Match Report - WANYAMAS IN PYJAMAS - 22 Nov 2017

Some can do it on a rainy midweek night under the lights at Longbenton, and some can't; Berocca Juniors now fall into the former category. In Champions League conditions, the lads stepped up their game and delivered against a Wanyamas in Pyjamas side packed with punch and talent.

It was a masterstroke from The Gaffer to move Jake Hawkyard out of net and into defence, bringing in Jared Liam Moore for his third appearance in a yellow and black strip. Hawkyard joined James Sproston in a two man defence, with Harri Saunders pushing further forward to play as the pivot in midfield. Saunders was flanked by Teddy Lee and Rowan South with Tom Allan leading the line.

The game plan up to half-time was to grind down the opposition, since they only brought eight players, one of whom was an escaped convict, who big Mr Catchpool spotted from across the pitch and swiftly sent for an early communal shower.

At the restart the Juniors shaped up differently, with more attacking-minded Brad Metcalfe taking the place of Saunders in the middle, Jack Cryer taking his place on the right-wing and Lee moving up top to pose more physical questions of the Pyjamas defence. The new lineup quickly clicked, as Sproston slid in Franks down the left before he pulled back to Metcalfe. The Juniors' No.5 then scored his first ever Juniors goal in his fourth appearance for the club, ending up on his backside after slotting into the corner from the edge of the box.

One world-class challenge from Hawkyard and a fingertip save from Moore kept the score at 1-0, before Teddy Lee managed to force the ball home from close range. Franks then wrapped up the win after the keeper fumbled Saunders' pass to the forward. The win has now moved the Juniors up to fifth in the league on a solid six points, with the Europa League in sight.

Congrats again to Mob Kitchen on reaching the 100k club. No doubt we'll join them there soon.