One fine morning... one great performance... one fantastic result... one delighted manager!!!The Blues went to the top of Division Three - maybe only for a short while but it still feels good! - with this excellent result. Weakened with the loss of three key players, it was a re-shaped midfield that took to the pitch with the Oldland brothers taking the centre midfield roles and Alex W & Ed on the wings. George returned to right back with Marcus slotting into the centre of defence with Jacob.
Perrywood started strongly attacking with speed and pace but our defence was really solid and any half chances that did get through were mopped up by the ever dependable Nathan. As we started to get a foot hold in the game we started to create some chances of our own but the Perrywood 'keeper was in fine form. The introduction of Ellis midway through the half gave Scott the opportunity to push forward slightly more and just before half time he got his reward when a fine breakaway was initially saved but the small striker followed up the rebound to smash home his first goal of the season.
In the second half we faced the inevitable onslaught but we defended extremely well from front to back. Just when we looked to have turned the tide Perrywood equalised with an extremely well taken goal. Heads didn't drop though and we continued to play some good football winning the ball higher up the pitch and counter attacking quickly. It was one such counter attack that saw Ed break clear and slot home our second, much to the delight of the watching parents. Moments later Chris Smith could have made it three as a superb shot hit the bar. Perrywood inevitably started to throw more players forward as they went in search of the equaliser and this created some more gaps at the back which we worked hard to expose and eventually Chris Clement marked a very assured debut with a well taken goal to give us a 3-1 lead. Minutes before the end however the young midfielder's joy turned to despair as a deep corner caught him on the back of the shoulder and dropped into our net to give Perrywood a glimmer of hope but we professionally closed out the match for a memorable victory over a very strong Perrywood side.
Today's performance made me very proud. We knew we were going to be up against it from the start. Perrywood are always very organised and physically very strong but even missing probably our three most consistent midfielders today we were able to match them and, at times, out play them today. Tom & Alex were magnificent in their commitment and energy (if not always in their decision making!). Jacob, Marcus, Chris & George also had excellent games with possibly our best defensive performance of the season so far. I was pleased also with the tracking back of Alex W and Ed, particularly in the first half and Chris Clement had a debut to remember and should be delighted with his first goal for the club. Special thanks also to Jack & Dominic who were "sacrificed" in the second half so that we could close out the match and so didn't get as much playing time as they should have. And finally well done to Scott for finally getting his first goal since returning to the club. Four wins in a row! Happy Days!!
Man of the Match - impossible to decide when the all round team performance was so good!!
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