Match Report - 16th December 2007

The Bs found their scoring touch with a comprehensive win over Charville. After two weeks out through postponements the boys quickly got in their stride and forged a 4-0 half time lead. Charville regrouped after the break and made it harder for the Bs, but when the fifth went in there was no way back and the Bs ended up recording their highest eleven a side score.

This was a really impressive performance from the entire team. Stephen, in goal, had little to do but when called upon produced three great reaction saves. Russ returned having missed the last six games through injury and he and the entire back four, Daniel, Joe and Josh were calm, composed and very solid. Up front Conor had by far his best game this season linking well with his team mates and was very unfortunate not to score. Alongside him, Sid could have scored eight on his own. It looked like it might be one of those days for him as chance after chance went agonisingly close. But his perseverance told and he ended with four goals, his highest tally.

The Bs had the perfect start with an opening goal in 37 seconds by Thomas, his first of the season. Jordan sent Sid away down the right and after some great work by the goal line he squared the ball which Thomas was on hand to bury after the keeper fumbled. Then on nine minutes it was Ciaran’s turn to get his first ever goal for the Bs. Joe set this one up bringing the ball calmly out from defence and sending Sid away. He used his strength well and his square cross was met at full pelt by Ciaran at the back post to smash it home. Jay and Thomas worked very well in the centre and controlled a lot of the play. Jay and Conor had shots and then Russ marked his return with a close range goal. Jordan’s corner was met by Sid, his shot was parried and Russ from two yards couldn’t miss. Less than a minute later Sid worked himself into a brilliant position, right through on the keeper, beat him and put his shot just over the bar from close range.

The Bs had eight really good chances this half, six of them by Sid who used his strength, control and movement to good effect. From another Jordan corner his header was just a fraction over. Sid got his reward in 22 minutes with a goal built by a neat move involving Joe and Daniel who put through Conor on the right. Conor did really well to turn his defender and his cross was finished by Sid at the near post.

With a 4-0 half time lead it is not always easy to maintain the momentum after the break. Nicholas came on for Conor to give the Bs a different attacking option. Charville reorganised and looked much better in the early stages. The Bs midfield found it harder to keep possession and link up with the strikers. Charville created a couple of good opportunities when they got behind the defenders but Stephen was alert and came to the rescue with excellent saves. He also moved fast across goal to make a fine catch from a very well struck free kick from 25 yards.

The Bs made three changes. Conor came back on for Nicholas who wasn’t feeling well, Kyle replaced Thomas and Luis swapped with Daniel. Charville looked lively and kept the Bs at bay until Sid got a breakthrough in the 52nd minute that turned the match. Using his strength he raced through and beat the keeper by tucking it beneath him. Three minutes later Sid completed a well deserved hatrick with a stunning shot. Luis set it up getting forward and putting Sid on his way. He managed to shrug off the challenging defender and then produced an unstoppable shot into the far corner.

With that the game was up and the Bs started creating more and more chances again. Luis, Jay Conor, Ciaran, Russ and Sid all went close. Then with seven minutes left Luis scored from close range. Kyle sent a diagonal ball to Ciaran in space on the left. Ciaran mis-hit his cross but the spin on the ball made it hard for the keeper and Luis raced in to turn it in. At the end Sid notched a fourth working the ball through the centre and with great determination shot home from inside the six yard box. Luis looked to have added another with the last move heading home from a half cleared corner but it was ruled out for offside.

The result was great for the boys but so also was the clean sheet and the way they restricted Charville’s opportunities. All across the pitch there were great performances, neat, effective passing and well created chances. As a result, everyone shared the man of the march award.