The first home match of the Loughts Men's 4s "new year" season was at home to local rivals Redbridge, who arrived on the back of a heavy defeat to Crostyx last week. Coming off the back of a well-earned and vital draw ourselves last week, the team knew it was important to keep focused and improve upon that performance.
The message from Captain Rob today was very clear - to play as a team, and score as a team. We all knew that if we switched on from the start, and with intensity, we would reap the rewards come the end of the match. The team were eager to put this theory to the test (as it were), and as the umpire's whistle blew, we flew out the traps just as Fonz called pre-match, "a Capella" style.
Dan led the way on the scoring front today, setting the team on the path to victory by dispatching three goals away inside the first 10 minutes of the match. Jordan also got himself an early goal in between Dan's "dancing" blitz, converting the sheer intensity that we had started the game with, into a "blink-and-you-will-miss-it" 4-0 lead. Jordan then scored his second of the match with a composed sliding shot through the Redbridge keeper, making it 5-0 inside 20 minutes. Despite the struggles that Redbridge have had this season, it was definitely our best start to a match this year. We moved the ball so well and exploited the space on the pitch with our pace and pressure throughout the team, all the way from the forwards to the defence. Captain Rob found himself in a rather different position today, watching events unfold from within the width of a goal frame, but was simply unflappable in dealing with the few touches he made (on and off the pitch).
There then came a slight drop-off in our free-flowing scoring for the first time today. I suppose this may have partly been because of my own absolute inability to put the ball in the back of the net at very close ranges - first with a completely free shot at goal that put more of a dent in the pitch than it did in the scoreline, then at the back post attempting to deflect in an arrow of a ball fired across by Dan. However, despite these challenging chances, I did actually manage to get on the scoresheet after slowing down and placing the ball beyond the helpless keeper and defender on the line. Relief flooded through my body and this meant I had been able to keep my word to Dev, dedicating the goal to him as he recovers from injury.
Anyway, enough about me, as the best goal of the day (as decreed by Neil in his weekly roundup) was just moments away. With the ball rebounding high off the opposition keeper, Josh found himself in its path and without a moment’s hesitation, lifted his stick high above his head, connecting perfectly to drive the ball home on the reverse. A true moment of brilliance and instinctive finishing to get his second goal of the season.
Halftime soon put an end to a breathless first half of scoring, and gave the team a chance to regroup before going again. Captain Rob, from his prime position on the pitch, encouraged the team to keep up the energy in our play, and even to apply more pressure on our local rivals.
The second half started just like the first, with a goal from Dan. This time, an elegantly-lofted flick into the top corner put away our second short corner goal of the day, and rounded off an outstanding performance from our magician. Again, the game then went a bit quiet for the next 20 minutes or so as Redbridge fell further back and we were not quite putting together moves to add to the scoreline. One player, though, that did not waver in his game today was Sean, whose endless energy and ability to drive up the field always kept open an outlet on the right.
Around the hour mark, the goals started to come once more as Sam netted an incredible 8 minute hat-trick with his unrelenting goal-scorer’s instinct on full show. He now moves onto 8 for the season and 1 behind top scorer Richard. Soon after Sam's whirlwind hat-trick, Connor added a final goal of the match after going close earlier in the half, drawing him level with Dan on 6 for the season. Before the final whistle, there was still just enough time for Captain Rob to thwart a sole Redbridge foray into our 'D', to keep hold of a goal-keeping clean sheet of his own. Full-time came shortly afterwards and the team could now celebrate a fantastic result with a well-earned drink, and teas in the clubhouse.
MoM this week was a close-run contest, but went to Sean for setting an example for the team to follow with his boundless energy and attacking threat from deep. DoD this week was, unsurprisingly, rather more clear-cut and given to myself for providing my own example of how not to finish (well, for the most part). Special mention this week goes a few ways. Firstly, a huge thank you to Fran for keeping note of all of today's events, and persisting with a stubborn Pitchero block later on. Secondly, to Roly who made his debut for us today, putting in a stellar performance that was only short of what would have been a deserved goal, having gone close on a few occasions. And lastly, to Mike for his shocking nomination of Captain Rob for DoD. Though the team were astounded by this, no one was more shocked than our keeper today, as he looked utterly dejected for the next 10 seconds.
Eleven wins from twelve, forty-nine goals scored, and thirty-four points secured. The Loughts Men's 4s build upon last week with a complete and ruthless performance this time around against Redbridge. Next week is the return of a clash most eagerly-anticipated with the 5s. Having a great season of their own, it will be far from an easy match to navigate for the team. However, we look forward to the challenge that may lie in wait for us. A massive well done all, and as always, let's keep rolling.
Old Loughts Men's 4s Key Stats so far this Season
Goals scored: 49
Goals against: 6
Goal scorers: Richard 9, Sam 8, Luke 7, Connor and Dan 6, Jordan 4, JP 3, Andrew and Josh and Ryan 2
Assists (incomplete): Fonz 7, Connor 5, Dan 4, Richard 3, JP and Mike and Jordan and Andrew 2, Captain Rob and Mathuran and Ryan and Josh 1
Clean sheets: 7 (12)
Short corner conversion rate: 18/64 roughly (30.3%)
MoM: Connor and Luke and Ryan 2, Josh and Will and Oli and Richard and Harrison and Sean
DoD: Dev and Captain Rob 2, Dan and JP and Will and Sean and Mathuran and Luke and Ryan (Virtue)