League Match 05/09/09 Oxford Arms- 1
Pot Black F.C- 5
Match Overview- With D-Day finally arriving after a long but positive summer, manager Danny McKinley was not surprised as usual to find himself faced with a selection crisis... Too many players not enough positions!
Pot Black's pre match was extremely jovial with Richi Reeder who had been AWOL since last season committing to PB for another year Saturdays and Sundays, and Gav Hunt (pictured) asking for a new profile picture as he looked chubby on the last one, good choice Hunty you look so handsome in the new one.
Oxford Arms on first inspection looked a much tougher adversary than last term with Aaron Denning, Gareth Wright, Bergen, Shane McGarvey and Tosh Reeder all starting for the home side, with the opening exchanges proving a cagey affair, with Kev Sherwood coming to the rescue with a fantastic one on one save.
Adam Tantony partnered Darren Laws in the heart of the P.B defence in the absence of Darren Boyd and Danny Rose, meaning Max Wall wore the armband for the first tine since being named vice-captain this summer.
After several ineffective corners from the visitors, a Paul Taylor drive was expertly fired home by Darren Laws freed of his defensive shackles to take an early lead. A great move shortly after saw good work by Vinny Terry, lead to a ball from Adam Tantony falling in front of Ian Wilson who drew out the keeper before powering the ball over his head into the top corner.
L'Orange made it 3-0 just before the break when big Gav Hunt swivelled outside the box before smashing an effort home and through a hole in the net, which caused brief controversy before the excellent R. Bullent pointed to the half way line.
Following the interval Oxford struck back after a corner by the yellows was met by a firm header with the men in Orange asleep after the break.
Max Wall now scored a pivotal goal in his captains role when he burst through the Oxford back line with the ball heading for an opposition goal kick he managed to wrap his left foot around the ball whipping the dangerous cross deep and against the back post and straight into the net.
L'Orange now sent 3 of their 5 substitutes into the action with Adam Bird replacing Paul Taylor with Jordan Wardrope and Keith Doddington replacing Ian Wilson and Rob Cooper respectively.
The match was sealed from the spot after Tosh Reeder handled in the box with Adam Bird confidently stepping up after being baited by Lawsy who after his first half strike taunted "....I'm going to score more than you this year!!!!" as he blasted home without a care in the world.
The score could easily have been more with Vinny Terry going close one on one and Keith Doddington rounding the keeper only to see his effort scraped off the line.
A great start boys but there is still much work to be done as we search for our top form but the desire and attitude was there for all to see. Special praise must also go to Gary Boyd who was the unused sub today, which is never nice but he led by example and I hope you all follow suit when you are asked to take your turn. Many Thanks.
Goals- Darren Laws, Ian Wilson, Gav Hunt, Max Wall & Adam Bird
G.H.Windows & Doors M.O.M- Darren Laws, a solid performance by the big man with great leadership qualities, plenty of chat and the opening goal to boot.
