Injuries, Work and Holidays reduced us to a bare eleven but even with some of the 11 players carrying knocks we were just too strong for Abacus. Josh's hat trick polished off a diamond of a team performance.
For the first 20 minutes we struggled to find any real tempo; credit to Abacus who worked hard to break up our passing game but once in possession they lacked any real penetration resorting to Eddie Waring up and under tactics. In this period we were a bit of a mish mash and a bit below par by our own high standards; out -musceled up top, too much hollywood in the middle and wild at the back.
Around the half hour mark we started tp play with more freedom and confidence. Neil made some positive runs, Mark was finding room for goal attempts and Ryan and Sam were prizing openings. In the background Darryl and Josh were working hard to create a screen in front of the back three as well as a platform for our forward play. The fact that Josh was often forced to play square with Darryl who was our holding player reflected Abacus's attempts to bypass our midfield with their ariel game.
In the second half we were a different proposition. Sam and Olli dropped a couple of yards off their rigid back four. Within a minute Neil went on a box to box rampage, his cross found Sam who was still on his interval break and the chance slid by. In the 48th minute Josh drove just wide from Darryls clever pass. In the 52nd Neil repeated his rampaging run but his whipped cross just eluded our forwards. Their 'keeper made some outstanding saves before Neil, Sam and Mark worked an opening for Josh who's drive was too hot for the 'keeper to hold, 1-0 to us.
In the 67th it was our twist on route one when Revill's quick clearance was headed on by Mark to Josh who's reflex header released Sam who slotted for 2-0. We were rampant. A seven pass move thro' George, Ryan and Olli eventually found Mark who's fierce drive was just tipped over. A minute later a similar right hand sweeping move saw Josh slip Mark in but the 'keeper made another fine save. In the 70th Abacus pulled one back when Revill was flattened (fairly!) and Bill couldn't scoop out a scrambled effort. At the restart Mark held the ball up whilst Josh sprinted towards the box, Mark lofted a ball towards Josh who was too strong for two closing defenders, his chest control was all power and finesse enabling him to ute a conrolled lob over the advancing 'keeper to restore our lead at 3-1. With Abacus finding a way back into the game, making full use of their subs whilst we were starting to look a bit leggy, that quick thinking from Mark and extra quality from Josh killed of Abacus and lifted our game.
For the final 20 minutes we were on another level. Some of our passing moves did run out of steam as we succumbed to fatigue and injury but we continued to try to play the right way. We were rewarded twice towards the end. In the last 5 minutes Neil, Josh and Mark found the energy for a right sided pulsating move which Olli finished with a controlled low volley. On the left Ryan, Sam and Josh combined in similar slick fashion which saw Josh net our 5th and his hat trick for 5-1.
The referee said the game was a priviledge to officiate with both sides playing with good discipline and The Association in particular playing sparkling football.I agree.
Most pleasing today was the way in which Darryl and Josh (MOM) put in very disciplined defensive performances - this provided a platform for the whole team, notably Kyle, Bill, Neil and Mark to put in very strong individual performances. We can still do better, our decision making can be improved as can our movement on and off the ball but for today this result was a deserved reward for another good team performance.
