Last weeks mid-week fixture v Royston Town bruised our bodies and egos but proved to be a valuable exercise as 1. it was another hard game giving us fitness "in the bank" as we and most of league faced a ruined fixure list last Sunday and 2. it reminded us what we need to do to compete and win at a higher level.
We looked focussed and ready for this game and from the off we destroyed the Division One title chasers. As early as the second minute Josh set down a marker with 25 yard effort from Kim's chest down. Our passing and movement was mesmerising and Grange were chasing shadows as they conceded a free kick, Olli kept his effort on target, a nervous 'keeper spooned it and Darryl pounced to head home from close range, 1-0.
In the 13th Sam ended a mazy run by nutmegging the defender and unleashing a wicked driven cross which we were slow to latch on to. In the 17th a sweeping move down the right saw quick thinking Glen throw to Josh who played Sam in for a lovely placed finish 2-0. A period of intense pressure followed and in the 25th minute a trademark Olli corner was well converted by Chippy's glancing header, lovely 3-0.In the 26th Olli was unlucky when his visciously curling free kick clipped the bar but a minute later he got on the score sheet when Bill slotted in Kim, his snap shot was saved but Olli was quickest on the draw 4-0.
The 31st minute saw the goal of the game when Olli dipped a shoulder, cut inside and unleashed a 25 yard low drive which slipped beneath the 'keeper. In the 40th Kim's powerful run ended with the award of the penalty. At 5-0 up, in an attempt to get every player on the score sheet, Bill stepped up put put his effort straight at the 'keeper.
At the turnaround we again switched off so we need to think about a different routine as we could be punished by stronger teams. In the 60th minute Ollis corner was headed goalward by Chippy but the 'keeper spilled the save and Darryl, ace poacher, converted with a close range hook. 6-0 was the signal for Glen to make way for Steve to be eased back after a period out and with nothing much going on Darryl made way for Nathan for the last 20 minutes. With the game going nowhere we lost concentration and allowed Grange the odd sight of goal and eventually we fluffed our lines and allowed them a consolation goal. Kim restored our 6 goal advantage in the last minute with a close range volley which was reward for his earlier hard work.
Possibly more important than the result today was the way in which every player pulled together and was willing to rotate and sacrifice periods of their game to support other players to benefit the team. Its important to keep some consistency at the very back and Kyle's role in goal was more than 'keeping - which he did exceptionally well. Ahead of the defence - Chippy, Ryan and Bill were again magnificent, Neil had his most complete performance of the season so far. Sam, Kim and Olli showed what big players they are in rotating middle to top and left to right. In doing so they allowed the game to develop and the rest of the team to contribute so we played as a total unit rather than in small pockets.
Several players could have earned MOM today including Neil, Ryan and Olli but over the 90 Sam edged it. This was the first step, we have 14 to go and need fear no team if we can reproduce this level of skill, passing, commitment, movement, discipline and teamwork.
