5s BACK ON THE HIGH-SCORING CLEANSHEET EXPRESS TRAIN

Update 1/2/15: video now online at http://youtu.be/YKlnmqvatsQ

Sevenoaks showed to be a side that was well structured and sensible, certainly not deserving of the low place in the league table. And their goalkeeper was once again on fire. The first 20 mins were very even and both sides fought it out. Charlie scored first, keeping it all to himself on a short corner with a trap and clean hit straight into goal.

Ben hit beautifully from the top of the D (reverse stick?), around backboard height, and Paul Baker deflected it in. The ball was heading into the goal, but the way the keeper was playing, it was good for Paul B to deflect it in. Well done to both. So we went 2-0 at half time.

Sevenoaks was a well organised team and showed that they knew how to play. If the score had gone to 2-1, we may well have ended up with a fright. But at 3-0, it seemed that Sevenoaks’ morale dropped and we ran away with it. Zac’s two goals both came from shots near the top of the D – similar to previous weeks and very effective. Zac had some other brilliant shots at goal, but they were saved by The Great Goalkeeper.

Ollie’s two goals were from play closer into the keeper, with one lifted up and over. But once again, we lose track of the goals in high scoring games (sorry!).

And so the match ended at 6-0, with the last three goals feeling rather leisurely – the carnival was back in town. The team saw some improvements in game play - the previous two matches’ lack of marking was slowly being resolved, but maybe not quite there yet. It was good to have captain Jamie Cotgreave back, safely ensuring no repeat of the early season 0-0 mishap.

Many thanks to Martin Harris for umpiring the 5s game (and to Joni Coleman for umpiring the 3s). Man of the match went to Zac with two stunning goals and some great match play in the midfield. We were fortunate to be able to draw on the deep reserve of defenders, and had Carney Battenti play for us at late notice after two of our players were out with sickness/injury. Carney had a great game, valuable for forthcoming matches. Well done to Oliver Payne with two goals, and I neglected to mention him last week – welcome back to playing matches with the club!