5 goals, another clean sheet and no cards - the best performance yet?
After another frustrating first half, the Panthers domination finally paid dividends with 5 well worked goals in a short burst after the break.
The game started with an effort from Higgs that went narrowly wide after only 20 seconds and this set the trend of the game. During the first goalless 45 minutes the Panthers went close with efforts from Salmon, Gab and couple of long range efforts from Rowe. The team should have had at least two at the break, with Salmon and Gab being guilty of missing some great chances (open goals) set up by Gange who was proving to be a handful in midfield.
The Panthers were frustrated at half time but did well to keep their composure as the minutes ticked by in the second half. The passing game was working well and created more chances for the team. A few shots came in from the midfield, who were adapting well with the new 4-1-4-1 formation, before Gange broke well down the right and looked up to see Gab arriving at the back post. The ball was perfect and the speedy winger managed five touches before dribbling it in to the almost open net. A great team goal, which was preceded by a passing move that came up from defence.
After the opener, the floodgates opened and what followed was (finally) clinical from the Panthers whose main criticism this season has been their finishing. Salmon picked up the ball on the wide left from Norbets clearance, who took on the right back before cutting back inside and taking the ball one on one with the 'keeper, then calmly tucking the ball into the net; passing it low to the 'keepers left. A few minutes later Higgs crossed perfectly for Salmon at the back post to head back across goal, finding the bottom right hand corner. The tall dusky lone striker completed his quick fire hat trick when team captain Gange took the ball past his defender and unselfishly cut back, where Salmon converted the easiest of his three.
The goal spree was complete when Salmon turned provider after a poor goal kick was headed through into the path of Higgs, who finished with a stunning volley.
This game saw the debut of Nigerian signing Michael Egejuru, who was filling in for Marek Marek as right back - who now clearly has competition for that position. No one would believe that Egejuru was playing out of position, he was composed on the ball and his distribution was excellent. There was also a return of Panthers founder Seb Skroka who filled in for Jay Bellamy - absent due to running a marathon. Despite a shaky start Seb did well and grew with confidence before coming off for Owain Griffiths, returning from a spell on the sideline.
Team captain Andrew Gange was delighted with the performance, in a post match interview he was quoted as saying: "Danyl should definitely win, that Dannii Minogue needs to shut her mouth".
Paul Salmon said afterwards: "I'm delighted with the result, but I'm more happy with how we kept going and didn't panic when we got to the hour mark. And where the eff is Marek?"
4 wins out of four in the league, and make that 5 from 5 in all competitions. The real test will come when the Panthers go a goal down, or even taste defeat for the first time.
Club right back Sebastian Sroka said: "Has everyone paid? Good. I'm off."
