On winning the toss, we decided to play up the hill with the sun in our eyes for the first half and it worked out well for us as a result. Though we did not think that after five minutes when their midfielder walked through without a single tackle and struck a decent shot to the top left corner to put WH 1-0 ahead!
We responded from the kick off playing some pretty decent football and created numerous chances, one resulting in a penalty after Brad was hacked down in the area. The keeper saved Spencer’s effort and we were still a goal behind despite playing the better football. On another day we could have been 5-1 ahead at half time but somehow the woodwork denied us twice and a few efforts (including Mel’s first scissors kick effort of the day) went agonisingly over the bar.
Shortly before half time one of the WH centre halves collided with Brad and came off second best! Derek was called upon to put his First Aid skills to work! An ambulance was called and the WH player left in a Terry Butcher esque head bandage when it arrived twenty minutes later!
The early part of the second half was competitive until we finally scored. This was as a result of some good tracking back by Ollie who dispossessed the defender and picked out Mel with a good pass who finished with a lucky volley. With the score now level, and WH finding it difficult to play uphill, we began to take control. We responded with a second goal from Mel shortly after to finally put us ahead when Anthony picked him out with a well taken free kick. WH still threatened on the counter attack and had some real pace in their front two men but we managed to keep tight at the back. Harald moved to left wing after Jack was replaced by John Scantlebury, John moved up front and the skipper slotted in at left back when Brad suffered from cramp!
The third goal came after a sustained attack on the WH goal when Anthony’s original effort rebounded off John’s nether regions but Anthony followed up with a good strike to make it 3-1. Whether it was the presence of Ollie’s brother on the sideline or as a result of the half time team talk, his second half work rate increased immensely! Whether it was a cross or an attempt on goal, we will never know but Ollie lobbed the keeper with a curling effort to the far post to make it 4-1 and certainly enjoyed the celebration!!
To finish WH off, Harald finished the fifth goal with as he put it “German efficiency” to the top right hand corner! A decent display and another 3 points but we need to be more clinical with our chances. Other teams will not allow us as many efforts and in tighter games these chances must be taken.
Best for AP on the day were Chirac, Mel, Anthony and Spencer but it was a spirited team performance by everybody and well deserved that we recorded our 4th consecutive win.
Team: Michael O’ Riley, Chirac Shah, Derek Graham, Sean Phelan, Harald Krefting, Olly Edge, Anthony Shaw, Melvin Loughnane, Jack Dudmish (John Scantlebury), Brad Firth (Mike Myers), Spencer Brooks.
