Witton Albion JFC

4 – 0 Home win v Cuddington

Goals Oliver M 2 Sean 1 Jordan 1

I really wasn’t sure which way this was going to go this morning. I remembered that Cuddington gave us a great game at their place and they didn’t disappoint today either. The conditions were very challenging for both teams with swirling wind not making it’s mind up where it wanted to blow.

Early on there was mistakes being made by both sets of players that routinely they wouldn’t normally make. But who was there to save us when we needed it? Our talisman Dylan in goal – saving us on more than one occasions. He manages to stay focused even when he isn’t that busy which is a sign of real class.

Cuddington held us to a scoreless first half. We’ve not had many this season but arguably that was a fair reflection of the game – we weren’t at our best and the players could have had a touch more oooooooomph!

But the second half half just felt different and we began to look on the front foot. We began to win the first and second ball. However the conditions were still tricky and Cuddington continued to make life very difficult – it felt like it was going to end nil nil. But then our Captain got the ball and you could see he had a different look in his eye and he ran at Cuddington and he ran and he ran. He won a corner and even though Ellis went across to take it - I think he saw the look on Connor’s face that said ‘this is mine – we are going win this game’. Connor took a great corner and yes Howard is right you should always have somebody on the back post!!!! This time it was Oliver M to slot in a goal. I can honestly say I don’t think all of us have celebrated a goal so much all season – which is fantastic when you think we the league Champions and it is still important that we win. A sign of the quality of this team. Inspirational by our Captain and I know I am bias but Mike Slaney said it reminded everybody of Steve Gerard in Istanbul in 2005. 1 – 0 to Witton.

Another great game from Jordan upfront and he was brought down in the box after a great run. So where is our VC Josh to take the penalty . . . You have to admire the attitude of Jordan and Josh as Jordie asked if he could take it. He picked the ball up with confidence – this was an important part of the game and he was cool as a cucumber to make it 2 – 0.

It didn’t feel like we had subs as such as every player was on and off the pitch (great character). Ellis had a breather for 10 minutes and as he came back on he went straight to work with Sean as they did some great one touch footy down the left and Sean had the confidence of a veteran to slide the ball through the keepers legs to make it 3 – 0.

That felt like it was it game won but in fairness to our boys it’s never enough and George took a free kick just past the halfway line to find Oliver M again and his finish gave us a well deserved 4 – 0 win.

I can’t even highlight individuals because the second half involved every player but it did take a moment by our Captain Connor to make a difference and the rest of the players were like ruthless lions finishing off a wounded animal - this really is a great team.