Match Report

Season Starts on Cloud Nine

The perfect start and an excellent display throughout as we disposed of Old Colfeians 9 – 0 in the season opener at Farnborough OBG.

It’s impossible to predict the strength of the opposition at the start of a new season, I knew from a tough 5 game pre-season the quality we possessed and we entered this fixture ready and well prepared.

From kick off we were dominant. The passing and movement was superb, confidence on the ball and in each other was obvious and overall we looked hungry for a winning start.

We entered half time 4 – 0 to the good. Goals from Ben Slade, Matt Pragnell and Danny Godward (2) put us well in control, a lead we had earned and deserved.

With the luxury of a 4 –0 cushion we were able to make changes shortly into the second half as Matt Godward replaced Dan Head, Ben Dutton on for Taps and Matt Lenton in for Danny Godward.

To be fair to Old Colfeians they had their best spell at the start of the second half and created 2 good chances, Sam Clarkson pulling off a good stop low to his right to deny them any sort of consolation. From here on though we were superb and scored 5 more to add to the tally in the last half hour. Goals from Matt Ellis, Alex Barnes, Jim and Matt Lenton and Ben Slade's second of the afternoon wrapped up a 9 -0 drubbing.

Man of the Match was Jim Lenton whose display on the left of midfield was frightening and was at the heart of a handful of the goals as well as scoring himself to round off an excellent performance. Although there were a number of the boys who on any normal day would have picked up the MOM honours.

Overall the result was really pleasing and the style of football and individual quality throughout was excellent. Defensively we looked solid and keeping a clean sheet was equal to the nine goals, however the main point being to stay grounded/realistic and to not get carried away with the result. With respect to Old Colfeians they will struggle this season unless they make major improvements and we expect the opposition to vastly improve starting this week at Seven Acre away (champions of the league below last season); however take nothing away from an excellent first day and a massive statement to the rest of league.

Finally, thanks to Keith and Bunny Beston, and Eddie Hill before them for preparing a pitch that is literally perfect.