Guide Post put in an extremely professional and at times high quality performance against a spirited Wallsend team who to their credit never gave up despite the heavy scoreline.
The visitors played with an attacking 4-3-3 formation with the ever improving front three of Ross Moore, Bobby Wake and Regan Graham who together provide great attacking flair and skill.
The solid midfield three was made up of the usual hard working suspects Jack Taylor and Reece Brown who were re-joined by Jordan Cuthbertson who adds even more pace and power to the midfield.
Aaron Simms started his first game for a while at right back and put in an excellent performance in what is a very competitive position.
The home side started very brightly and in the first 90 seconds won a free kick just outside the box. The free kick was well struck beating the visitor's wall and looked to be flying into the top right corner however Liam Halliday managed to turn it round the post with an excellent full stretch save.
This gave the visitors the kick start they needed and they soon got a foothold in the game. An attack down the right saw Bobby make a great run hitting the by-line and pulling back a low cross into the path of Jack Taylor who struk a good shot that the keeper tipped over the bar. Ross took the resulting corner and Adam Dixon did what he does best and rose powerfully at the back post and scored with a great header.
The visitors got into a good passing routine and after 18 mins another run down the right from Bobby saw him brought down by the full back. Ross knocked in a great cross from the free kick and Jordan nodded in a neat header at the back post for his first goal after returning to Guide Post.
Within a couple of minutes Wallsend pulled a goal back with a neat finish against the run of play. At 2 - 1 it was clear that Wallsend meant business and for the next 10 minutes they had the bulk of possession and territory. However on 30 minutes Jordan got his second goal which was virtually identical to his first. Bobby had been brought down with a strong run down the right, Ross knocked in the cross and Jordan nodded in a deft header at the back post !!
Regan got in on the act after 36 minutes and settled any nerves to make it 4 - 1. A great run from the heart of defence by Ryan Young who picked up the ball and instead of 'lumping' an aimless pass, carried the ball into space and slid a great ball out wide to Bobby who yet again caused havoc and forced his way behind the defence to the by-line cutting back a low cross to Regan who finished neatly with a low strike into the corner to make it 5 - 1.
The second half started much the same. Some excellent, composed passing football from the team lead to numerous scoring chances.. On 45 minutes Ryan Young yet again showed great composure winning a ball deep in his own half which he carried forward into space before striking a wonderful 40 yard low drilled pass to the right inside the full back perfectly weighted for Bobby who from just inside the box struck a first time shot that went just wide of the post.
Fielding almost a full squad for the first time in a while (only Liam Cottrell was missing who is still recovering from a leg injury!) the visitors brought on 4 of their 6 subs on 50 minutes. Joe Armstrong just back from injury came on in nets for Liam Halliday, Andrew Robson replace Aaron Simms at right back who had put in a veryy good performance, Callum Pattison came in at left back for Adam Boyd, Chris Johnson came on for Jordan Cuthbertson with a slight reshuffle of the team.
On 53 minutes Jack Taylor was denied a goal from a good header with a good save by the keeper. He wasn't denied his goal for long as just 4 mins later a strong run and cross down the left from Chris Johnson saw Jack half volley an excellent shot over his shoulder into the top corner.
On 60 minutes Ross got his second goal with a strike (or possibly a cross!!) from wide left which sailed perfectly over the stranded keeper into the back corner of the goal to make it 7 - 1.
Reece Bosomworth and George Allsopp came on after 60 minutes to join the attack for Bobby Wake and Regan Graham who had both played excellent games.
Soon afterwards Guide Post made it 8 - 1 when Reece Bosomworth played a long ball forward to Ross Moore who was left one on one with the last defender who was beaten for pace. Ross then neatly slid the ball past the keeper to complete an excellent hat trick.
Chris Johnson playing wide left was causing problems for the home defence with his speed but he desperately needs to boost his confidence with a goal. Chris had several chances to score in the next 10 or so minutes, chances which he routinely tucks away but at the moment aren't coming off.
Captain Reece Brown got in on the scoring after 72 minutes when he charged forward and out jumped the keeper in a brave challenge for a high ball heading the ball beyond the keeper into the net.
The home side got a second goal much against the run of play after 74 minutes when the visitors defence got a little casual allowing a neat finish from the striker.
Jordan came back on with 5 minutes to go for a knackered Jack Taylor who put in a hard shift (and quite a few miles around the pitch!). Within two minutes Jordan got his hat trick with a drilled shot from inside the box.
The scoring was finished with probably the best strike of the game which came from a marauding run from right full back Andrew Robson who kept going and going for half the pitch and when everyone expected a pass he struck a screamer from just inside the box which beat the keeper high at the near post. Andrew (who is leaving the team at the end of the season after NINE years with us to join the Parachute Regiment !!!) then went on to demonstrate why he isn't representing GB in gymnastics at the Olympics with a pathetic goal celebration consisting of a forward roll, then flic-flac with half twist landing on his backside !!!
The Guide Post team showed great respect for the home side at the end of the game who had put in a tremendous effort of great character never giving up despite the scoreline.
With two players scoring hat tricks and many fine performances from all 17 players it is hard to pin point a man of the match. My top two candidates weren't even on the score sheet. Bobby Wake just edges Ryan Young for man of the match - both players putting in excellent performances which contibuted greatly towards the victory.
With 4 games to go Guide Post returned to the top of league 3. Close rivals Marden and Blyth Rangers have games in hand and it seems unlikely that Guide Post will hold onto top position. All Guide Post can do is try and win their last 4 games and who knows how it will end!
