KNOCKED FOR SIX
Trips to Thorne are usually conducted with some trepidation but it was with fearless abandon that the Goods Office travelled there to hammer the home side 6-1. Last season saw a number of heavy defeats at the hands of the hosts but this year things are different.
From the off, Goods Office took the game to their hosts, however it was proving a little difficult due to the state of the pitch. Kerr and Butler combined well on a number of occasions and should have put us in front; however it was Heywood who eventually broke the deadlock finishing well after good work from Hitchcock. Andrews’s midfield partner Collins had to leave the game early and was replaced by Johnson. This worked very well with AJ dropping off to protect the back four, allowing Andrews to move further forward. This paring gave the home side little opportunity to play their favoured long ball and it became increasingly evident that without this threat they were impotent as an attacking force.
Little Bri, ever industrious, did level for the home side on the stroke of half time to give the Corner Pin hope of turning the game round, however it was to prove a false dawn. The second half saw the away team attack with renewed vigour. Weldrake, making up for his mid week disappointment, continued to pull the strings, forcing the Pin to double up on him, with limited success. Heywood, in similar form on the left, continually tormented the home defence. Soon the away side were back in front, Kerr this time with the easiest of finishes after good work from Andrews and Butler. Shortly after it was 3-1, Weldrake bursting forward and firing from the edge of the area, to give the game a more realistic score line.
The home side were then guilty of allowing their heads to drop and the G.O. ran riot. Johnson put Kerr through for him to lob the keep for four. A penalty for five and his hat trick, earned the player the man of the match award. It is extremely pleasing to say he was pushed all the way by nearly everyone in the team. There would have been no arguments had anyone of four players been given such recognition.
The game was rounded off by Heywood who scored direct from a corner. Whether he meant to do it has not been ascertained but it was no more than his performance deserved.
That the G.O. were able to bring on such talented players as Cannon and Al Kinghorn is testimony to the depth of the squad. A mention should go to the defence, who after a slightly shaky start, coped with everything the home side had. Whitely and crowd favourite Tom Kinghorn demonstrated strength, skill and positional awareness to deal with anything that came their way. Isle continuing to impress at right back and Hitchcock doing the same down the left demonstrate this side have a bright future, should they stay together.
A pleasing selection dilemma waits for the next game, with a number of players to return to the squad.
Pink productions 2009
