Sinas and Saints
After Hours 1 GPR 5
Given that we were without a keeper 5 minutes before kick off, things were looking *peachy* as an injury-riddled GPR lined up to face new boys After Hours. We entered the game with a degree of vengeance attached as news dawned that this week’s opposition were poaching one of our players. But the boys rallied in style with a dominant performance, putting 5 past the keeper and showing real signs of putting a springboard together from which we can push until Christmas. There’s plenty to talk about this week, so let’s get into it.
The day started in the worst possible fashion - a text from your goalie. With our other three keepers (which Sunday league side has four keepers?!) injured or out of country, it was the perfect storm for a rough Sunday morning. But our goalkeeeper coach Andy pulled through and the league helped sign him up to the Salads just minutes before the game began. Proceedings in the first fifteen minutes were looking good, our pace in attack exploiting After Hours’ backline. Jeff was finding space everywhere, rifling shots at their goal as we looked to take advantage of a bobbly surface. The midfield were holding their shape and we looked good value for the lead. Around the 20 minute mark, Jeff was played through and slotted home a richly deserved opening goal. The game held in the balance for the rest of the half, albeit we were taking the game by the scruff of the neck, limiting the opposition to errors on our behalf. At half time, the message was clear. Keep going and we win. Andy made it clear that they would only score if we gave them the opportunity. Andy would go on to ignore his own advice.
We continued the second half in the same manner that we entered the first. Breaking quickly enabled some more positive play out wide. Adam and Sam had each wing locked down tight, the former serving up a second half for the memory books with his solid defensive work and fearless battling going forward. Cal and Jack T were moving the ball at pace and with precision. Before long, Jeff had another opportunity to convert, this time placing it past the keeper to give us a well-earned cushion. A change in formation meant more direct attacking options out wide, but we continued to find joy in the middle of the pitch. However, at this juncture, we got a little cocky. An innocuous long ball found our defence, who with Andy moved the ball about until a panicked clearance found their forward, who intercepted and drove into the box for a well-placed, albeit entirely avoidable, lifeline. This may have phased the boys last season, but we stuck to the plan and, 10 minutes later, some quick feet from Jack T rolled the ball through to debutant George. He shifted to his right foot, and curled the ball into the top corner from 12 yards out with what would be the most important goal of the game.
With the 2 goal cushion restored, The Salads pressed on, and we looked imperious. The defence had little to do in the last 20 minutes, save for a dubious corner that should have been a stone cold red card from a sweeping Andy. With 10 to go, he redeemed himself with a long ball over the defence to see Jeff bag his hat trick in just his second appearance for the club. Minutes later, our hat-trick hero capped a brilliant midfield counter by squaring the ball to the holding golden boot winner, Rory. Needless to say, he dispatched the task at hand with ease, although he’ll be feeling the pressure of retaining his title after a clinical outing from the new striker. The two together look unstoppable, and it was great to see them combine at the end to seal the win. Overall, it was a fantastic display with plenty of controversy in between. There were incredulous referee calls that went against both sides, including the decision to send off one of the opposition for arguing - although I have a feeling he may regret shushing us whilst 3-1 down. We are now established in mid-table, but there are still plenty of new teams to play at each end and everything all to play for. After this weekend, we can’t wait.
MOTM 🤌 = Jeff of course. On just his second appearance he was a constant threat and goals never looked in doubt. Adam also had a blinder, Yannick did exceptionally as a makeshift CB. Credit to Doug and Sam for their tireless running across the 90 minutes and George for his debut finish.
DOTD 💀 = The dreaded back pass.
