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It was clash of the old Titans at the Newbury arena, with two old foes going at it. It was back to league action and a must win game as we push for the league title. We knew it was going to be a tough affair as they will really want to come at us and try to get the win that would help their own season get back on track. Conditions were a little windy which meant we knew we would come under pressure from set pieces. We also knew that once we had the wind we too would be able to use that to our advantage.

Patience was the key, we knew that we would be younger and fitter, so it meant that we needed to keep the ball and make them work for it. So at half time when it was 0-0 we didn’t panic as we had been playing into the wind and knew that we had been the better side and had chances to score. It just meant that we had to start taking the chances we were creating and also still being patient as that’s how the chances were being created.

As with anything once you get the ball rolling it’s as easy as pie. Once we scored the first which was a really well worked free kick, the others followed suit. They had to come out of their shell as they went looking for the equaliser, but as they did this it left space in behind for us to exploit.

All in all it was a comfortable game that we controlled from start to finish, but we needed to be professional in our play in which we were.

Starting Line Up:

Now for the ratings

Graham “Newbury’s no. 1” Tritton GK
Didn’t really have much to do, but did what he had to do well. 7/10

Chris “Sick note no more” Wallbank RB
Worked hard down the flank, but match fitness told in the later stages. Needs a couple more games to get back to his predator best.  6/10

Nick “Thank God he’s finally scored” Marrable CB
Finally got off the mark for the season, finished well from a training ground routine!! 7/10

Kye “Daddy” Braithwaite CB
Got about his job quietly and did his job well. 7/10

Tom “Pretty Boy with the crew cut” Starling LB
Got back to his marauding runs down the left, and even had a few shots on goal. 7/10

Brad “Messi’s making it rain” Gates DM
Even though he was holding, still managed to get forward and have some shocking efforts. Apart from that is forging a good partnership with Laney. 7/10
 
Andy “I wanna score” Lane AM
Literal did everything he could do to score; besides that gave us a good balance by switching the ball down both sides quickly. 7/10

Jon “Lil Pol in Midfield” Galligan AM
Back to his effective best, moves the ball well and gives us a different edge when going forward. Took his goal very well. 8/10

Joe “The Flying Italian” Mariani WR
Always a threat when he gets the ball to feet and runs at defenders. 7/10

Dave “Shut your mouth man” Ademakinwa CF
Had a difficult game but kept on plugging away and working hard. 6/10

Jey “Back to being Big Time” Siva WL
Back to the Jey we know and love, running at defenders, putting crosses in and scoring goals. 8/10

Subs

Alfie “Wooden Spoon” Egembah CF
Big players put themselves up there to get shot down, but boy was that a miss. However the finish for his goal was superb. 7/10

Toch “Indian Baggio” Singh AM
Starting to affect games like we know he can, he moved the ball around really well and created chances. 7/10

Danny “War Lord” Chester RB
Is there a position this man can’t play. Strong in the tackle and excellent going forward. 7/10

Goals
Nick Marrable
 Jey Siva
Jon Galligan
Alfie Egembah

Assists
Jey Siva 2,
Toch Singh
Dave Ademakinwa

Man of the Match
Jey Siva