Subs: Alex, Robin
Foggy – MoTM and DoTD
You may well ask how a team scores 10 goals, and yet the
goalkeeper wins MoTM? The clue is in the
fact that we only conceded 1, which would definitely not have been the case
without a supreme display from our skipper.
On a cold morning I imagine he was happy to be relatively busy, and
pulled of a string of saves, including a diving effort in the second half to
push a goal-bound effort around the post.
Also claimed an assist for encouraging Brian to go up for a free-kick
from which he subsequently scored – unfortunately a few others were involved
before the ball went in the net, but it was definitely a key contribution.
You may well ask how a man who wins MoTM has to buy himself
a drink by also winning DoTD? The clue
is in the fact that we conceded 1. Foggy
and the defence had worked so hard for a clean sheet, only for a horizontal
Foggy to let a tame shot bounce over him and into the net with the score at
10-0. To be fair the defence could have
had a collective DoTD for this goal, as the scorer pretty much walk through all
attempted tackles before getting a shot away.
Eye-Ball – a relative spectator
Had said that he wants the team to play so well that they
don’t even notice there is someone at left back, and for the first half got his
wish. Spent most of the half shaking his
head in disbelief at the carnage that was ensuing at the other end. Busier in a second half spent waving a flag.
Brian – Franz Beckenbaur eat your heart out
Always shines at training, and translated this onto the
pitch with two assists from forward runs, and one goal. Following Foggy’s encouragement, the centre
half made a late appearance in the box and turned Nick’s cross – via Luke’s
face – into the net.
Blakey – Class act at the back
Sometimes a little slow to react, but that just makes the
last ditch tackles all the more sweeter.
The highlight being a sliding effort which stole away the ball from the
striker when he thought he was clear and through on goal. A maiden trip to the showers was a moment to
treasure.
James – hang on, don’t you play for Trojans?
In fact, worked so hard up and down the pitch that at times
it looked like both the twins must be playing for us. Instrumental in linking up with Luke for one
of Dale’s first half goals, and best moment a brave block on the line. Unfortunately his back was probably still
stinging when Chadwell did score and break our defence’s hearts.
Liam – always there when you need him
Worked back to help out in defence, and got in the box to
provide an assist for Dale – via a shot – and a headed goal of his own, at the
near post, from Dale’s long throw. Yet
another superb all round performance from our vice captain.
Nick – still banging nails into the Chadwell coffin as it
was lowered into the ground
Adds experience and bite to our midfield. Nick’s fitness is
improving every week, and it shows as he plays with energy and a sense of
urgency that infects the rest of the team.
A much needed vocal presence, with his own blend of encouragement which
I think the team have just about figured out.
Rewarded with his first goal for the club as he tapped home following
some dazzling work in the box from Dale - who was repaying Nick for yet another
assist. Had quite a few other shots, but
perhaps we’d better work on that left foot in training.
Harry – owned the midfield; a class apart
Covered an immense amount of ground before being replaced by
Robin midway through the second half.
This was despite appearing to be close to death from the first time he
touched the ball. Best moment was
turning the entire Chadwell midfield inside out before passing the ball forward
in a move that result in a goal for Dale.
Luke – best performance of the season; terrorised the
opposition down the right flank
The perfect response to returning to the starting eleven.
Looked to get us on the attack every time he got the ball, and linked up
superbly with Dale. Played in our
striker for his first goal, and then scored himself in the second half when
Dale returned the favour, and Luke finished superbly off the inside of the
post. Also claimed a second assist via
his face for Brian’s goal.
Craig – he’s a smooth operator
Never hurried or seemingly under pressure. Seemed to relish the freedom of the number 10
role and a great outlet when we wanted to keep possession. Should have scored, but every shot seemed to
be attracted to a defender. Earned a
DoTD nomination for a shout of “Dummy Dummy!” which resulted in an indirect
free kick to the oppo. We’re still not
sure if this is just a nickname for James…
Dale – forget Trident, the one man every team in this league
would pay to disarm
A simply remarkable and unforgettable display of movement,
pace and finishing. A first half display
which was possibly the most devastating individual performance I have ever
witnessed. Every shot, from every angle
seemed to end up in the back of the net.
Another hat-trick which makes it five for the season. The first effort was a sighter, which the
defender deflected into his own net for an own-goal, but after this every
finish was something to be admired:
1 – Collects the ball from Luke on the right and breaks into
the box before shooting across the keeper.
2 – Spins the ball round the defender from Brian’s pass and smashes
it in at the near post.
3– We think this was Dale’s tap in after Liam’s initial shot
was saved
4 – You know you’re scoring too many when you can’t even
remember your hat-trick goal, but believe this came from a pass by Brian
following another marauding run from the centre half.
5 – Nick puts the ball across the box. Dale collects a
slides it past the keeper
Dale was actually involved in all but one of our goals, as
he added four assists for Nick, Luke, Liam and the Chadwell defender (who I
believe was particularly grateful). It
sounds ridiculous, but I imagine he is disappointed he didn’t score more, and
really should have beaten Sharpy’s record of 6
in one game. Just to stop his
head inflating too much, I have to mention the shanked ball up the line which
nearly took the head off an innocent bystander.
However, I imagine Dale might argue the under 8’s goal on the adjacent
pitch caught his eye, and actually this was a fine effort. The fact that Dale didn’t win MoTM is
surprising (although Foggy did deserve it) but may just show how highly we rate
Dale, that this is the kind of performance we expect from him.
Alex - let me play!
A faultless second half performance at left back, and really
didn’t have a chance to get into the game, with most of the play being down the
right or through the middle. Will
hopefully get plenty more opportunities to shine.
Robin – the last thing you want to see when you’re already
dead and buried
So you’re losing about 8-0, and have hardly seen the ball,
and now every time you touch it Rob is going to be there to dish out his own
brand of honey nut crunch. A fine cameo
performance in a position where he could actually justify getting forward. Although I did hear Sharpy say “Rob, I
want you to sit.” Well, all I can say is we can’t have
everything we want Gaffa.
The Gaffa – Beaming from the touch line like the cat who got
the cream
Fully deserved such a result for all the hard work and
passion he has poured into this club over the years. Unbelievable that he didn’t rush off at half
time to put his boots on, but probably the right decision to carry on enjoying
the spectacle from the sidelines.
And a word about our opposition:
How different things would have been if their striker hadn’t
put the ball just past the post in the first minute, we will never know. However, Chadwell created enough chances and
showed they have enough pace and skill to trouble any team in this league on
their day. This most definitely was not
their day, and it was a bit of a shame to see them crumble when about the 4th
goal went in. After this they road their
luck, with at least four players just charging forward like they’d just land on
the beaches of Dunkirk. They completely
left their defenders to the wolves, and paid the price for letting Dale run
riot by making no attempt to stick anyone within 10 yards of him.
There isn’t much more to say boys, other than enjoy this
moment, but forget about it when we line up against Chadwell in the cup in our
next game. We knew very little about
Chadwell, and we can’t afford to think we know them now. Their attitude is bound to be different, and
remember that there is nothing more dangerous than a wounded mosquito…
Eye-Ball
Next match: Sunday 21st February v Chadwell @
Blackshots – Div 1 cup quarter final
Goal scoring chart
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