An enforced move from pitch 4 to pitch 3 delayed kick off but provided a better playing surface for what might turn out to be a title decider. This was the first of many good decisions made by a top referee who's performance contributed to a very good game played with tempo and commitment by both sides.
We started brightly with 2 attempts on goal in the first 5 minutes with Josh slipping as he let one fly, and the Dazza driving one over. Cobra's were all adrenalin in the early stages and in the 6th Rooney won 3 headers on the spin before releasing Service who was denied by a fantastic close range fingertip save from Revill as he closed Service down - that was the first of 3 crutial saves from Revill who did fantastic on his return. We responded immediately with Dazza, Kim and Jack releasing Sam but the angle was just too tight. A minute later Glen powered down the right and his cross found Kim who got under the ball and hit it over the bar. Glen continued where he let off last week. His work on the right was first class, closing, passing, attacking the space and crossing.
The breakthrough came in the 15th when a loose ball in the central area was won in the air by Kim, Jack won the second header and netted under pressure from the defender and the 'keeper. Jack and Kim were proving a handful with good off the ball movement and in the 21st a foul on Kim earned a free kick on the edge of the box which Sam was unlucky to see return off the underside of the bar. In the 25th Glen's good work out wide saw him play in Josh but a rush of blood saw the ball soar high and wide.
In the 25th, shortly after Rooney was withdrawn following a crunching tackle from Joel, Kim was switched with Sam to take advantage of their indecision in the middle and a few minutes later it all opened up for Josh who hit a fierce controlled drive from 25 yards which brought a full stretch save from the 'keeper. The first corner was put behind by their defense but Sam's second corner found Jack soaring at the back post to head home for 2-0. Within a minute we put together a sweeping 7 pass move finishing with a 1-2 between Dazza and Kim and a rolling pass from Jack to Sam who netted in his stride from 12 yards - quality. Joel was feeling the aftershock of the Rooney challenge and we simply stroked the ball around until half time to allow us to make the changes.
Andy and Ollie came on for Joel and Glen and we reshuffled accordingly but we were very slow at the restart and uncertainty between Kyle, Chippy and Gary saw them (almost) grab a goal back but Ryan provided his trademark cover behind and hooked the ball out as it was about to cross the line. It wasnt enough to save us though as we panicked at the corner which followed and conceded a scrappy goal. By the 57th we had settled and regrouped and Kim's top end pressure earned us another free kick which was eventually laid back to Andy who picked his spot well from 10 yards as we restored our lead at 4-1. They werent about to collapse though. First a last ditch recovering tackle from Josh denyed them a scoring chance but led to him leaving the field injured and then it took a full stretch save from Revill to deny Slater (we loved that). A slick interchange between Sam and Kim resulted in a fierce drive by Sam which rattled the bar again, they punted the rebound long and a finished with a well struck 20 yarder which Revill had no chance of saving - good strike.
Their second goal came against the run of play and caused us to lift our game. Within a minute a high tempo break by Sam Olli and Jack was finished off by Jack with a close range slot home to earn him a deserved hat trick. Five minutes later in the 73rd a wonderful move involving Dazza, Olli, Sam and Jack was brought to a neat conclusion as Andy composed himself to pick his spot and make it 6-2.
In the 70th minute Jack pressed a lost cause to earn a corner. The ball was cleared only as far as Chippy who hooked a hopeful ball across the edge of the box which Jack volleyed on the turn with his left peg - great technique and fitting reward for his pressing a minute before. In the 86th minute 8 consecutive passes led to our 8th and final goal as Kim laid the 8th pass to Olli who's first touch saw him turn and open his body for the snap shot which followed.
Today we were on our game, strong focussed and together. This was a hot game for Revill to mark his return in and didnt he do well - welcome back. Lets not forget we've been unsettled at the back as others have filled in between the sticks so its a mark of quality that we were able to find our "A" game so quickly. Normally Josh's power surges are in the oppositions half but today he was just as powerful in his defensive duties and with Dazza being more disciplined we were much more compact in the middle. Glen reminded us what he brings to the dynamic of the team and our running and movement up top reminded us that its not all about ball to feet - too often we've been playing in front of defences. Today, off the ball running created space and openings for both ball and runners as bourne out by the goal tally and the number of goals scored from balls played into holes.
We're now one point clear with two to play in the league and we've earned our right to be in pole position for the league title but this game and all the others before will mean nothing if we dont find the will, drive and commitment to play out the rest of the season in this way. Every game now, league and cup, is winner takes all. If we want it all we'll have to work for it.
