On the 24^th April we played away at Hollingworth and the early stages were a little nip and tuck and it looked like it wasn’t going to plan. Hollingworth have strengthened their team since we last played and it was evident that this would be no walk over. Both teams played some good football in the early part of the match and Hollingworth actually went ahead from a free kick.

That really spurred us into action and Mikey produced some nice play down the wing, passed inside to Ryan who put a good ball through to Ashley who slotted the ball past the keeper to equalize.

Then a few minutes later we were awarded a penalty for a handball. Liam coolly converted and we were in front.

We should have gone further in front when a fantastic ball was sliced through by Manager’s man of the match, Sam. The ball was a perfectly weighted ball which was placed in front of Mikey. He took it on and rolled the ball past the keeper only for it to be cleared off the line. It would have been a sublime goal. Sam was playing well though and controlling the midfield, with Liam. A good, strong combination. Both strong in tackle and gifted distributors of the ball.

Another gifted player is Mikey and he scored a very good goal to make it 3-1. Brillant passing and movement by Ashley, Ndaba and Mikey lead to the latter scoring his first of the match. It was a super goal, well worked by the three front men.

Ndaba then added his name to the scoresheet. A great ball over by Kyle was chased down by both Ashley and Ndaba. Ndaba was there first and smashed it into the net. It was a very well taken goal.

Mikey scored his second to make it 5. The keeper kicked out. Mikey was first to the ball, sized up the net and slotted home. Minutes later he shot his hattrick with a fabulous looping shot from outside the area.

Then Dave had a rejig and moved Sean up from the back. We won a free kick and he asked Sean to take. And did he take! A super free kick lobbed the keeper and shot into the top corner. The celebratory somersault followed. I think Sean was happy! Great goal. Well deserved from probably the most consistent player on the team. He deserves some glory. Well done.

Danny rounded off the day’s scoring with number 8. A good ball through from Mikey to Danny on the wing unleashed him. He cut in and found himself one on one with the keeper. He slotted it past him coolly. But again another good ball started this. This was a factor today. Many perfectly slotted balls through to cut the defence to ribbons and fast players to make sure these counted.

One of the players who was successful in this department was manager’s man of the match, Sam. He had a solid game. He was strong in the middle, got in the way of the attack, got challenges in, put in good passes, both to the wings and down the middle.

The man of the match was Ndaba. He changed the game when he came on. He added the extra edge to the attack. He had lots of speed up the wing. His defender couldn’t cope with him. He also linked very well with Ashley and Mikey to create lots of chances. These three were unstoppable.

In a fine team performance we kept a good team at bay and scored 8 goals without reply. The only blip was from a rare defensive error from a free kick which allowed a fluky goal from a poor bounce which bounced over Ben’s head. Ironically free kicks are a set play that we have had covered all season. This is a move that we have off pat. All season it has been a beautiful sight to see the well regimented step up to catch the opposition off side. Not today though. But generally it was a good defensive performance from all at the back. Sean, Connor, Paul, Warren and Kyle were in control and Ben did what he was asked to do. In fact we must have been secure or the manager would never have moved his little general (Sean) up to the front.

Further forward we played with creativity and at a fast pace, particularly in the second half when Ndaba added extra spice. He really got the attack going and allowed us to relax and play better football, as we had been tense earlier. It wasn’t until Mikey’s goal that we felt we could relax. Yes Liam’s penalty gave us a cushion but only 2-1 up at the break meant things were still a little nervy. Enter Ndaba…..

Then  we really got going and played very well. Hollingworth had no answer to the speed and creativity of Ndaba, Ashley, Mikey, Danny and Sean. Yes you read right. Sean was moved up and showed a real turn of speed down the wing and in the middle of the field. And he scored a cracking goal.

And the speedsters were ably assisted by the work ethic of Ryan, Sam and Liam in midfield.

As I said a fine team performance.