The Sheffield Academicals continued their fine form against a High Green team that can be a tough side on their day. Unfortunately for them the Accies were well up for it and stamped their authority on the game throughout; particularly at the start of each half.
It began with the Accies midfield pressing their players high up the pitch as the away side struggled against the wind. This led to a lot of possession and a peppering of the goal mouth with chances. Dan Kav put in a couple of balls that Fozzy was unlucky with a glancing header firstly and then one got nicked off Swifty’s head at the last second. The Accies defence were pressing high and letting the High Green forwards know they were there with some strong challenges. The opening goal was not long coming and was taken by the goal machine Swifty after Fozzy played a quick throw-in down the line for Swift to use his pace to beat the defender, cut inside and then slide the ball in at the near post.
The ball kept coming in as the Accies pressed to a man. Dan and Stan put some great teasing balls in and Jamie was dropping deep to connect the play. Big Si crunched through a challenge and played a neat one-two with Matt G but the covering defender nicked it off his toe in desperation to concede a corner. The ball came in fast in the wind and if there had been someone on the back post they would have had an easy goal. A few moments later and the marauding Big Si got taken out on the left and Dan crossed into the box, the flailing keeper could only tip it onto Ryan’s head for an easy headed goal at the far post. The away side were barely threatening the Accies half never mind the goal, with green boots up front trying a few Marseille turns and falling over his feet being the only highlight. Matt G, Big Si and Fozzy were completely nullifying any attacks through the middle of the park and any long balls were being mopped up by Stan, Ryan, Reedy and Batts at the back. The half ended with High Green not even registering a shot on target.
Half time Accies 2 – 0 High Green
Despite the total dominance of the home team the away side came out for the second half making overtures of getting back into the game. Their left back shouting ‘It’ll be a different half now, let’s see how they cope with the wind’. Ryan promptly played a stunning pass with his laces against the wind straight into Swifty’s path and he shielded the ball superbly to outpace and out-muscle the defender, round the keeper and make it 3-0. Two minutes later and it was 4-0 as Jamie played an inch perfect slide rule pass into Swifty who had to go wide round the keeper but smashed a left footed finish into the net and past the two despairing defenders on the line. Quality stuff that completely demoralised the away side, who promptly brought on 2 of their regular players (who presumably were being rested for an easy away tie).
The Accies pressed on as normal. Dan drew a foul just inside the opponents half and Ryan flighted a superb ball into the wind for Big Si’s perfect run allowing him to nod over the keeper and into the net to make it 5-0. Hodgy came on for hat-trick man Swifty and Fozzy made way for Alex with Jamie dropping into midfield and Hodge and Alex going up front. The Accies continued to press and string together flowing moves that High Green had no answer to. They did manage to register a shot on target though which Godders saved superbly as he went down to his right, his covering left hand getting a firm touch to the ball for Matt G to hack clear.
Daz came on for Dan and slotted straight into the flowing football that was now carving the defence open time and time again. Jamie played a great disguised ball into the feet of Alex who shaped to play it but turned and gave himself time and space to slot past the keeper to score the 6th goal. Hodgy got in a couple of fine balls that the defence managed to hack away. It was all Accies. The defence made any ball or threat look easy to deal with and the ref finally ended a miserable afternoon for High Green by blowing the whistle on a comprehensive victory in every way.
Full time Accies 6 - 0 High Green
