Arriving at Stockton's ground at 10am Sunday morning with the bear bones of a side was not something I was relishing.
This was a potential bananna skin for the boys but also a chance for some of the lad's who didnt regulaly get a game to stake a claim in the side, and didnt they just do that.
I new before Friday that three of the team would be missing for this game Dan, Stevie and Tom were all away Matty Chinn was back on exercise and Gav was suffering from Food poisoning so drastic measures were needed.
Jason dropped back into defence with Ross and Sam played left back, Stace dropped into Left Midfield and Wes stayed on the right. Joe and Fil in the middle leaving Ash and Luke as our target men.
We started the game brightly moving the ball well in extremely poor conditions freezing fog descended on us 20 mins into the game and the pitch was very heavy underfoot making controling and passing the ball very difficult.
This however did not make the slightest bit of difference to us we started as we meant to go on with Joe picking up from where he left off last week with some solid midfield play, picking out passes left and right wiith ease. Fill like wise did the same breaking up play and linking well with Matty and Wes on the Right.#
Jasson and Ross were solid dealing with everything comfortably and again playinmg the ball out from the back when needed into midfield. Matty Saunders had one of his best games on the right attacking the full backs and feeding Wes at every opportunity.
Sam on the left was somewhat reluctant to play left back to start with but stood up to the test well growing in confidence with every passing minute, He also linked well with Stace and my two wingers were, Well rampant to say the least supplying ball after ball into the box for Luke and Ash.
The breakthrough for us came about 8 mins into the game and again the build up play was superb. In fairness the keeper pulled off a couple of great saves early on and in fairness the 10-0 score line was the least we should have had we hit the woodwork three times in the first half and countless more opportunities in the second.
Man of the Match was Wes his all round performance was excellent pace power trickery you name it Wes had it and he finnished it off with a sublime finnish from just outside the box which was worthy of Div 1 let alone Div 5.
Football a side though guys forget the fact that it was Stockton we beat and they are 3rd from bottom it was the manor in which we beat them. We have only once been in a position when we had 11 men and that was against Castle Rangers the econ game of the season where we drew 0-0.
The team has developed 10 fold since then with confidence flowing through the team like water. It is a sign also of a team that loves playing and is enjoying their football. The smiles out there sunday were terrific.
Those 11 players did everything Dave and I asked for and more they turned up they dazzled and they chalked up the biggest win of the season. Hell the biggest win in our history.
They have proved what hey can do and given Dave and I a massive headache for the Leam Juniors game next week with regard to team selection. Bujt I would take that any day of the week to watch you boys play like that. It was amazing.
Lastly I would like to say a special Thank you to Matty Haycock who went in goal for us due to Simon's re arranged game and for that I and the team were truly thank ful he didnt have a lot to do but what he did do was excellent so thank you again Matty for that.
The reality is boys we are still 9 points off Chadwick at the top with us playing them at home in a fortnight the game against Leam juniors again is crucial. We simply need to win.
Castle Rangers are hot on our heels also and so the mementum is with us it's in our hands let's drive forward again now it's the least you deserve after the team's exploits so far..
Well done again everyone for Sunday Dave , Dean and I are extremely proud of this football team..
