Match Report

All the players were raring to go for our first game of the season and it showed. We dominated play from the start creating early chances. We were in hardly any trouble at the back and the scoreline could easily have been six or seven.

A slick passing combination down our right flank saw Alex Wray cross for Daniel Laurant to score our first goal at the far post. A few minutes later saw our best move of the game, started by a clearance in his own box from Wray, then a combination of passes with Tom Skrine and Liam Hunt down the right flank, Wray crossed again and Jake Adams connected with what looked like a perfect volley from the edge of the box but it hit the bar and fell to safety.

The irrepressible Ricky Stevens seized on some hesitant defending in the Coulsdon penalty box and scored our second. So, 2-0 at half-time.

We started the 2nd half where we left off in the first, our pressure soon told as a Coulsdon defender handled in the box, Stevens stepped up and despatched the spot kick with ease leaving the goalkeeper helpless. We squandered several chances thereafter, and at times overpassed the ball, Danny Holmes was clean through on goal only to see his chipped effort sail over the crossbar. Additionally there seemed to be some very questionable linseman flagging going on from the opposition. Soon afterwards we got our fourth, an own goal headed into the roof of his own net by an unfortunate Coulsdon defender from a Stevens corner.

Darren, with his 16 man squad, made changes in the 2nd half and every player that came on played excellently and all had a positive effect on the game.

Overall this was a very good performance, George Burkett had little to do in goal, in defence, Alex Black won his share of headers and Giorgio Fullone (captain) had an assured and sound performance alongside him. Full backs Skrine and Stuart Milner gave good performances, distributing the ball with intelligence. Adams and Stevens look like a good combination in centre midfield, while Carl Bossley and Wray found plenty of space down the flanks. Upfront Laurant and Hunt were always giving the Coulsdon defence something to think about and were a constant problem. Holmes used his quick thinking intelligently, Danny Thrussell and Redmond Barnett gave strong physical performances and James Keyworth and Lee Myatt put in spirited efforts in the team’s cause.

There’ll be harder games to come but this was a good start for the lads.