Opening game off the season and it had been long awaited, you could sense that everyone had been waiting for this. An excitement was in the air and the usual Sunday morning buzz was back. A new home kit was handed out with delight from all the players. This was soon changed before the kick off due to Woodford playing in navy blue and with no other kit we went back to our white away strip. The home kit has to wait for its debut. Familiar faces on the woodford teamed were confirmed that half the team were from Arbourfield who beat us 18-0 last season! As the whistle was blown the heavens opened and boy did it!!! This was all blamed on Lukes facebook update at 8.30am praying for heavy rain and his wish came true. Our supporters were not put off with a attendance of 38 highest attendance from home support so far, pressure was on the team not to disappoint. The defence were solid all the way through with 20 yard sliding tackles and Colin moon walking on his hand a knees, the weather was that bad! The defence held a good defensive line which caught Woodford off many times and frustrated them having 3 goals disallowed for this sole reason through out the game. It was not long and Martin delivered a cross which Lukes face connected with again sending the ball into the back off the net. Rumours suggesting that his face is to be insured for 1 million pound is still unconfirmed but we were off celebrating with the stand in Captain Colin and coach John calming the team down and getting them to concentrate. The game was full off sliding tackles and with the ball flying off the surface making it hard to play, Greig and Fred we instrumental in the middle with Freds flair and Greigs determination and grit we were controling the game. Martin then out of a pass from luke had his back to goal 20yrds out and with one quick swivel and chip we were 2-0 up. Woodford were in shock, im sure they came to the game expecting to give us a thumping and with Luke up front and Colin in defence we both had the joy of winding them up even further! Next came a free kick 35yrds out Colin and Fred where arguing to see who would take it, with Colin winning this one he picked Fred out and delivered, with a touch and shot Fred had scored and probably thought im glad i did not take that free kick now, either way it was 3-0. The players and supporters were enjoying this even though we were all in the middle of a hurricane now, nothing mattered we were winning. Before half time Woodford did pull one back making 3-1 at the interval. With a team talk from Tom and John and Anthonys oranges at half time we went back out knowing we had to put 110% in. Woodford step out the blocks quicker piling on the pressure but the defence stayed solid even Luke was in our box clearing, this was a whole team battling for the win! Nobby and pete down the wings and Luke and Martin upfront everyone was in for the scrap. To aid in fresher legs John came off for Sam and Tino on for Martin. Apart from some chances and corners the 2nd half was a battlefield for all with everyone commited and throwing thereselves in front of the ball. Paul again made good saves and committed well, we made it to the final whistle with the score at 3-1! we had won and the feeling in the team was awesome. Everone dripping wet and weighing 2 stone more from the water shook the hands with the oppersition, this time with the satisfaction that we were the better team and deserved to be winners a feeling that had been lost. With the crowed trying to go crazy, but was hardly able to move due to being freezing cold and wet, we joined them and went for the celebrational drink. A job well done. The season has now truly started.
Goal summary:
15 min - Luke James (6/10)
Martin Morin supplied the cross, and Luke James found the net from six yards out with a clinical headed goal.
27 min - Martin Morin (8/10)
A superb individual goal and a moment of magic! Good lead up play from Luke James led to Martin Morin scoring from long range with the right foot.
34 min - Fred (7/10)
Fred fired home from 18 yards out with a well-finished right foot goal, following a through-ball from Colin Holland.
