Five Without Reply Seals Victory For Men's Firsts
- By Daryl Boyce
City traveled to bottom of the league Northampton Saints on Saturday 8 February hoping to pick up another three points and boost their goal difference ahead of next weekends promotion battle with Hampton in Arden.
The visitors started brightly and were took the lead in the opening minutes on as Rahul dribbled in to the D and slotted the ball in to the far corner of the goal.
It wasn’t long before Rahul doubled his tally with another cool finish after being picked out at the far post following a mazy dribble by Jamie.
The chase for more goals saw City lose their shape and the right hand post and an excellent double save from Scott were needed to keep the clean sheet in tact after a counter from the home side.
With the first half drawing to a close City looked to keep hold of the ball with some neat passing from Luke and Ross on the left flank but an uncharacteristic error from captain Declan saw the ball sliced behind for a long corner.
From the corner, City quickly recovered the ball and a long pass from Karl picked out an unmarked David M on the 25, the City forward turned and drove at goal before seeing a well hit shot saved by the home ‘keeper.
Coach Elsbeth’s half-time team talk covered the importance of pressing as a unit and making lead runs away from the centre of the pitch to in order stretch the opposition.
Rahul sealed his hat-trick early in the second half with a powerful strike which left the ‘keeper with no chance after some slick play down the right flank from Henry and Jacob B.
City made it four as top scorer David M finally made it in to double figures for the season as he deflected a powerful strike from Liam past the helpless home ‘keeper.
Rahul grabbed his fourth, and wrapped up the scoring, with another deflected finish after Ryan had battled his way in to the D and earned a short corner.
With five left on the clock, the game was briefly halted as the home ‘keeper was replaced after picking up an injury saving a shot from Mo H.
MOTM - Rahul - four goals.
DOTD - David M - “If you don't like how things are, change it! You're not a tree.”
Squad - Scott (GK), Liam, Boyce, Luke, Henry, Ross, Declan, Rahul, Karl, Jamie, David M, Ryan, Mo H, Jacob B
