Saturday 25th September 2010 (0-8 WIN vs Stoke Fleming 2nds)

Players ratings as follows:

Kev 8
Colin 8, Graham 8, Rider 8, Lee 8
Darren 8, Keiran 8, Sumat 8, Craig 8, Dan 8
Luke 9

Subs: James 8, Lloyd 8, Joe 8

MOM: Luke

Champagne Moment: Darren Whittington missing the target from 2 yards. Last seen the ball was still rising...............

Report

At last......The team finally converted domination and possession of the ball into goals, playing some quality football throughout. Yes the opposition were poor but, trust me, we have been known to struggle against teams like this in the past so it was nice to come away with 3 points, and more importantly, produce an excellent performance to put last week's result well and truly behind us.

I had to make several changes to the team for the game due to players unavailability. However to be honest I was going to make changes anyway as I felt the side needed a bit of a shake up after last week's performance.

Kev Woodard stepped up from the reserves to play in goal; we welcomed back Lee Randell from illness and Craig and Dan Lawton started after being rested last week. The formation was also changed with the team playing with 5 in midfield; Luke being the sole striker.

After a quiet chat with the centre of midfield before the game they knew what I expected. I have to say all of them responded superbly by taking the game by "the scruff of its neck" totally dominating the midfield area, winning both first and second balls and dictating the play when we had the ball. A fantastic response to the previous weeks performance. If we are going to win anything this season a lot will be down to the three in midfield winning that battle. They have now set the standard for themselves so keep it up boys......no pressure  
Anyway onto the game. All the damage was effectively done in the first half where we came in 5 0 up. Dan Lawton opened the scoring with a cool finish following a quality through ball from Sumat. The second was probably the pick of the goals. Luke beat the defender cutting inside from the left wing, curling the ball into the top right hand corner of the net. An excellent finish.

We continued with the pressure and were rewarded with further goals from Lee Randell (an easy "tap in" following a goalmouth scramble) and Luke completing his hat-trick with some neat finishing.

The message at half time was simple; keep the concentration and discipline and continue playing the football.

One change was made at half time with James Stock replacing Lee Randell, who was still suffering from a chest infection, at the heart of the defence. James has just returned to the club after a few years away. He has looked more than capable at training deserving his call up to the first team after a run out with the reserves last week. Yes he will have tougher games but he looked calm and assured on the ball and I see him as an integral part of the team for this season.

The second half started well with two goals early on from Sumat and Luke. This completed an excellent performance from Luke who thoroughly deserved the man of the match award with not only his goals but tireless work up front that caused Stoke Flemings defence all sorts of problems. 

This gave me the chance to give Lloyd and Joe much needed time on the pitch, replacing Luke and Dan Lawton. They both fitted in well, looking comfortable on the ball and providing some decent crosses.

With the game well and truly over a moment of madness from a Stoke Fleming player who got himself sent off, striking a punch at Colin, after accusing Colin of spitting at him. We all know Colin and know he wouldn't do such a thing. It was an unsavoury incident that needn't have happened, especially given the state of the game at the time.

This put a bit of a "downer" on the game and for the next 15 minutes it seemed to affect us more than them and we became a bit sloppy, which I suppose is understandable when you are that far in front.

That said we still created some decent chances, the best of which falling to Craig, Darren and James. Sumat also hit the bar with a strong header.

The scoring was concluded by Lloyd (or was it an own goal.....) who cut inside from the left and struck a shot that squirmed under the keeper and over the line.

In summary an excellent performance. We will have tougher tests but it is a performance that should give us confidence for next week's game; home to Newton Spurs 3rds.

Finally a word of thanks to Kevin who stepped in to play in goal. As it happened he didn't have a lot to do but what he did, he did well, and I look forward to seeing him play between the sticks next week.

Corries 4-Riviera Spurs 3


With Zak away, Stocksy promoted to the first team and Ryan AWOL, the managers had to make a few enforced changes. Darren slotted in at left back, he thought people were saying he played like Cafu, but he misheard, what they were saying was he was playing with a curfew !! Jimmy dropped in at right back, and Gary started in centre mid. 

The pitch looked like a carpet, unfortunately it was one that Tom had laid and had lots of bumps with bits missing.  The game started at a franetic pace with both teams struggling to retain possession for more than 2 or 3 passes before going for the Hollywood ball.  Langers was making some good runs and often troubled the Spurs defence but unfortunately not the goal :-)  However he did set up the first goal, flicking a header of his shiny forehead that fell into the path of Sav.  The forward calmly finishing under the onrushing keeper, 1-0 to the Corries.  We did not capitalise on this though and Spurs equalised, again from a goal kick.  Our defence let the ball bounce and the number 10 cut inside before toe poking it past the helpless Cocker.  Minutes later Cocker made a vital save that kept it at 1-1 at half time.

At half time, Clive said "Gary I'm gonna pull you off"  After the misunderstanding was cleared up, Gary was substituted and Steve Slade came on in centre mid.  We started really well and started knocking it around like Aston Villa which was a pleasure to watch.  Jimmy who had a great game knocked it to Rainey, Rainey to Steve Slade, Slade back to Jimmy who had overlapped and he put a perfect cross in for Langers to tap in.  A few minutes later, Rainey put Langers through who calmly slotted it under the keeper to make his goal ratio for the season, shots 192, goals 4 :-)

The next goal was the best we have scored this season, 6 or 7 passes ended up with the ball at Ali's feet on the half way line, he lofted it over the right back for Sav to run on and smash it into the back of the net, Ali really has got the toe punt down to a fine art.  At 4-1 up we were coasting but unfortunately let a couple of rubbish goals in to give them a sniff of a draw.  With 10 minutes to go, it was a bit like when Cocker comes into the shower, backs to the wall time, but we dug in and played out the win.  There was still time for Adam to miss an open goal from 10 yards, but what do else would you expect from a Liverpool fan.

Champagne moment- Sav's second goal, a good team move

Man of the Match- Jimmy

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