It had been 4 months and two and half weeks since we had kicked a competitive football so everyone was chomping at the bit for this one. With only Gandhi and Robbie G on the injured list and with some new faces in the squad it was a tough week for the gaffer to pick his side. In the end he went for the tried and tested partnership up top of Hobbit and Gozzy but Gambled at the back with Smithy and new boy Sam Bowles marshalling the back line. There was also a debut for Ben Freeman on the left side of midfield.
Straight from the kick we looked good and had the lion’s share of possession. We played our football in their half and also looked likely to score. Then totally against the run of the play the normal oh so reliable Huffers was robbed in the centre of the park and their centre forward ran through and slotted it past the helpless Bignose. The response however was impressive within 8 minutes we were back on level terms. A sweeping move down the left resulted in Ben firing home form 12 yards for a debut goal, Huffers also made up for the opener by laying it on with a neat through ball. It wasn’t long before we had our noses in front. Another attacking move down the left this Gosnell showing great strength a getting through on goal before finishing well. And it was Gozzy again who made it 3. Ferg went on a masie run across the edge of the box and hacked down just outside. With Pat screaming from the side lines for Gozzy to leave it for Ben the skipper ignored the calls and stepped up to curl it on off the post. 3-1 up and cruising. By this time everyone was relaxed and playing some great attacking and passing football. A moment of madness and lack of communication at the back led to Woodlands grabbing another goal, but Ferg restored the two goal cushion after a very classy one-two with Gozzy.
Into the 2nd half and we slowed down a bit. It was hot and everyone was still a little jaded from the summer off but that said the passing remaind and heads stayed up. There was a continued threat to their goal coming from the Ben and Fraser out wide and Gozzy and Hobbit up top. Huffers made way for Shaggy who gave a solid performance, apart from his gay left foot shot!! And later on 2Gun Willy came on for Ben. Hobbit effectively made the game safe. A perfect low cross was whipped in by Ben and turned in from close range by the Hobbit. After this we kept it tight and moved the ball around with confidence. Bowlsey and Smithy looked good at the back and Bignose was flawless in the sticks when called upon. We were caught napping at the back near the end with a ball over the top that Joe Kinnear would of been most proud of and the their tricky number 12 ran clear and smashed it in.
Still a win is a win and I would of taken that before the start. Lots of positives to take from the game and lots to work on and improve. Insulators next week at Home xx
