Scorers: Jenkins(2), Doyle, Madgwick, Pope
Returning to the place of our defeat against Broomfield the previous week the 8’s were determined to make up for what was a disappointing loss. We were told that we would be playing on the pitch where their ones normally play, so when I walked onto the pitch I was very disappointed to find that the Grass had been allowed to grow so was now about ankle length, which meant that it would affect our usual passing game. I found out later that the groundsman recently had a bereavement in the family so had been absent, my thoughts go out to him and his family.
When the game started we found that the length of the grass didn’t matter as we passed the ball with speed and purpose and got a early reward when Andy C breezed through several of their players and unleashed a shot low and hard towards goal, the keeper could only parry it much to the delight of Adam who side footed the ball into the empty net, 1-0 AP.
Southgate to their credit stepped up their play and pushed hard for a equaliser and after some sloppy play from AP they equalised when their right winger raced down the right and finished calmly, 1-1. Having conceded so quickly after scoring It did cross my mind that it was going to be one of those days when all our effort might be for nothing, but the boys raised their game and started battling hard all over the pitch, special mention to Eric who was having a great battle in the centre against their headband wearing centre midfielder. His effort brought fruition when after some more great work from the right, the ball came to him at the edge of the box where he tried to let rip with a thunderbolt but instead only scuffed it which was fortunate as it trickled passed the keeper off the post over the line resulting in Eric screaming extremely loudly with delight, which was unfortunate for anyone resting in the hospice opposite the ground. 2-1 AP.
The second goal was spurned us on even more with Eric coming close again with another shot, this time hit cleanly, going just over. A few minutes after this and some good link up play with the midfield and forwards, Adam had the ball in the back of the net again but was wrongly ruled offside by the Ref. As the first half was coming to a close Southgate started playing with more impetuous with the forwards making space for their midfield to run through on goal but with some good work from the defence and Andy S in goal we manage to hold them off for the rest of the first half.
The second half started with AP playing some great football with short, fast, incisive passes spliting their defence time and time again, but it was a corner which would result in a goal this time from Tristram who was making his AP debut, received the ball from Adam after a small scramble in the Southgate penalty area and stabbed the ball home. 3-1. AP were now comfortable and it started showing in our football, with us creating chance after chance, Adam and Liam both having great chances to extend the lead but being foiled by the keeper.
On other days we would probably have rued those chances but this wasn’t the day, with some great work from Joe on the right beating the left back for pace he found Adam, who in turn found Liam, who fired the ball into the back of the net, his reward for coming close on so many occasions this season. 4-1.
Southgate were not quite done yet and tried to come back at us but kept being denied by us defending solidly and as a unit. It was during one of their attacks when we won the ball and broke quickly, a long ball was played to Adam who looked offside but the Ref played on and he calmy rounded the keeper to put the ball in the back of the net. 5-1. Adam should of had his hat trick when again he was put through again but this time he was again incorrectly ruled offside.
As the second half was coming to a close we eased off slightly and this almost cost us a their forward was put through on goal but was forced into putting the ball over by some good work form Andy S in goal. All in all a great result and performance from the 8’s with the whole team putting in a huge effort for the win.
MOM – As for man of the match it’s difficult to say as so many put in a great performance but I give it to Adam as he had a hand in 4 of the goals but special mentions to Andy, Eric, Laurie, Shane and Joe who all had great games.
