After a tough campaign the lads made sure they finished on a real high, with an outstanding team effort on the first team pitch and against a higher division side too. Howard was at times unplayable as he raced to a hat trick within the first 20 minutes. The first two were through characteristic pace and power and the third was another superb, unstoppable free kick, from at least 25 tlyards out.
On this occasion the midfield were dominant, well organised and physical, with a touch of class from Oliver who was switching play at every opportunity, or sliding defence splitting passes to Howard. Joey made his midfield debut and looked like he had done it all season, using his typically robust approach to disrupt and deny space to our opponents, who found it really hard to get any momentum at all. Jack and Louis were as good as we have seen all season and were commanding at the heart of defence. Their confidence was rising with every touch and they showed some really composed passing from the back. At times it was remarkable, as they linked brilliantly together and used Todd at right back, who was usually available and similarly composed, as well as a combination of Jacob or Finn as an outlet on the other side. Josh was in fine form too, with pace and aggression on the wing, with Finn adding some composure to the other side. Harry tried on every occasion to hold possession in midfield, creating and probing throughout.
At the half way point Jamie passed the gloves to Joey with a clean sheet in tact and set about controlling the midfield passing in Joey's place. Noah made his debut and whilst initially a little nervous he grew in confidence and played with tremendous energy and importantly, a big smile. Oliver was intent not to be outgunned by Howard and his fitness and energy saw him become an increasing threat in the second half, bagging a deserved brace and he was only inches from a brilliant headed third as he got in the end of another great Howard free kick.
All in all this was an outstanding team performance, with great energy, an appetite for passing and a real sense that the lads had worked out that football is very much about 'the team' rather than the individuals. There were some very tired legs at the end, but some very pleased and proud lads. Rightly so, they showed what potential there is for the future, especially when working so hard as a team together.
Well done to you all.