The opening game of the season was away to Moredon FC at Cheney Manor and started with a minutes silence observed in support of an opposition bereavement earlier in the week.
Sean started with a very attacking line up: Geoff in goal; Stoner at RB and Leigh at LB with Chris (Capt) and Dan as CBs; Pricey and Tom in centre midfield with Darvs left and Zac right and Adam and Ali up front. Subs were Will and Lee with Arun travelling support and Jon running the line.
Frustratingly, it took about 15 minutes or so before the team settled with Ramsbury making too may unforced errors. It took a moment of brilliance by Darvs on the left to cut in an jink past two defenders and calmly slot the ball into the bottom left corner to get things going and make it 1-0. It certainly sparked the team into life and neat footwork by Adam and great passing football saw Pricey slot in a superb team goal to make it 2-0. It was then all Ramsbury who played great football and used the width of the pitch really well. A great cross by Zac on the right for Ali saw an equally great header give the opposition keeper no chance and make it 3-0. Moredon did counter on a few occasions and came close twice from excellent set pieces with Geoff in goal making a number of first rate saves to keep the score at 3-0. Ali was crudely bundled over in the area for a clear penalty and Tom stepped up and smashed in the pen to make it 4-0. A final flourish by Ramsbury saw another great pass by Zac to Ali who calmly slotted in to make it 5-0 just before half time and Ramsbury were in cruise control.
The start of the second half was a bit of a horror show as complacency set in and the opposition changed to a much more attacking formation to put Ramsbury on the back foot. They scored two quick very good goals and then a third with a very good header. Ramsbury were on the back foot with the match more evenly poised at 5-3. Sean was seething and discarded the sheepskin and informed the team in language I couldn’t quite make out that they needed to up their game. They duly got the message and Will (on for Stoner) and Darvs all combined really well to get Adam in behind the Moredon defence and he duly slotted in a peach of a goal to make it 6-3. Moredon lost the momentum (and the plot at times) and Ramsbury took full advantage with Zac and Ali combining yet again to see Ali get his hat trick and make it 7-3. Zac had a 30 yard chipped goal disallowed and Ali should have had a blatant penalty as the Ref struggled to control the game as the opposition became increasing frustrated. Lee came on to bolster the midfield just as the game slipped away from Moredon as they brought on a number of fresh younger players as subs, but to no avail, as Ramsbury played some superb football through the middle by Pricey and Tom to Ali and Zac who got in behind the Mordeon defence once again and it was Ali who made the telling touch to score and make it 8-3 and grab his 4th goal of the game. It stayed 8-3 to Ramsbury and a great opening game win and deserved 3 pts.
Man of the Match was unequivocally given to Ali for his superb 4 goals and the shirt of shame went to Pricey for shouting come on Marlborough to encourage the team! Well done to all involved and see you all at training on Tuesday night at the earlier time of 6 – 7.30 due to the light. Next match is at HOME v Bassett Bulldogs @ 2.30PM who also had a comprehensive win – should be a good game!
Pricey Shirt of Shame!!!!
Jo
