This week saw a rare home game for the 4s as we hosted St Ives 5 (strangely our 3 were playing their 4s before our match as well and won so could we do the double.)
Recently we have been quick out of the gates and proved again today, taking the lead after 6 minutes when Doug slotted home from close range having been set up nicely by Shaun. The next came soon after when yet again I ended up under the keeper but managed to get the ball through his legs to slowly cross the line, celebrating as I got untangled from the keeper only to find out Shaun had had the last touch with the ball on the line, as the ball had almost stopped and a defender coming in to potentially clear. It even went to VAR (umpire Nick) who confirmed it was Shaun’s goal. The Captain in me went good choice, if in doubt you’ve got to make sure it goes in……the player in me thought something else!
If this steal was the right thing to do, the next was just brutal. Bruno driving into the D down the right went round 2 players, manage to sit the keeper down and shoot into the open goal for what would be his first senior goal. With no other defenders in the D and the shot bang in the middle of the goal it look certain Bruno would score. Unfortunately and inexplicably Shaun, on the edge of the goal line just instinctively deflected the ball the last 2 inches. (it’s that striker instinct that’s made him the 4s top scorer, but unfortunately didn’t engage brain quick enough time to pull out) Oh atleast 3:0 up and DOD sorted for the day.
Shaun then came provider with a prefect injection for Doug to score again from a short corner, with a powerful shot into the bottom corner just before half time.
4:0 up, but a half mired by an injury to Seb who rolled his ankle and was out for the game (luckily a bye week next weekend) A bit of a defensive reshuffle and the restart, saw St Ives come back into the game for a bit and caught us on the counter a couple of times.
There was a race to see who could get to their hat trick first, Doug or Shaun when the next goal came, one provided the assist the other the goal with a calm little manoeuvre and shot in the D, lifting the ball up passed the keeper. No doubt this one was Shaun’s. The final goal came 10 mins from the end and this time Ed took the shot (could he make it 3 goal in 3 games for the 4s) and now the debatable bit, half the team though it was going in, half thought it was going wide, but Shaun was again there to ensure it went in. Again if in doubt put it in.
The last 10min saw a more defensive attitude as we wanted to keep yet another clean sheet, and we managed to do so.
Back to the bar for Shaun’s round and despite his constant apologies to Bruno, who to his credit and our amusement gave Shaun a particularly hard time about it throughout teas!
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Player of the Match – Bruno– Endless energy, great driving runs into the D, tackling back and a great first senior goal….oh no I forgot pinched off the line by Shaun!
D0D – Shaun – doubles down on last weeks DOD win, with not once, but twice (and possibly a third is still being debated) theft of other people’s goals on the line or an inch out. Stealing mine, fair enough, genuinely worried a defender may have got to the ball as it was slowly trickling over the line, Ed’s may or may not have been going wide, but the one off of Bruno’s was just brutal.
Champagne moment – All 25 players, 2 umpires and a couple of spectators gasp of utter disbelief as Shaun steals what would have been Bruno’s first senior league goal (after driving into the D, beating two players and the keeper)
Captain’s mention – Despite the justifiable ribbing, Shaun’s impact today was tremendous either scored or assisted in all 6 goals, and takes his tally to an impressive 40 direct goal contributions (scoring or assisting) for the season. Not only being top scorer for the 4s but also top in the number of assists, so clearly not a selfish player….well most the time!