JOB DONE

Subs

• Hill for Bissell

• Palmer for Mcloughlin

• Bissell for Halloran

• Mcloughlin for Abbott

• Abbott for Cardall

The Open Cup round 2 saw us playing hosts to  Division 4 Billsley.  We were always strong favourites to progress particularly considering our recent impressive form.

We used the game as another opportunity to rotate the squad.  This is in an attempt to keep everyone match sharp and of course to keep everybody on their toes.  This time is was Dayle and Graham who started on the bench.  Ryan continued on the right and Sonny would be tried on the left.  Peter’s injury meant Henry would drop into the back four and Mike C and Jacko swapped flanks in the defence.  It was also nice to see the fit again (almost) Mark Williams back in the side.

After a scratchy start we began to use the ball a little better but more often than not our final pass let us down.  We looked a little shaky and Billsley were obviously out doing themselves in a quest for a major cup scalp.  As we settled into our shape we started to link up a little better.  Sonny was using the ball better than anybody else.  Eagerly supported by Mike C we began to see some joy up the left. 

Our breakthrough came when Marks free kick evaded everybody and ended up in the far corner.  From this point on we had taken control.  The passing was slicker and our movement more assured.  We seemed to have gained a little more intensity.

Dylan and Mike H were causing major problems for the Billsley defence with their pace.  Goals started to come.  Dylan burst through after Sonny’s pass and composed himself to score.  Mike H then scored a typical classic strike from the edge of the box and Dylan had another when he brilliantly nut megged the defender and ran 40 yards, holding off the defenders before finishing as cool as you like.  Half time 4-0.  It could have been a few more, Rob hit the bar and their keeper made two good saves.

We rang the changes and within a minute of the re-start substitute Graham fed the other sub Dayle down the left.  Dayle’s fantastic cross was met with the goal of the game with a brilliant Halloran volley.

Only a few more minutes passed when Halloran showed real class to score again.  He bought down a long ball with the outside of his foot and slotted past the keeper.  For moment I thought I was watching Match of the Day.

More substitutions and more pressure and dominance.  Cardall had played solidly well all game and had also looked a danger in the opposition box.  He got a deserved goal when a corner dropped at his feet for him to stab home.

Graham was next to score his 1st of the season  when Sonny’s measure cross was superbly headed into the roof of the net.

If all this wasn’t enough we cannot forget Ryan’s great 2nd half hat trick.  3 cool finishes after breaking through showed us the very best of Ryan’s game.  Dylan completed the route when he completed his hat trick after latching onto Stevo’s through ball before going round the keeper and making it 12-0.

There were many solid performances but Sonny stood out for me.  He linked up our midfield and forwards with clever passes and intelligent movement.

It is never nice to beat a lower league team by so many but we can only play who is put in front of us.  I must compliment the players attitude for the way they went about their business.  This result to go with recent performance is a mark of how far we have come this season.  We are becoming a force to be reckoned with in Central Wark ’s and I doubt too many teams will really relish drawing us in the last 16.

Steve