SHERPA 0 SWINEFLEET FC 4
Swinefleet’s defence of the Centurion Cup began with an emphatic victory away at Second Division Sherpa. The game was totally dominated by Swinefleet who played wonderful pass and move football throughout, showing a great example of composure and keeping the ball. Swinefleet showed the same quality play they had shown in the pre-season friendly 0-0 draw with Thorne Colliery and the pre-season 3-1 victory over Holme Rovers.
With most of Swinefleet’s play starting from the back with centre-backs Will Sparkes and Scot Jackson either spreading it to the full-backs of Liam Cooper and Gareth Welsh, or finding the feet of Aaron Raymond in centre-midfield
Close chances were created early on with Cohen Vause hitting a post on 12 minutes, Matty Eastwood just inches wide with a shot on 16 minutes and a great run and shot from Vause again on 19 minutes only centimetres wide. Swinefleet thought they had scored on 24 minutes when a Vause free-kick was bent around the wall, but the Sherpa keeper pulled off a world class save to keep the score-line level.
With Swinefleet keeping the ball well and pressing forward down either flanks through Regan Allen and Tony Nicholls, it was only a matter of time before the first goal came. A tremendous 25 yard ball from Raymond picked up the cross-field run of Vause for him to round the keeper and place the ball into the empty net on 31 minutes.
After the interval, Swinefleet introduced 16 year-old Keir Vause on his debut, replacing the energetic Nicholls, and again Swinefleet were on the attack. A cross from the right from Cooper was dummied by the youngster Vause, for older brother Cohen, to have a simple tap-on on 56 minutes.
Six minutes later the silky skills of Niall Barker was introduced into the action, replacing the hard-working Eastwood, and on 67 minutes Swinefleet extended their lead with a good finish from Keir Vause. Sherpa responded with a thunderous drive on 72 minutes with Swinefleet keeoper Jamie ward just managing to tip the ball over for a corner. The final goal of the match came on 86 minutes with Regan Allen rounding off a fine match after being out through by the Turkish international Sonny Akan.
The Reece Lumley Sponsored Man of the Match Award went to Aaron Raymond.
Next week Swinefleet are at home at South Park v Barnetby Utd. Players to meet at Park at 1.00pm.
