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Newbury Forest 4 v 1 Manor Park Rovers

Well it was Super Sunday at the Stapleton Arena, but there was no sign of Andy Gray and Richard Keys. However what we did have was a Title six pointer between the leaders Manor Park rovers and the chasers Newbury Forest. With this being the first game to take place between the two sides it would be a good indicator as to where the league championship would be heading. Both sides knew it would a tough encounter and a defeat was not on the agenda.

With Newbury Forest missing a few and a new centre half combination some may have thought they would be a little apprehensive. However this team has grown in confidence as the season has gone on. As we are, we don’t fear any team because we believe we play good enough football to keep us in games. As the game started there was early pressure by both sides but no real breakthroughs. Manor Park had talented players up front and in the middle of the park who were causing problems. Nevertheless Newbury were causing problems of their own with there front 3 and supporting midfields. The break through came midway in the first half from a corner. Lil Pol hit in an inswinging corner from the left that the keeper misread and has gone straight in.

Back came Manor Park, a few sloppy free kicks given away by us lead to their equalising goal. A quick throw on found their playmaker in the box unmarked, he’s managed to turn and hit a great strike into the top corner 1-1. As the half wore on the dominance from Newbury Forest started to tell. With about 5 mins to half time we managed to get our noses in front. Jey Siva floated in a lovely ball for Andy Saunders to get in between two defenders and head home 2-1 Newbury. At half time we were the happier team, mainly because we knew we could still up it from the fist half showing.

Second half got under way and it was more of the same, Newbury keeping the ball and making manor Park work hard to win it back. We all knew that the next goal was the most important, and we needed it to represent all the possession we had. Andy lane now on at left back pulls off a stunning drag and leaves 3 defenders in his wake, he slips a great ball into Andy Saunders who finishes like we know he can, 3-1 and we’ve got a bit of breathing space. Both teams had a host of other chances the pick has to be Chester’s lob from 50 yards.

The fourth goal came from a free kick. Andy Saunders was brought down 10 yards outside the box, There player was given a yellow. From the resulting free kick the same player has charged it down, the ref deemed this as an infringement and has given him his marching orders, a bit harsh I thought but that was the ref’s choice. From that free kick I’ve managed to steer it into to the far right corner, spark the wild celebrations with Graham.

The only sour point in the game was my own sending off, the ref thought I left my foot in on the keeper, but I never touched him I was merely trying to flick the ball over his head. Both sending’s off were a bit harsh but that’s just what happens in football. The most important thing was the win; we now know if we win our games in hand we can win this league. All eyes will be on the return match which could end up being a title decider.

Starting Line Up:

Now for the ratings

Graham “The Non Smoking” Tritton GK
Didn’t really have much to do, and didn’t have a chance for their goal. Had a solid game. 7/10

Dave “Needs to stop smoking” De rijk RB
Started slowly but as the game wore on got into more attacking positions and was more of a threat. 7/10

Richard “Disco” Saunders CB
Another good outing for Disco, total 100% who gave us more aerial dominance at the back. 8/10

Arnold “Arhhhhhhhhhh” Djedje CB
Back after a week off and slipped back into the back four like he hasn’t missed a beat. 8/10

Tom “The Robot” Starling LB
Another good performance, just needs to bring the confidence he has in training to the game all the time. Showed glimpse of the attacking prowess he has. 7/10

John “Dirtiest Player in the Game” Hassan DM
Master of the tactical foul, always there to break up play and set the team on another attacking. 8/10

Tom “The Chosen One” Gibbings AM
Quiet game for our own GIBBO, again showed glimpses of how good a player he is, and can be. 7/10

John “Scholes from a corner” Galligan AM
Another big time performance by the little Pol. Great goal from a corner!!!, however may have a contender for Wooden Spoon with his miss from 8 YARDS OUT, over the bar and far away 8/10

Jey “Mr Danishhhhhhhhh” Siva WL
The boy was too hot to handle today, they couldn’t get anywhere near him. 8/10

Andy “20 goals a season” Saunders CF
Scored a delightful header hit the bar within another, turning into the complete Striker what more do they want. He’s even passing now too!!! 8/10

Alfie “Free kicks are mine Del” Egembah WR
Always lively and had the beating of the full back all day. Thought I was unlucky to get sent off, but should have shown more sense creating space and chances. 8/10

Subs

Dave “Man that’s a long Surname” Ademakinwa AM
Always a threat when he comes on. However I have noticed that every time he plays he ends up telling the other team that they’re not very good, love it 7/10

Andy “Now my Boots are really Dirty” Lane LB
Pulled off the best drag back I’ve ever seen when he sold 3 players with one move. Getting better and better every game he plays. 7/10

Dan “ROONEY” Chester AM
Talk about caged animal, came on had a shot tipped onto the bar, just misses with a lob from fully 50 yards (wooden spoon by the way), and manages to crunch their play maker. Not bad for half an hours work. 8/10

Goals
John Galligan
Andy Saunders 2
Alfie Egembah

Assist
Andy Lane
Jey Siva

Man of the Match
Andy Saunders