Hello chaps
Loft gave me the priveledge of writing the match report this week.
Steveo is on hold till next week!!
Here goes....
Congratulations gentleman!
What A cracking attitude we had.
This ensured a cracking performance and gave us a semi final spot which I firmly believe we can take advantage of this time round.
I take my hat off to you.
The main thing I thought we needed to be was positive - create a positive atmosphere and generate confidence so we all went out and played the way we know we can.
Everybody did this without fail, especially Darryl.
The team were solid across the park - people did their jobs, what we know we can do and should be doing week in week out - the confidence was back and it was pleasing to see everyone play so well, not just one or 2 of us but the whole team.
Darryl was the star of the show, with a magnificent performance, running at the opposition defence and unleashing shots from all over the place, right foot and left.
This was a perfect response after letting himself down last week when subbed.
Spagey deservedly reclaimed his spot on the left flank, after some cracking play in training.
Danny 'Cudicini' Long was a commanding and calming influence between the sticks and I think this settled us down after last weeks crazy show by the Coynester, who was happy to make his first start of the season.
Graham Bell was solid with some crunching tackles in midfield, which we all know makes us tick when he plays like this.
He was complemented well by Alfie whose work rate was again outstanding.
Pad & Steveo (despite an outburst at the ref) were solid and dealt with their so called 24 goal threat with ease.
Richie swapped defensive flanks for Coyneo to slot in at Left Back.
Both gave their winger support and were solid in defence.
Giles and Terry were busy front runners and were a threat throughout.
Both subs were patient and made an impact when they entered the foray.
Loft played with confidence and showed a sublime touch, as did Chinders, aka Pascal Chindbonda!!
We knew that this mob were a decent outfit as they had won by several goals in most of their games this season, so our gameplan was to get amongst them in numbers and ruffle their feathers.
We hunted in packs and didnt give them time to settle on the ball, where the pitch deemed most players needed and extra touch.
When we got the ball we were positive with it.
We ran at them, passed and moved with good support and nice options.
After a decent amount of pressure on their goal we went ahead when Spagey delivered a tremendous pin point corner from the right for Graham Bell to leap like the Salmon that he is and head firmly into the net.
A perfect start - well deserved.
This gave us confidence and we played some nice neat football on a tricky pitch, despite some misplaced passess we continued to cause them problems.
Our second goal came when Darryl receieved from Richie Bell and his shot took a deflection and looped over the goalie into the net. Nice.
Soon after we gave ourself a nice 3 goal cushion.
Darryl was prominent once more, now causing mayhem with his mazy runs.
Daz ran at their defence across the box from right to left and guided the ball perfectly into the bottom corner with his left foot.
Great goal.
With Azzurri's first sustained bit of pressure in our half the referee adjudged that Charlie Bell's crunching tackle was too much.
He cleared the fella out but it may have been a 2 footer slightly off the ground.
Anywhere else on the pitch we would have been loving that, but Bell stated " I shouldn't have gone in like that in the box. It was a mistake"
We forgive the lad though as we love that shit.
No more in the box please sunshine! ;)
In past weeks we could have let our heads go down however, thankfully we stayed positive, realising that we had battered this mob for the first half hour and we should probably continue to do so.
So 3-1 at the break - not a lot to say at half time.
A lovely bit of team spirit was shown with our new team huddle! Go teamstats!!
The second half had less goals but the result was never in doubt as our confidence increased and we played some lovely football, with some cracking football and passing moves reminiscent of Arsenal (have that danny and spagey! you did get the spurs team spirit pic laminated didnt ya!)
We could have scored more with some better finishing but we have to shoot to score and it proves the more you shoot the more go in.
As we tired a little across the park AC put a bit of pressure on but no shots, which was a testament to our resolute defending as we dealt with everything well, with Danny's safe hands making up the back 5 nicely.
We sealed the deal in the final minutes with a nice move down the right.
Darryl was involved again and made a strong run down the flank.
Spagey, after a fine performance, was hungry for a goal and yelled for Dazzer to cross to him.
Daz decided he wanted his hatrick and casually smashed the ball past the keeper into the roof of the net.
Nobody could argure that he deserved it - no you cant keep the new nike match ball though son!
Well done boys for showing what we can do when we apply ourselves correctly and play with belief in your ability.
The next few weeks are important as we face Southern Rangers Old Boys who are 2nd and the Cup Semi Final against Hikers the week after.
I believe we owe them both one.
Let leave it at that and let the performance on the pitch do the talking as we did this past Saturday.
Tony 'Mourihno' Coyne aka Wayne Roberto Carlos Bridge
