Scorers – Morris.S., Kenga, O’Leary.K, Carlin, Egan.
We welcomed Kew to the Racecourse, who had picked up points and moved off the bottom of the table, since our 6-0 demolition at their place in October. So guarded against complacency and armed with a full 14 man squad, AP were determined to put Kew well and truly in their place, building upon our recipe of ‘press and impose’.
AP settled quickly and started to both dictate the pace and dominate possession, with some excellent movement and passing right across the pitch. An early goal was always going to help, and it came on 10 minutes courtesy of good build up play down the left, and a ball cut back for Morris to drill home first time from 12 metres. Now in full flow AP enjoyed their best passage of the game, with some intelligent build up and clinical finishing.
First Kelly broke free on the left to put in a low shot, which the Kew keeper could only parry into the path of the alert and hungry Kenga, to make it 2 – 0.
This was soon followed by the best goal of the game and an O’Leary one – two, which saw Danno put in a pin point cross field ball for Kier to steal in and power a bullet header from 10 metres… it just oozed quality! The game was finished as a contest on 35 minutes, when a neat interchange down the right, found the overlapping Carlin free in the box to cooly slot home to make it 4 – 0. Fair to say the game died a little before half time as AP retained the ball and slowed the game, but forgot about going forward !.
So half time arrived, with exactly the same scoreline and level of boredom for Simpson, that we had imposed at their place. The second half was more of the same in terms of dominance, but lacked the clinical edge that we had exhibited in the first period. Using our strength in depth, we brought on Spencer, Fabb and Wilson, for Kenga, Shaw-Morris and Gunyan, without disrupting either our shape or superiority. Kelly saw an inspired swivel and drive, from at least 25 metres, crash against the apex of post and crossbar, for what would have been a certainty for goal of the season…the one that got away Matt!
Both Patterson and Egan then both had glorious chances from corners, but either shut their eyes or were distracted by local wildlife, as their headers blazed high and wide! Egan then made up by slamming home from close range after the Kew keeper had blocked his on target header.
A very satisfying 5 – 0 victory, maintaining our unbeaten record this season and our position top of Division 3. Next week we are back in cup action against top flight Polytechnic, which I am sure will be a true test of our credentials and far we have come this season…aren’ t we just luving it !!
MOM – All 14
