Casuals and Pelham finished their season in style with a comprehensive home win over Hockerill Tens FC in the league, crowning them as not only champions but Invincibles for the season! Pelham have had a rocky last few weeks but spirits were a lot higher today as the home side had a much bigger turnout today and seemed a lot sharper today, having a feel of the atmosphere from earlier in the season. Pelham were quick out the blocks and dominated the ball for the first 15-20 minutes. They kept and worked the ball well creating a few chances with Dan Arran, Rob Parrish and Tim Shaw coming close. Hockerill Tens barely got out their own half but didn't manage to break through the Pelham back line on one occasion early on but Dan Boyce tracked back to snuff out the danger. Hockerill Tens breaking through seemed to push Pelham on even more and found their first goal not long after. Some good build up play from the home side saw the ball worked to Tim Shaw who put in a good early ball to the back stick where Liam Perry out-jumped his marker and his header found the top corner. That goal gave Pelham even more confidence and they looked like their old-selves playing some nice one touch stuff on the floor and passing their way around the opposition. After some more dominating play, the home side found the net again for their second of the game, as once again some good build up play found Tim Shaw, in a more central position this time, who in turn played a through ball for Dan Arran to latch onto, who then toe-poked the ball past the on-rushing keeper, making it 2-0 after 36 minutes. Once again the home side continued to see a lot of the ball and continued to play some lovely football. They continued to create chances and once again came close through Rob Parrish and Dan Boyce most notably. It seemed it would only be a certain amount of time before the home side found their third and that came just before the half time whistle. Hockerill Tens keeper rolled the ball out to their left back only for Dan Boyce to put some pressure on him in his own corner of the pitch. The pressure eventually payed off and Dan Boyce stole the ball off the defender, advancing into the box and squeezing the ball home from the tightest of angles. The whistle went not long after and Pelham went into the break with a 3-0 lead. Pelham freshened things up at the half making all 4 subs and it seemed to pay off. It was very much the same from the home side and once again they started fast at the beginning of the second half. It didn't take them long to strike again and this time it was Sam Matthews who found the back of the net. He picked the ball up on the edge of the Hockerill Tens box and lashed home from distance, looping over the keeper and into the net. With the game pretty much all but over Pelham started to play with a bit more freedom, and for the most part of it, they continued to dominate. However just before the hour mark, the home side over commited going forwards and Hockerill Tens broke on the counter attack, and after a few good passes, managed to squeeze a shot past the Monk in the Pelham goal. However it didn't take long for the home side to reply to that goal, with Tim Shaw finding himself with the ball out wide on the left hand side and then finding the back of the net with a shot/cross. Pelham weren't satisfied there and once again after some more good passages of play found the back of the net again, with Rob Parrish doing what he does best and getting himself in and around the six yard box, and after making a nuisance of himself in there slotted the ball home first time to make it 6-1. With the game well and truly beyond the away side, Pelham continued to push on and made it 7-1 on 76 minutes, as Dan Boyce played a ball through for Tim Shaw to latch onto and smash the ball from distance into the top corner of the goal. Timmy the completed his hat-trick just five minutes later, as once again the same two combined with Dan Boyce playing the ball through the Hockerill Tens back line and Tim Shaw running onto it, only to then take the ball round the keeper and slot home into an empty net. There was another late consolation from Hockerill Tens as they scored the last goal of the day on 85 minutes. Pelham came close to finding the net again at the end through the ever-determined to score Brad Adams and right at the end through Dan Monk who went up for the final corner, only for Mark Hainsby to knick in to the header before him. The final whistle went straight after and the game ended 8-2. A well deserved victory with the home side back to their best this season. Great way to end the season boys, with a comprehensive win and another victory in the league, cementing us as well deserved champions and more importantly Invincibles. Every player was outstanding today and last weeks friendly was definitely used to our advantage. This week we were first to every ball, the talking was all over the park, and some of the build up play and passing was first class. Micks man of the match was between three players and although both Dan Boyce and Steve Willett had good games, it was awarded to Tim Shaw. As said great way to end a great season and although the two semi final defeats were tough to take, they have been the only two disappointments of the season (even though we actually played pretty darn well against Sawbridgeworth FC in the league cup semi final). Enjoy the break now boys and put your feet up, and bring on next season. COYCAP!!!
