Ahh, the suns out, the cold beer is flowing nicely and England are getting thumped in the Ashes. Summer has finally come? And yes, the football season officially starts (well it started yesterday with a dull 0-0 draw M’boro v Sheff U). Couple this with Southampton Millwall at lunchtime, and Newcastle WBA this afternoon and Brid hosting Pickering in between, football saturation begins now for 11 months – what with it being a World Cup year and all that !
We had three out with suspension for today, possibly 4 if Flesh had a pending suspension but he was away on holiday. So it would be interesting to see how big the squad is and how they would gel for their first competitive outing of the year. Pickering were one of the better teams to come to Queensgate last year but had a really bad run in, losing 12 of their last 16 games. They had beaten us 4-1 at Queensgate in front of 191 hardy souls, though we did exact sweet revenge at their place with a late Phillo winner direct from a corner.
There were quite a few in today, I estimate about 200, which is a shame, because we played some exceptional football today and really could have (should have) blown Pickering away about 9-1. Alex Rhodes, Danny Buttle, Tom Fleming, Palms, Jack Wilkinson and Ash Allanson were awseome all running tirelessly, and giving the opposition very little time on the ball when they had it. At the back, Ash was his normal calm self, good support by Ben Knapper in the other full back spot. Adam Mountford played well in central defence, did appear to look a little nervous early doors but grew with stature as the game went on. I think Tom Lee (?) beside ADam also looked nervous, gave the ball away in compromising situations a couple of times but again grew with confidence as the game went on.
Palms scored a sublime goal on 42, kick down the pitch by Mark Wilberforce Palms shrugged off the last man and chipped the goalie from 20 yards.
After 62 they equalized with a scrappy affair, I couldn’t see it too well as I was at the other end.
Ash Allanson wins a penalty, when for the third time, he is upended in the box, he takes the penalty himself and we go 2-1 up on 70 minutes.
6 minutes later Jack Wilkinson breaks free and provides a clinical finish against the keeper when 1 on 1
And on 89 Palms cooly finishes for his second and our fourth.
We did have the ball in the net a fifth time but it was disallowed for off-side.
Brillaint effort from the team, those missing may wonder if (&when) they will get back into the team when those who replaced them, did so well today.
After reviwing the NCEL site, we are fourth after that victory on goal difference. Hallam winning 9-1 AT Brodsworth Welfare are top.
Apologies for the lack of Twitter updates, we couldn’t log back on after the first goal.
A great preformance from the lads in the summer sun. I was surprised we didn’t have a drinks break a la Liversedge last season!
I had to laugh when one of their subs ran by and said that the pitch was sh*t! We reminded him of Hendrick’s recent award and sympathised with him that we didn’t have a slope for him to climb like at their spot!!!