which put Ben 1 on 1. Ben I think had too much time on his hands and smashed his shot straight at the Hoppers keeper. BEN DESERVED A GOAL BUT IT WERENT TO BE TODAY!!
GOOD RESULT TODAY TO KEEP OUR CHANCES OF GRABBING THAT 2ND SPOT IN THE LEAGUE!
NEXT WEEK IS A TOUGHER TEST AGAINST PECKHAM TOWN IN THE CUP, IF WE CAN HAVE A FULL SQUAD THEN WE WILL GIVE THEM A PROPER CUP TIE!!!!
