5th XI 4 - 0 vs Vampires 6th (h) SAL Cup

SAL Junior Novets Cup | Group Stage
 
Scribe: Mark Ephgrave
A win finally, A squad finally, A clean sheet finally….

Its been a hard, the last four weeks, four games four different sides each time for the same reason players unavailable or late cry offs.

But this game more than any other was just the game the 5s needed, the reason why because it was against the 6s led by Connor Eldrett and his travelling supporters. I think it helped is because the 5s could relax and play football that over the previous games we threatened to do at times.

The game was evenly balanced for the first 10-15 mins both sides wanting to draw first blood and claim the bragging rights.

Once the lads started to grow in confidence so did the football, at times it seemed that today’s squad had played together for the last four weeks. And there was attack after attack, shots at goal, using the space talking to each other it was a pleasure to watch from the side line.

The opening two goals could have easily come from the training video of any top side around the country, having said that Mr Unwin still had a bit to do with the surface being a bit greasy and the rain pouring down which made it a bit harder for him to do his trade mark flick of his hair as part of his goal celebration.

The first half seemed to fly by which is always a good sign, during half time instructions were given and encouragement needed to those who were determined to do well against the 6s Mr Bickers in particular.

The second half kicked off and it was clear the 5s were full of confidence and there was the problem we were too confident which not only effected our play but the 6s could sense it and were unlucky not to get one back 

Everything that had been done in the first half we were opposite in the second half. A few rally cries from Roonan and Burke.J got the 5s back playing some entertaining football again and goal 3 and 4 were in the bag.

Once again I couldn’t have wished for a better game to get the squad to believe that every one of them has to work not only for their place but more importantly for each other. 

Today we did that and long may it continue.

Outside of the rain the only dampener to Saturdays game was the said news concerning Ben Shields Mum. We are THE VAMPS! Ben, we are here for you bud and this one was for you.
 
TEAM: Ricky Huckle, Chris Rowell, James Brown, John Burke, Sean Roonan, Luke Green, Tom Pidgeon, Martin Bickers, Jude Oliver, Luke Unwin ⚽⚽, Lewis Saunders ⚽, Nelson Lopes ⚽, Kieran, Rory Fielding