Steve (from The Marne) told us that they looked at our team before kick off with no Chippy, no Josh, no Smithy and no Revil and really fancied it. We told him that we also looked at our team before kick off with no Chippy, no Josh, no Smithy and no Revil and we really fancied it too. Football games aren't won with players who aren't there but by players who are there and we think we can pretty much perm any 11 and come out on top against any side and so it proved today.
Revil's no show worked in our favour as it drew us together as a team. Kyle pulled on the green jersey (which was just as well as his back's not right) and made two fantasic first half saves, one to tip over the bar and one on the floor round the post, both helping to preserve our early lead and you could see the Marne's hopes shrink with each of those saves. In fact it was a fifth minute quick distribution from Kyle to Neil that set our tempo and Neil was unlucky to see the 'keeper smother as he closed in. We had a chaotic 5 minutes of poor decisions, Olli shooting from a tight angle with two free players, Kyle calling but not claiming the cross and Dazza going to ground twice (before switching to studs). Nerves were settled in the 12th when Sam slipped Ollie away on the left, this time Ollie chose the right option and played Jack in, Jack seemed to take an age to settle on the ball but his finish was composed for 1-0. They responded immediately and only a magnificent full stretch tip over from Kyle denied them - fantastic. It was great to see us follow instructions at the corner which followed.
In the 21st Dazza slotted Ben through but he ran out of pitch and hit the side netting. In the 24th Sam went through 1 on 1 but the 'keeper came out on top. In the 30th Pagets pressing created a lovely opening for Ben just inside the box but his side footed effort skewed wide. Jack was switched left with 15 to go to change the top end tempo. As the half drew to a close a lovely interchange between Dazza and Jack beat the offside trap for Olli who was fouled in the box before he could pull the trigger. Sam stepped up and his firmly struck spot kick went through the 'keeper. A minute later Olli had a lovely effort ruled out for offside and the whistle blew for half time.
For once we were all on message and we restarted with a good tempo, Billy slipping a crisp ball to Neil whose driving run inside the fullback unhinged them (several times in this game, very very good), Dan and Ben pressed the loose ball and Jack was quickest to the loose ball netting for 3-0. Five minutes later we passed on 4 chances to clear a corner and Kyle had no chance with a shot prodded through a crowded area bringing them back to 1-3. We were on the front foot right from the restart winning a corner. This one from Ollie was a peach and it was the Neil The Ninja Turtle who's neck stretched from his boots as he powered home a fantastic header - textbook corner/textbook header, a good goal to cap a good performance from Neil. Just 12 minutes into the second half Bowles stepped up to launch another long range freekick into the box. This time he saw the 'keeper out of position, computed the angle of trajectory and scored a wonderful 40 yarder, a deserving contender for some award or another and another player bagging a goal to cap another good performance.
With 25 to go and a 5-1 lead Neil took a bow and Lee took to the pitch, with Dan (inspiring return) and Sam (good, disciplined captains performance) already on the field this raised the average age of our side to veterans status. In the 68th a quick throw from Jack to Ben resulted in Olli being set free but the 'keeper blocked his goal bound effort. In the 73rd Sam ran from box to box but couldnt find a finish or pass to match the quality of his run. In the 75th another well struck corner from Ollie was turned in, this time by Dazza. Immediately after the restart Olli went through on goal but after watching him beat the same player for a third time Ben ran out of patience, nicked the ball off his twinklies and hit the post (much to Ollies Chagrin). In the 78th Bowles and Lee combined to play in Olli who for some reason! ignored Ben in space and shot from a tight angle. In the 82nd Ollie earned an indirect freekick inside the 18 yard box, he worked out the routine off the cuff with Sam, the attempt was clever but was blocked and it was poacher Jack who hoovered up the loose ball for our 7th and his hat trick.
In the dying minutes Olli had a sharp attempt saved while Dazza went back to his Abo roots - on walkabout looking for a goal - and they went through the empty midfield to grab a late consolation.
There were some very strong individual performances today which added up to a strong team performance. Ben's running off the ball and Ollies running on the ball didnt yield a goal for either player but was a big factor in the end result. Dan's return gave us a great physical presence in the middle and Sam gave an assured, composed captains performance alongside him. At the very back Kyle showed class in his attitude and performance and at the front Jack gave a masterclass in poaching.
Manuden next week - love it
