LATEST MATCH REPORT: MENS 4TH XI

By Shane Siberry

Mens 4ths VS Walton & Weybridge II: 5-1

It was a bright sunny morning as most of the Mens iv's arrived in Sunbury for the second game of the season against W&W II. As players started to arrive it was becoming more and more clear that we were not going to have a full compliment for this early season encounter. For those that were there, there was little to suggest what was to come.

The team on the day was John in Goal, a back 4 of Matt, me, Richard and Junior, in midfield Tim, TGS (the tagger from Streatham), Blades, Peter and up front Conall on his own as Ed did his stint as umpire.

The warm up was subdued and the game started with the 4's not sure how to deal with their numerical disadvantage. The first 20 minutes were tight and if anything Walton may have slightly had the upper hand - even if we had the best chances. It was then that the feared goal came. The ball broke to the top of the D and found a man unmarked, he struck early before anyone could close him down and gave John no chance.

This was the point were it could all have gone wrong. It could have, but it didn't! We started to pick up our game and really put Walton under pressure. It looked as though we had more men and quickly the pressure told as Tom the tag smashed in a great equaliser, and up until half time it was one way traffic.

It felt like half time came just at the wrong time and would give the opposition the time to regroup and come out stronger in the second half. The half time team talk was really upbeat and the way we were playing made us feel that we could get something out of the game.

What a second half. The midfield and striker were outstanding - the whole team was working for each other and we tore them to shreds. Our second came from an excellent short corner routine with Tom Tags and Matt, with Matt finishing deftly from in front of the helpless keeper. The third came from Peter who ran all day and you could really tell after!! The move was a quick counter attack and Peter pretty much ran from the half way line and changed direction so many times that the keeper and defence could not see the ball as he stroked it into an empty net!

As if things couldn't get any better the goals kept coming - Blades with a sublime turn left the defence for dead and crossed beautifully after committing the keeper to allow an excellent finish on the bounce from Conall and Conall wrapped the game up with another late in the game.

Overall it was a superb performance - the team worked hard for eachj other from back to front and no one got dick of the day - apart from Tom that didn't turn up - we still have no idea of who he is!

Hopefully we can get more guys out in the next few weeks - and this could be a very exciting season for us!!

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