Management confidence in the whole squad showed in the players rested and in the starting line up. Although the Brickies came with just 10 players they would have needed more than 11 to trouble us now we're at the business end of the season. We're the holders of this most "Senior" Trophy and to retain it people will say that we will need to play better and to beat better teams. I say that we just need to beat whoever is in front of us each time we play and that's what we did today.
We did look a little disjointed at times but that's to be expected with the positional changes that we made. Credit to the central pairing of Dazza and Josh - it's just as difficult for central midfielders to adjust to changes at the top end as it is to adjust to changes behind in defence but they adapted very well and were the platform for much of our good forward play.
Kyle and Glen started out as front two and within 3 minutes Kyle looked to be through on goal but the 'keeper reacted quickest. A minute later an 8 pass move ended with a lovely cross from Olli and Dazza's gamble in attacking the space paid off as he opened the scoring at 1-0. In the 10th Sam and Olli showed that they were on the same wavelength when Olli's quick short corner led to a half chance for Sam. After 10 minutes Neil was slipped from his holding role to play centre forward while we pressed our men advantage. Going 3-4-3 gave us good top end posssession and in the 16th minute we strung 11 passes together, lateral and forward, before Josh drilled one over the bar. In the 25th minute Revills quick clearance (excellent distribution all game from Gary today) was neatly headed on by Josh to Sam who sprinted clear and chipped the 'keeper as he came off his line.
A 2-0 we were unable to press on and we seemed to lack urgency and zip in our play. We reverted to 3-5-2 15 minutes before the interval when they fielded another player and although we were never threatened we lacked the craft to extend our lead. 10 minutes before the interval Kyle was released by Olli to go one on one with the 'keeper but with too much time to decide whether to bury it or chip it he did neither and that reflected our lacklustre performance in the latter stages of the first half.
We reshuffled at the interval with Glen slotting in at right back and Joel and Pearcy being paired up top. The mood and rhythm of our game picked. Although Joel's no Wayne Rooney and obviously cant play with his back to goal his unorthodox approach coupled with Pearcy's pacey running off the ball seemed to unhinge them at the back. It has to be said that the top end pressing by Joel, Pearcy, Sam and Ollie was excellent in the second period all done at the right times in the right areas.
In the 47th minute Neil, prodded a ball though to Olli and his wonderful crossfield ball turned their defence and Pearcy darted through with a really smart finish to make it 3-0 - quality. In the 65th Joel looped a cross to Pearcy who was on hand to head home for 4-0. In the 72nd minute Olli picked the defender's pocket and played Pearcy in for a cool hat trick finish. In the 76th Olli forced a good double save from a busy 'keeper and in the 82nd he squared a ball across the edge of the 18 yard box to Joel who set himself well before finding the top corner - he can retire as striker with that goal! Dazza converted a sweet narrow angle volley 5 minutes before the end but it was ruled offside - unlucky
Although we were a bit patchy today we were never in any trouble and there was lots to admire. Josh and Darryl dominated in an unfussy way with plenty in reserve. Revill's distrbution was spot on, Chippy never gave them a look in. Ryan and Sam were just too powerful and slick down our left and Olli's wing play was vintage. Neil and Glen both put in good 90 minutes and Kyle and Billy both added to the mix with Andy and Joel icing the cake.
With Cobras going down 2-1 today we are officially Champions of Division One with a game to spare like last season (let's beat Hatfield Heath next month and finish that campaign in style). The league table is the measure of the best side in the division over the season - that's all of you, Champions 3 seasons on the spin. You deserve it and should make sure that you properly pick up your trophies at the annual league presentation Friday 25th May (put it in your diaries). Let's push on with the other 3 Cups and turn our attention to next week's League Cup Group Game v Thorley Saints - we still need 2 points to go through to the semis.
