With Revill out indefinately with a bad knee injury Chippy pulled on the gloves again and pulled off a performance which just edged Sam's virtuoso hat-trick display to earn him MOM. Those two performances at both ends of the pitch were the book-ends to a really good, solid team performance as we showed signs of returning to what we do best, playing quality football with strength, energy and commitment.
Up front Jack and Sam continued to develop a decent partnership and as early as the 2nd minute Jacks pressure worked an opportunity for Sam which he blazed over. In the 4th Neil slid one through to Olli who delivered a quality cross but Mark tried a wild swipe and the opportunity was lost. In the 6th Jack played in Sam but his attempt was blocked and in the 8th Sam skied the freekick he'd earned himself. Wasteful in the first 10 minutes we were nearly made to pay when a needless push from Daz gifted possession and a freekick and we spent the next 5 under pressure as Mark and Neil committed a series of unforced errors - only Chippy's resiliance under pressure (handling and kicking) kept them out.
Sam settled our nerves in the 15th with a lovely 20 yarder, too hot for the 'keeper to handle. A couple of minutes later a pinpoint kick from Chippy was headed on by Jack to Sam who's low drive was well saved by a decent 'keeper. Olli took the corner which followed and Steve returned the ball which Kim headed home for 2-0 - well done Kim and welcome back. Within a minute we let them back in as Steve ignored Chippy's call and headed an OG. The jitters set in as a new look back 5 of Chippy, Ryan, Steve, Neil and Kyle suddenly slipped off the same wave length and began to creak under pressure. Relief came in the 35th in the form of a lovely team interchange which saw Jack hacked down in the area, Kim converted the pen well to give us a 3-1 cushion.
Brickies were still in the game and only a full stretch save from Chippy preserved our 2 goal lead.We responded with a 30 yard crossfield pass from Mark which Olli volleyed well only to be denied again by their 'keeper. The whistle came just as we were getting edgy again and we were able to re-organise at half time.
For the second period we set out to play much more compact, to retain the ball better and to play on the counter. Kyle, who'd been strangely quiet in the first half was pushed up top to give us pace on the break and Jack was dropped in the hole to give us some composure in the middle. Three minutes into the restart Sam went on a mazy dribble but Olli took a wild swipe at his releasing cross and the chance went begging. Two minutes later Kyle powered through but his low drive fizzed wide.
Glen came on for Neil in the 60th and his pace provided extra security at the back as they continually launched it. Glen was the spark for three openings in three minutes as his interceptions were quickly turned into counters, first he released Olli who's close control and skills worked an opening only to be denied by the post, Kyle ballooned an effort a minute later and Sam followed with his own version of Appollo 10. It was a pity that we weren't a little more composed in the final third as we could have reached double figures.
In the 75th a lovely ball juggle and shot from Sam was well saved. A few minutes later a call from Daz that he had no chance of reaching gifted them the ball and again Chippy came to the rescue with a full stretch low save. The 10 minutes that followed saw us finally KEEP THE BALL first one way then the other and although Sam's wonderful 30 yard strike in the 85th goes down as a solo goal the team play before was pulsating. In the closing minute top end pressure from Kyle Olli and Sam saw them concede possession to Sam's final pressure, a slick piece of keepy uppy and an over the shoulder volley which glided over the 'keeper into the net for 5-1 was a good way to end a good performance.
There was lots to admire and take encouragement from today. Our temprement and discipline was top notch and for large parts of the game we were switched on enough to keep a good shape. Unforced errors across the team happen - its football - but it never led to any heads dropping and we kept talking and encouraging each other - thats the mark of a good side. We were playing good football in the 1st minute and in the 90th minute which points to good fitness levels as well as belief in what we're doing. Steve and Kim both got 90 minutes in and both showed in different ways why they're winners.
Well done everyone class and steel from everyone today but that game is history, another challenge and another competition begins next week, bring it on.
