Pelhams 11 Beat Grange!

Casuals & Pelham made it 4 wins from 4 in pre season as a bare 11 from Pelham beat their second premier division team in two weeks by another 4-2 scoreline. Pelham did it the hard way again by not only having 0 subs available, but also carrying a couple of injuries within that 11. It was an even bigger ask as Grange took the lead scoring the first goal of the game on the 20th minute mark, making it 1-0 to the away side. However Tim Shaw continued his scoring streak and evened the scores 10 minutes later as he was put in on goal by Lee Cuddeford, 1-1. Tired legs were starting to set in for the home side towards the end of the first half, but they hoped they could hang on and go in at the break even. However disaster struck and Grange took the lead again with a minute or so to spare in the first half, making it 2-1 to the away side. Pelham went in to the break behind and with no subs to change the game. However the eleven there are made of stern stuff and grouped together to battle back in the second half and win the game. They went out in the second half and fought hard to get the next goal. That goal came on the hour mark as a corner from Jamie Richards was headed towards goal by Ant Hamilton-Pilot. The Grange defender on the line had the opportunity to clear the header but couldn't and the ball trickled over the line making it 2-2, game on!! Pelhams tails were up and we're looking to take the lead for the first time in the game. The home side obliged and took the lead 10 minutes later with Tim Shaw returning the favour for earlier and this time putting Lee Cuddeford in on goal who kept his cool and made it 3-2 to Pelham. Pelham dug deep to hold on and put the game to bed with 5 minutes left as Tim Shaw got his second of the game, rounding the keeper and putting the ball in off the post, 4-2 to Pelham. The home side saw out the last 5 minutes beating their second premier opposition in as many weeks by another 4-2 scoreline. Thank you to the 11 that turned out today and kept the momentum going for the season! With a 30 man squad we should easily be getting more players out and this will be addressed this week before the season starts. Some stand out performers today with Tim Shaw taking his tally to 8 goals in 4 games as well as getting an assist and Lee Cuddeford getting his 4th goal in 2 games as well as getting himself an assist. Also Lee Simper playing through injury last week, Adam Watts finishing work at 6am and still playing a full 90 minutes, and literally everyone else in the pitch. Therefore today's man of the match award goes to all 11 players for putting a shift in, sticking together and getting the win! Cheers boys and let's get the rest of us back over the next couple of weeks before the season proper starts!!