Terry demanded ‘3 points – minimum’. By the game’s end, we were on board with his thinking. For this felt like 4. An 87th-minute winner from James Tilley in a hard-fought and hard-won match capped an organised, compact team performance and two notable individual ones. Oaksey in goal made two absolute wolrdies – the first tipping round the post in horizontal flight after a dangerous ball across the 6-yard box was deflected by a Merton boot. The second a point-blank stop on the line with his feet from a close-range header. Our number one had no right to reach either of them.

At the other end, Femi ran the Weirside defence ragged, first breaking clean through and winning a penalty (and if it was a pen, which it was, and a clear goal-scoring opportunity, which it was, why no punishment for the defender?). Jonesy also let the opposition off the hook from the spot.

No matter – Femi wasn’t done yet, collecting a defence-splitting pass from Wilgo before bamboozling his opponents and sending a searching cross into the area, finding Tilley who gave the move the ending it deserved by sweeping home with a first-time left foot volley from 10 yards. Big celebrations followed, particularly after the assorted unpleasantness from Weirside’s number 8 (stamping this week, head-butting the last time we played)

Other performances of note: Clowesy at right back was an insurmountable brick wall for their left-winger. And Kevin partnering Clappers had 90 minutes remarkable for their composure and assuredness. Chris Rayner on the left of the front three ran himself into the ground, his quality consistently high.

Talking of consistent. Three games. Three wins. And a minimum three points.

Team: Oaksey (GK), Clowesy, Clappers, Kev Wood, Jonesy, John Lynch, Tilley, Will Low (Browner), Vanny (Willgo), Femi, Rayner

MOM:

Written by:Willgo

Posted in Match Reports 1s