Great team performance sends 3's three points clear at the top

Horatio, Tommy B, Felix S, Mack C and debutant Josh T showed that the club has a bright future, with all 5 juniors playing a key role in a hard fought 2-1 win at Burnt Ash.

With lots of changes it took the team a little bit of time to settle and Burnt Ash capitalised on a mis-placed pass to counter-attack and take the lead. Encouragingly the team didn't let their head drops and through the half built more and more pressure on Burnt Ash, finally rewarded with a neat finish from Tom Fantom (now joint top-scorer) and bringing the team in 1-1 at half time.

After some non-regulation Haribo Jelly Babies (they were on offer!) at half time the second half didn't start well as the captain Chris Stewart decided to give the ball away straight from the push back and invite a period of pressure that luckily the other defenders dealt with more adeptly. However it was the Burnt Ash D that started to be under pressure, with short corners and a goal-line save from a Mat Thewlis shot. Quick thinking saw Ed Willshire play a pass from the sideline into Chris, unmarked whilst unexpectedly in the opposition half, a pass to Grant Edwards eliminated a defender, before Grant did the same to play Mack C into the D, before he cooly finished past the keeper.

The team had to ride some pressure, especially with some decisions that were also punished with green cards for Ed for questioning the umpire and then Will for a back-stick and accompanying eye roll at the umpire (ironic given he warned the team at the start of the game not to talk back to that umpire in particular!). Horatio made a couple of key saves and the defence held strong to ensure a 2-1 win, other results meaning a 3-point lead at the top of the league.

Men of the Match were Ed Willshire and Tommy B, for some expert passing and defending respectively. DotD went to Will G (under much protest!) for his Green card after not following his own advice - he'll make sure to get the Maynard's Jelly Babies in next week.