No Danger vs We Hate Barry

Being as Ed's on the skive (get well soon mate!) I'll have a crack at the match report this week.

The first time we've played We Hate Barry since two seasons ago, but we're a massively improved team now. They kicked off, and we got into them from the beginning, tackling hard but fair, and probing with our excellent passing. The first few minutes were quiet, a couple of routine saves for Martyn and a few shots from us. I was up front, and unfortunately massively hungover, so my shooting was a little awry, although I'd like to think my movement and passing made up for it!

Luckily, Smith had brought his laces with him this week, and the first goal soon arrived after a couple of sighters. Played up to him by Eddie (the first of 2 assists), he simply took a touch to turn, and then walloped the ball into the top corner, absolute cracker, 1-0.

After that we kept at them, supremely confident in our superior pace, power and defensive ability. I hit the far post from a tight angle, but soon enough, Smith had scored a second, pretty much a carbon copy of his first. 2-0.

Nearing half time, and using our substitutions magnificently to keep them on their toes, and up comes a contender for goal of the weekend (better than Roque's). Martyn rolled it short to Mike, who rolled it forward to Leigh, then back to Mike to complete the One-two, before Mike played a lovely ball to Kev who laced it into the top corner. After two excellent goals already, a great third to wrap up victory before half time.

At half time, we decided to keep it tight second half, figuring that they weren't joint top with us by luck. Fortunately enough though, we were wrong, and they were. We dominated posession, and attacking play, dragging their players all over the shop. Even when they started to commit men forward, our energy levels were such that we kept them at bay, and were able to counter.

I should have scored, hitting the post again after an excellent ball from Leigh into my feet on the penalty spot, a lucky missed control that made the ball jump up ripe for the volley, which struck the inside of the near post. My anger was unpalpable, and I got a bollocking off Mike for lying on the floor with head in hands. After that we played out the game, playing the ball into corners and keeping it tight with our good passing and intelligent play. As the whistle went, we celebrated beating our main rivals, going 2 clear at the top, and still having conceded NO GOALS! Good stuff.

Players: Martyn, Rich, Ed, Smith(2), Kev(1) and Leigh.

Mike Smith Man of the Match for a tireless performance, and 2 cracking goals.