A return to our Black and White kit marked a return to basics as we turned in our most accomplished performance of the season so far.
Some minor positional changes gave us a much more solid comfortable look and Littlebury had no answer to our touch and movement. Their attempts to physically dominate us had little success as we were a match for them all over the pitch. In the early stages Neil took the right hand side and came out on top of a running physical battle giving good protection to Joel as he finds his form and fitness. Dan was set alongside Darryl to make sure we won the midfield battle higher up the pitch - this created the room for Darryl to do his stuff and made sure that Chris had room to operate in as a screening player in front of Chippy - Chris gave us a sense of calm at the back (we like boring in defence!).
This freed Kim up to act as target man and he proved a handful all game bringing Glen and Neil into the game and creating countless openings. We were a different class in every department with every player playing with commitment and skill - it seems unfair to single out one player but Olli showed that you get out what you put in. Skill is nothing without hardwork - today Olli had both and they had no answer.
The first goal is credited to Darryl as it just brushed his hair on the way in - a goal only made possible by avoiding the inevitable haircut at Ollis. About half hour in Neil made a right to left diagonal run and connected with Kims cross with an instinctive sliding left foot drive - a real strikers goal. 5 minutes before the break Chris made it 3-0 when he rose at the back post to head home Ollis trademark corner - we love those headed goals from corners.
We lost concentration just before the break and conceded as the ball pinged around the area as we struggled to deal with a corner.
The message at half time was to try to settle straight after the turn around by taking an extra touch and keeping the ball. The message didnt sink in in all quarters and we put ourselves under pressure, especially down the right. Nevertheless we had enough quality in possession and within 10 minutes of the restart Joels long throw found its way across to Neil who hit a fierce drive to make it 4-1. That was the signal to withdraw Glen who was struggling with a nasty knock to his knee. Neil was pressed up top, Joel pushed to right mid and Bill came on at rightback. Within 10 minutes a direct freekick was mishit by Olli and was picked out of the net by a destroyed Littlebury 'keeper.
At 5-1 Joel was withdrawn, Nathan came on and Ryan switched wide right. Three goals followed at 5 minute intervals, Darryl latching onto Chippys lofted clearance then Kim netting 2 himself, the first a thumping near post header from another of Ollis driven corners and his second from a long range drive as their defence was torn apart. In between they grabbed a late consolation with a well struck direct free kick which gave Kyle little chance.
There were other notable incidents in the game including Glen's personal battle in front of goal which now embraces a goal two foot over the line not given be a referee who was offered no help by a one eyed linesman. Chrissie Boy made a welcome return and it will take a special player to get past him and Chippy. Joel continues to build minutes on the pitch. Nathan is starting to settle after an extended run (we must capitalize on his long throws) and we are able to shuffle our pack before and during games without losing any momentum. This allows players proper time to recover from injury or to skip games due to pre-arranged mis-use of various legal and illegal substances (not during the game tho' please!)
At 8-2 this game wasnt only about the goals. We are the Association and we have a team ethic that is more than the individual. Kyle's extended stint in goal is helping out 'til Gary returns and his point blank save at 2-0 was crutial to us staying on top. Some players are playing across several positions within the 90 minute period, this week Ryan and Neil and we can only do this because we have quality throughout and we have players prepared to work for each other.
One game at a time but as with last season it could be that we have found our true mojo after beating Littlebury.
