From the off Joel and Dan combined to press Sawbo in possession, the ball broke to Dan who drove past 2 players to drive home from 10 yards. One minute gone, one nil up.
5 minutes later Steve spooned a cross with three players pouring into the box but within another 2 minutes he was making amends as he latched onto Ryans releasing ball, this time his cross earned a corner. this signalled a 15 minute period of high intensity pressure during which we earned 5 corners, including a neat quickly taken one by Steve which almost led to a goal, Kim had a perfectly good goal ruled out offside and Sam skyed from close range after a lovely releasing ball from Bill.
Around the 20th minute Olli was fouled 30 yds out and pitched a whipped free kick into Kims territory and he duly obliged with a fantastic header. Sawbo held us at 2-0 for the next 20 minutes during which our top end movement Kim/Sam/Olli, prompted by the rest of the team, tore them to shreds but we were denied by good 'keeping and wayward finishing. In the 40th minute a double Sam/Olli 1-2 saw Olli upended and Sam converted the penalty to make it 3-0. A minute later a lovely left wing combo starting with Ryan and running thro' Steve and Kim sliced them open for Sam to make it 4-0. From the restart Kim robbed their player and their 'keeper did well to keep out his fierce drive. A minute later Kim as at it again this time he converted his own interception to make it 5-0 - great commitment.
We closed out the half on fire with Gary sending Steve clean thro' only for him to blaze wide and in the dying seconds Gary repeated the trick this time his long kick was headed on by Kim but Sam was flagged offside as he closed on goal.
At the re-start Joel and Bill made way for Glenn and Kyle and we had a little re-shuffle which didn't distub our rhythm. Within the first 5 minutes of the restart we came close to extending our lead as Kim headed close from Ryans cross and Sam was denied 1 on 1 with the 'keeper. Sawbo were given a glimmer of hope in the 51st minute when Steve was ruled to have fouled in the box and they converted the penalty which followed.
This only served to make us lift our tempo again and after the 'keeper had denied Kim and Sam it was Sam who nicked the ball back, slipped two defenders and then cut back to leave Olli with a dolly of a finish, 6-1 and counting. Just over 5 minutes later Ryan and Darryl combined to release Glen who tore up the pitch and his driven cross was met on the full volley by Olli to take us to 7-1. Minutes later Sam made way for Lee and Glenn was pushed up top to partner Kim.
Once again the injection of power and pace in the final third of a game completely unhinged the oposition and Glen turned in a 20 minute masterclass. In the 63rd minute Chippy's freekick dropped over Glenns shoulder and he broke clear to volley home - lovely body shape. Within a minute Olli and Steve combined down the left to tee up Glenn for another close range volley, his second and 9-1. Two minutes later Ryan broke higher up the pitch, recovered possession from a tackle, dinked a ball to Kim who cushioned the ball into Glens feet for him to claim his hatrick. Within another 2 minutes Darryl showed exellent close control to skin two defenders tight to the goal line and his chip into the 6 yard box was emphatically headed home by Glenn 11-1.
The sustained high tempo made it difficult for Lee to catch the pace of the game until the 70th minute when he linked with Kim to release Olli but his shot was well saved. Glen was denied 1 on 1 and Darryl skipped past 2 defenders only for the 'keeper to parry his fierce drive.In the 75th minute Chippy clipped a ball thro' to Kim who headed on to Olli and his cross found Darryl leaping like a Salmon to head home at the far post - quality. Their 'keeper was kept busy denying further efforts notably from Kim and Olli.
In the dying minutes Chippy's long ball sent Olli clear but he was brought down by the 'keeper and Kim converted the pen which followed to claim his hat trick. They had no answer to Olli's energy and he was at it again from the restart, again being brought down in the box, this time he stepped up to smartly convert himself and claim his own hat trick.
Lots of talking points today; did Steve commit a penalty foul? why was no one sent off for the two penalty fouls on Olli as he was beyond the last defender? (although we dont want to see sendings off especially as their 'keeper was their best player), but the main thing to talk about was our team performance.
Not everyone rated an individual "9" as some players struggled at times in parts of the game but as a collective unit we were a nailed on "9" with every player working hard for the team with good individual and team discipline and every player working hard to compensate for each other around the pitch. If we can approach each of the next (potentially) 30 games or so in the same manner, with the same organisation, commitment, skill and discipline then we might have a chance of achieving something special come the end of the season.
Some very, very good performances today. Gary and the three in front of him didn't put a foot wrong all game - its not easy to stay switched on in this type of game but we gave them nothing for the full 90 - our midfield and forward play throughout the game was strong, dynamic and full of movement and at no time did we allow the scoreline to influence our shape.
MOM Kim.
