Continuity is something that rarely happens for the Saturday Reserves. However this week stretched this to the limit with no less than seven changes from last week’s starting line up.
Today’s game saw us looking to extend our unbeaten run to three games and taking on a side we had beaten two weeks ago in the cup. The pre-match team talk centred on all the usual things, but with the added warning of not repeating the first team’s exploits when they were chasing a third consecutive win, a couple of weeks ago.
After losing the toss we had to attack down hill with the elements in our favour, therefore it was key that we gained some sort of lead before half time. Inside five minutes we went one up, when a neat through ball from Yacine left Alex with only the keeper to beat. Alex finished smartly, casually placing the ball into the bottom right hand corner.
Throughout the half the game was very even, with us sending long balls into their area, which on the whole they dealt with well and them counter attacking up the hill. From a couple of their attacks first Strawbs and then Dean made great last ditch clearances to keep us in front. We were continuing to look dangerous when attacking, but couldn’t find the finish to extend our lead.
However a clever through ball hit with the outside of his left foot by Ross (as he never uses his right foot!), allowed the onrushing Iggy to beat the offside trap, before controlling and drilling a low shot into the bottom corner.
The second half began as expected with the opposition throwing everything at our defence. However the back four were dealing well with the waves of attacks. The only concern was when a penalty could have been given against Kevin for handball. When the opposition did get through James was on hand to save bravely at the feet of the attacker.
Once we reached the half way point in the half Hadlow began to slow down and we began to launch a number of counter attacks. Mark, Yacine and Alex were all winning and retaining possession, giving the rest of the team vital breathers.
There was a brief break in play when Strawbs dislocated his finger. He was sent off to the sidelines to get it tapped up, but returned with it back in place, when Dean kindly popped it back in, having seen it done on TV! With about twenty minutes to go a well timed run from midfield by Ben, left him one on one with the advancing keeper.
Ben kept his cool, slipping the ball past the keeper, giving us what we believed would be an unassailable 3 - 0 lead. This goal knocked the stuffing out of them and another good passing move saw Ross smash home a cross from our right. Four goals from our four midfield players. Within a minute it was five, with Christian, on as a sub for the excellent Yacine, seeing his header followed up by Mark to tap home from an acute angle. Hadlow scored a consolation goal in the last minute, when a long throw in into our box, was flicked on giving the defence and James no chance.
A great performance, although the score is probably a little harsh on Hadlow. All thirteen players played a crucial part in today’s game which lifts us up into mid table.
Team:
J.Ramskill
L.Drury
D.Jacquin
G.Hughes
K.Waterman
A.Donaldson
I.Crouch
B.Turner
R.Taylor
Y.Marouani
M.Wyles
Subs:
S.Waterman (for D.Jacquin)
C.White (for Y.Marouani)