1 DOWN 3 MORE TOO GO...
AND
WE SPOILT THE CHAMPIONSHIP CELEBRATIONS FOR NEW ELTHAM...
We knew before kickoff that we needed to win all four of our last games of the season, to be crowned Champions. But we also knew that New Eltham wouldn’t be no easy push over, after them beating us 4 – 0 earlier in the season!!
Taxi opted to go back to the 4 – 4 – 2 formation. The main changes were Phil in for Kyle on the left of midfield and Darren partnering Ben T up top with Rooney switching out to the right wing!
From kick off it seemed we carried on from last week, we held possession well, spraying the ball from left to right. New Eltham couldn’t get to grips with the pace of the game. Barry and Stocky in the centre midfield run the game from the outset, from simple one twos, too Stocky producing 30 yard cross field passes! They made it seem SO simple!!
The 1st chance of the game fell to Darren. He was picked out by an outstanding chip over the top from Stocky that put him through on goal. Darren unfortunately saw his effort go well and truly over! (ROW Z COMES TO MIND) WE KNEW THEN THAT AGAIN WE COULD USE DARRENS PACE TO OUR ADVANTAGE!!!
Our dominance in possession paid off when again Barry and Stocky played some beautiful one touch football in the centre of the park. Barry looked up and then produced a delightful ball into the path of Ben T who had a simple touch to score his 16th goal of the season! IT’S EXACTLY WHAT WE NEEDED, TO TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF US!
We didn’t do what we had done in previous weeks and sit back after our goal. We kept spreading the play, Phil on the left saw a lot more of the ball than usual and was a constant threat for us. If it wasn’t Phil dribbling and crossing it was Rooney on the right doing the same, surely our 2nd goal wouldn't be long in coming!!!
Our 2nd goal did come but it wasn’t a spectacle for the supporters on the side lines. Phil swung in an in swinger from the right which after a scramble on the penalty spot landed at the feet of Darren. All he had to do is swing his boot at it to bring his tally for the season to 12 in 14 games!!
HALF TIME 2 NIL UP...
For the first time in weeks there wasn’t any petty arguing but encouragement being said between everyone!!
The 2nd half kicked-off and again we dominated the ball in mid-field and created chance after chance but couldn’t convert. It seemed so easy why couldn’t we play like it week in week out?!
Our 3rd goal came through the likely out-let in Rooney. The assist goes to Stocky, who picked out probably “the ball of the season” with the outside of his right boot, straight into the path of Rooney. Rooney put his head down where a lot of players wouldn’t have dared, and managed to glance it past the keeper!! 3 – 0 AND NOTHING MORE THAN WE DESERVED!!!
New Eltham got on the score sheet soon after our goal against the run of play. Their winger threaded the ball through our flat footed defence, and there striker had an easy finish past the advancing Ben.
WHEN THEY SCORED THE GOAL I HEARD WAYNE BEHIND ME SAY “OH NO”!!
Like in recent weeks I reckon Wayne thought we were going to fold after conceding but we done the opposite! Rooney and Darren then switched positions and straight away we got our rewards. Rooney returned the favour to Stocky. After picking up the ball on the far left, Rooney beat the defender, looked up, spotted Stocky’s run and picked out a peach of a cross. All Stocky had to do is nod past the keeper at the back post.
FINAL WHISTLE 4 – 1
Eltham fan 30 spectators ready for their celebrations but we spoilt the party!!
BRING ON STRICKLAND NEXT WEEK – WE COULD CALL THIS ‘THE CHAMPIONSHIP DESIDER’
