Today we travelled to AFC Chelmsley for our 3rd away game on the spin, looking for back-to-back wins for the first time this season. Missing Fin, Callan and Sanders, the squad seemed to be in a good mood before the game despite the strong winds.
An absolute nightmare start for the Reds, who decided to pass all the way back from kick off, inviting pressure and Chelmsley getting the shot off which crept under Harrison, 0-1 after less than 30 seconds.
The Reds soon settled down and started to control the play, with Omar and Rushy bursting down either flank and causing issues for the Chelmsley defence. The score would soon be level, when Omar recovered the ball and forced his way into the box with his strike coming off the keepers leg and into the corner, 1-1.
Some great work from Rushy down the left hand side and he got the cross in which Harry converted into the far corner, 1-2.
2 in 2 for Harry since returning to outfield duties, keep up the good work.
Birthday boy Omar, a real menace down that right hand side, burst into the box again and this time was brought down, penalty. Omar stepped up himself and calmly slotted into the bottom left corner. 1-3.
Omar with his second double of the season.
Half time, 1-3.
At this point, some chaos ensued as Chelmsley told me the game was being called off due to an altercation between the ref and a Chelmsley player. In the end, this was squashed, there was a handshake and the game would continue.
TOO RIGHT WHEN WE’RE 3-1 UP ??
The wind seemed to pick up in the second half, with Hampton struggling to get the ball clear and Chelmsley putting some pressure on. They would soon find themselves back in the game when a long range strike was picked up by the wind and flew into the top corner. Nothing Harrison could do about that one. 2-3.
Hampton would put the game to bed when Rayyan picked up the ball and played a lovely through ball to Rushy, with his lighting pace taking him into the box and calmly slotting past the keeper, 2-4.
A carbon copy of that last goal, Rushy blasted through again, despite attempts by the defender to hack him down, managed to get into the box and 1v1, but didn’t connect well and pulled the shot wide.
Chelmsley did manage to get a few shots off but Harrison made light work of those, with the last shot the most impressive when he dived low and managed to keep hold of it. Final score, 2-4.
In really difficult conditions against a feisty Chelmsley side, who have had a good start to the season, the lads were brilliant today. From back to front, everyone grafted, worked as a team, stuck together in the difficult moments and enjoyed the good moments. That was us today, back to our best. I can’t call everyone out, but Ollie was terrific today along with Bailee, JP (that run from back to front and then recovery tackle after was phenomenal) & Kielan. Rayyan the wrecking-ball contributed a great assist and Harry got himself on the scoresheet again. MOTM today was a toss-up between Omar and Rushy, who were simply unplayable. Their speed and work rate was off the charts. Unusual for me to pick back-to-back MOTM but Omar just pipped it for me this week, the best I’ve seen him play, on his birthday weekend too. Keep up the good work Omar!
Keep up the good work lads, another test passed, the next one is at home.
UTR
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