The Big Match

Big game v our very own Torps A who contained 4 B team players from this seasons squad. We knew this would be a tough game so we prepared to try and knock them off their game early with a fast start and dent their confidence.

We got off to the perfect start after 2 mins when Derek swung in a corner direct into the top corner. We then went 2-0 up almost immediately when Spaldo took a throw in to Tom Hedges who slipped Spaldo in to pull back for Derek to fire home with his right foot.

We had the chance to go further ahead when awarded a soft penalty for a foul on Hedges. Derek stepped up but young Joe Woodworth guessed the right way and saved the pen.

We were soon 3-0 up though on 15 mins when derek slipped in Hedges who fired in from the edge of the area.

Torps A then got a goal back when a cross from the right was parried out by Jamie in goal and Bingo smashed home to make it 3-1. Hedges extended our lead to 4-1 just before the break when his free kick was deflected and crept over the line.

So 4-1 at the break and it was a great performance but we couldn’t rest on our laurels. We brought on Alan at right back for Theo and Ian for Spaldo. Mike Stevenson also came on for his debut in place of the excellent Matt Chapman who was blowing out of his arse.

Torps A started the 2nd half with more determination and dominated possession in the first 15-20 mins and forced another goal when Tom Hedges headed into his own net to make it 4-2.

In fairness we didn’t panic and went to a narrow 3 in the middle to try and deal with their 5 man midfield. Derek got his hat trick after 70 mins with a fantastic 25 yard free kick into the top right corner. Spaldo then made it 6-2 with a criss/shot that looked over joe. Theo came back and set up the 7th with a great pull back for Mike Stevenson to smash home his first goal for Torps to complete a resounding victory. Every player put in a real shift today and it was a real TEAM effort. It was a close call for MOM with hat trick hero derek getting 4votes but Matt Chapman nipped him with 5 votes for a barnstorming midfield performance.