California Cobras 3 vs 8 Binfield Lions

<p class="MsoNormal">So on a bitterly cold morning the Lions travelled to California Cobras for the 2nd time in a month, after a decent performance the week before against Maidenhead we were keen to keep up the good momentum &ndash; those that played previously also had a score to settle. <p class="MsoNormal">After the initial shock of playing on such a big pitch the Lions settled down and were very disciplined in their approach, although Cali had a few of their best players missing they were still a decent side.&nbsp; A few half-chances were created but not taken before Ollie came up with a trade mark run, beating 2 or 3 Cali players he approached the box and smashed the ball into the top corner from the edge of the box, 1-0.&nbsp; Shortly afterwards HW who had been a real nuisance for the Cali defence saw a shot parried by the keeper after a great through ball from OH but was luckily on-hand to turn in the rebound, 2-0.&nbsp; A great start but we sensed that the slope would also become a factor and therefore urged the boys to kick-on for further goals.&nbsp; JP duly obliged when after a jinking run he curled a beauty into the far corner from the left corner of the penalty area, 3-0.&nbsp; To be fair we weren&rsquo;t having it our own way as Cali looked brisk on the break, Joe, Ryan, Jack &amp; Rory all doing well in repelling the threats, however, Cali got back into the game when a fluke cross sailed over Joe and in to the top corner, 3-1. H/T. <p class="MsoNormal">At the break we reminded the boys that the slope would make a real difference and the next goal would be absolutely critical. <p class="MsoNormal">The 3rd quarter was a bit of a struggle and we failed to create anything of real note but were put under considerable pressure, towards the end of the quarter OH sent over the perfect cross which fell to Zac who was clinical in front of goal, 4-1.&nbsp; We hoped that the game would now be over as a contest but the referee decided to listen to the crowd and awarded a very dubious penalty which was duly converted, 4-2.&nbsp; Several chances were created and fortunately wasted as Cali searched for something from the game, we extended the lead after a nice team move from back to front involving; Jack, Ryan, Harvey and finished by Rory surely put the game out of reach? 5-2. Almost immediately the referee waved play-on when the Cali forward was flagged offside, we stopped and he didn&rsquo;t and finished well from the edge of the box, 5-3.&nbsp; We were all now looking at our watches but the game then took on a dominant stage as the Lions arose to put the game to bed, Ryan, Ollie and Rory adding to the total to make the final result 8-3. <p class="MsoNormal">In truth it was nothing more than we deserved, the whole team put in decent performances and are seemingly getting the system.&nbsp; The massive benefit we have is we have players that can play all over the pitch, none more so than Ollie who week in week out plays in 4 or 5 different positions without moaning and is capable of scoring the goals he did today.&nbsp; <p class="MsoNormal">Today&rsquo;s MOM was TJ as in the 1st 3 quarters he and Jack had formed a brilliant partnership down the right which was causing Cali all sorts of problems, on another day TJ would have scored a couple of goals himself &ndash; all of this bearing in mind he was playing when he wasn&rsquo;t very well is a remarkable achievement. <p class="MsoNormal">Next week we look to continue our run away at Bracknell Town who have always given us a tough game.