Match Report
As we travelled down to Cambridge in convoy, there was a mixed approach in the team’s preparations for the game as we met up at Corley services. The younger lads, who seem to be wholly unaffected by being on the ale until 5am the night before or by eating heavy stodgy food 2 hours before kick off, opted for a Subway. Being somewhere between that youth and being deemed “experienced”, I opted for a pre-prepared meal of chicken and asparagus. Having already accepted that youth, fitness and agility is a thing of the past, Bagpuss opted for a cheese and ham toastie and a milky coffee.
After almost every player getting a telling off from the groundsman for wearing their boots inside, we continued with our pre-season, well drilled pre-match preparations by smashing the ball into the net as hard as we could to see who could hit the hardest shot on Duffy’s radar. I won.
Line up- Bagpuss (GK), Gendall (RB), Duffy (CB), Doherty (CB), Williamson (LB), Hooper (CDM), Wise (Dan Wise Role), B. Handley (CM), Shields (RAM), Phillips (LAM), Holt (ST). Subs: Bradshaw, J. Handley.
Cambridge appeared to have a decent following but this turned out to be their subs bench. Then one supporter they did have looked like a cross between Andrea the Giant and Derek Trotter.
Cambridge were using the game as a trial game so subs were being made very early into the game. Unfortunately we had to make our own forced substitution very early when the captain jarred his knee after going in to make a fair challenge. Gendall to CM, Bradshaw on at RB.
The first goal came through Holt. A lovely run down the right by Bradshaw followed by a cut back to Holt who produced a delicious finish past the big goalkeeper. Ramblers continued to control the game around the constant disruption of Cambridge making subs who only decided to get ready after the other play had left the pitch. A bit of pressure by Shields in the corner led to a Cambridge throw. The lad threw it straight to Holt who was on his toes as he put it past the keeper again. Half time – 2-0.
Cambridge continued with their ineffective first half tactics; change a player every 2 minutes and then get the keeper to smash the ball down field as far as possible, mostly resulting in either a thrown in or a ramblers goal kick.
After a scramble around the goal, Wise got a foot on the ball which fell to Doherty who finished with aplomb.
A good bit of link up between Holt and Shields brought the 4th; the latter finishing with his left foot.
I can’t quite remember the Cambridge goal but there was one.
Despite the disruption, the ramblers kept organised and beat what was put in front of them with ease, continuing the great run of form we have seen so far this season. The invincibles continue with their tails up into the next game against Chester Nomads.
Up the ramblers.