We couldn’t have chosen a better day to finally do what we had been threatening to do all season and give somebody a good spanking. The nine goal victory, and with it the title, was down to our performance on the day rather than the opposition lying down and handing things to us on a plate and that was particularly pleasing. We knew that we were a good side and were deserving of the title, however there had been times throughout the season when we had not performed as well as we would have liked and, in front of a good crowd, we were keen to put that right.
We started the game fairly nervously and struggled to keep good possession nevertheless we were creating chances and both Alun Evans and Dave Burren had good opportunities early on that they failed to convert. Despite this the feeling was that it was only a matter of time before we broke the deadlock and this duly happened on twenty minutes when Evans knocked a good cross into the box and Liam Gent came in from the left to nod home. Despite having been dominant, the relief was there for us all. The second followed ten minutes later when a defender was quite harshly penalised for handball and Burren duly obliged from the spot. From then on the game was one way traffic and further goals followed on thirty three minutes when Gary Manser headed home from a corner and on forty two minutes when Millsy made a great run down the right before squaring to Burren to finish for his second.
With the game over at half time the talk, for once, was concentrated on just enjoying ourselves and showing why we were the best team in the league. This they did and five quality goals followed. The first of the half and our fifth came on the hour when Burren turned provider for Paul Emblen to side foot home from close in. Stuart Hunter, who had another impressive game at left back, claimed the sixth when he latched onto a knock down following a corner. He almost scored his second on eighty five minutes but his shot at the far post was credited to Ebby who provided the finishing touch on line. The eighth came with three minutes remaining when good interplay between Gent and Peter Bukovec resulted in Peter driving the ball into the roof of the net from just inside the box. There was still time for Burren to complete his hat-trick heading home a Mark Lester cross following a short corner.
The jubilation at the whistle continued in the pub well into the night and was a fitting end to a great season. Both managers are truly proud of the players. Their commitment and dedication throughout the season has culminated in their abilities being appropriately rewarded. To lose just one league match and concede only eleven league goals is a wonderful achievement. Everyone in the squad has played their part and deserves the highest praise.
Team:
L.Baker
M.Wood
S.Hunter
A.Lindsey
N.Coxon
M.Millins
G.Manser
M.Lester
L.Gent
A.Evans
D.Burren
Subs:
P.Emblen (for Evans)
P.Bukovec (for Millins)
A.Chapman (for Manser)
R.Perkins
I.Ward