CRC 6 Walsham le Willows 0
After three weeks of inactivity, the last eight days have brought three wins with 15 goals and none against. Even more importantly, following our under par performance on Wednesday against Ely, we played the kind of football that we are capable of producing especially during a superb opening 20 minutes. Some of the goals were top quality and most pleasing is the continued progress of our first year scholars. Four 16 year olds in the starting line up says it all.
Way back on Saturday 8th August, Walsham made sure that we started our league campaign with a defeat. The fact that we are unbeaten since is a remarkable achievement by a team so young and we certainly went into this match feeling as though we wanted to put right a result from almost six months earlier. Within the opening 20 minutes this had been achieved.
Walsham are also the only team so far this season in any competition to stop us scoring. This time we were able to breach their defence after just five minutes, although we did require a slice of luck. Luke Berry mishit a shot from the edge of the box but fortuitously the ball reached the feet of Adam Marriott. He spun and shot in an instance to convert the first chance of the game with a neat low shot into the far bottom corner.
This triggered a spell of football that blew away our visitors and is up there with the best we have produced at home this season. After having to grind out a result on Wednesday, we were back to our free flowing best, popping the ball about at good pace whilst creating angles and numerous options going forward.
The quality of the goals was indicative of our overall play.Luke Berry, the heart beat of our team, scored our second, firing into the top corner from 20 yards and was involved in all our attacking moves. He lends the ball to players rather than passing it. He is perpetual motion but always composed. He is going to be a real player.
Our third goal showcased the ability of Blaine Hudson, the other recipient of a recent contract offer. His diagonal pass beyond their left back, with backspin to keep it in play, was sublime. Jordan Patrick beat his opponent, stood up a fantastic far post cross and Jack Igglesden arrived on cue with a controlled right foot volley to open his scoring account for CRC. The goal was a demonstration of how simple football can be when players execute their skills and make the right decisions.
Finally, James Brighton joined the party with a 25 yard free kick over the wall and beyond the keeper's despairing dive for our fourth. His left footed strike, which kissed the underside of the bar, showed fantastic technique and a glimpse of James' quality. He is a fantastic prospect and the sight of our two young full backs attacking space with such freedom and avoiding challenges with such fantastic dribbling ability is one for sore eyes. They are improving their defending and offer a real threat going forward.
I should also mention Jack Igglesden, a first year striker who is getting fitter and closer to completing 90 minutes. He gives our attacking play an added dimension by recycling the ball quickly, holding the ball up and giving us a focal point, allowing midfield players and full backs to make runs off the front men. He is also a poacher and as well as getting involved in the build up play, Iggy will score goals. Now his hard work in training is being rewarded with minutes on the pitch, he must ensure that he kicks on rather than dropping back into his comfort zone.
Being critical, we took our foot off the gas after the flurry of goals and stressed the point at half time about maintaining a good tempo and good habits even if the points looked secure. An early goal, which started in the right back position before being worked to the inside left channel, indicated that our words had been digested. The finish by Maz with his left foot was as clinical as the build up and Liam Hughes' through ball.
Even during the first half onslaught our visitors looked dangerous on the counter attack and our young back four had to have their wits about them to ensure a fourth consecutive clean sheet. At the other end, we continued to threaten and Maz was guilty of taking too many touches on a couple of occasions when a first time finish was required.
The work ethic of the team never dropped though and whilst three substitutions slightly disrupted our fluency, all three players contributed during their minutes on the pitch.In fact one of them, Jack Bailey, completed the scoring in the dying moments with a sharp turn and strike from his favourite inside right position.
In summary, this was an excellent performance with our opponents demoralised by our opening burst.At times our football hits the heights and whilst we will still challenge the players to improve and retain the ball more consistently throughout the whole 90 minutes, there were moments of real quality which shows the continued progression of the team. The group is now looking to have a much greater strength in depth and the development of the first year scholars in becoming an integral part of the starting XI is exactly what we need with the almost permanent elevation of McAuley, Coakley & Ives to the first team squad.
Next on our agenda is a very difficult Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup Quarter Final at Mildenhall on Tuesday. When we took maximum points from Recreation Way in November, I remembering praising our hosts and predicting a vast improvement in their league position.This has proved to be the case and we will have to be at our best to progress further in this competition.
Team: Davies, Thorpe, Brighton, Bevan, Hudson, Hughes (Allen 65), Eades (Kessack 65), Berry, Igglesden (Bailey 75), Marriott, Patrick
