Hemingford Colts 121106

Week 9: 12^th November 2006

Hemingford Colts 0 – 10 Comberton Crusaders

Crusaders cemented their position at the top of the table with another consistent display of high-quality, passing football, notching ten unanswered goals against a hard-working Hemingford side.

As usual Crusaders were quickly into their stride, and an early cross from TomB saw Joe rise to head unluckily against the bar. Good approach play then found Charlie in space in the area, and when his powerful drive was parried Joe was close enough to stretch out a leg to net the rebound for the opening goal. Hemingford nearly levelled when they broke through and hit the bar from distance, but it was Crusaders who went further ahead when TomB’s quick throw from close to the byeline fell invitingly to Joe, who crashed in a power shot off the underside of bar from the narrowest of angles.

Some open play ensued as Hemingford tried to pull one back, but Paul, Huw and CT dealt competently with the home attackers. Crusaders continuing to threaten, however, and after Joe went on a run into the box to set up a chance for Charlie, the next attack saw Joe and TomB link up well for the latter to fire a trademark shot high over the keeper from a sharp angle to make it 3-0. A brilliant flying save then denied TomB another, while more good defending from Paul and James kept things tight at the back for Crusaders. Hemingford were rocked again when their keeper’s goal-kick went straight to TomB, whose shot from edge of area hit the underside of the bar a-la Geoff Hurst, but clearly went over the line to notch Crusaders’ fourth.

Hemingford then conceded a free-kick in ‘TomB territory’ just outside the area, and the Crusaders midfielder duly floated it high over the keeper and under the bar for his hat-trick. Callum then went close from Joe’s set up, and with shots raining in from all quarters the early substitutions saw TomB, CWS and CT replaced by Alex, Peter and SamB. Just before the break Joe went on a jinking run to set up Callum for a crisp shot under keeper to make it 6-0, and both players had further efforts that went the wrong side of the post as Crusaders ended the half well on top.

Unchanged at half-time, Crusaders restarted with a good passing move between SamB and Huw for a SamH shot that was blocked, and the latter was again denied by another flying save. Crusaders then forced a corner, and some penalty-box ping-pong eventually led to a low diagonal shot by Alex that was stabbed home at back post by Joe for his hat-trick. At 7-0 Joe was immediately replaced by TomB, whose first touch put the ball in behind the defence but Peter’s shot drifted wide. Soon after, Teddy’s composed defending and link play down the left found TomB in space, and his inside ball allowed Callum a shot that was well saved.

With CT coming on for Paul in defence, Crusaders continued to dominate possession, and some good control and a well-judged pass from Peter released SamH, who made no mistake with a rising drive from 12 yards to net Crusaders’ eighth goal. Peter in turn had several good chances, but when one was converted it was ruled offside, the first of several infringements that temporarily halted the Crusaders goal rush. Indeed, Hemingford briefly enjoyed parity of possession in a scrappy interlude that saw CT defending strongly and Teddy cleaning up some loose balls, whilst Harry pulled off a fine save that was a credit to his concentration.

A late change saw SamB off and Joe on, the latter embarking on a twisting run into the box before rolling the ball to Alex, who finished well and celebrated extravagantly. Alex almost got a second when hitting into the side netting from close range after TomB’s shot was parried, and Joe ventured into the box for a rising shot that drew yet another flying save from the busy Hemingford keeper. With the home defence tiring, TomB was able to advance unchallenged into the area to hit another ‘underside of bar’ piledriver, and though Alex tucked away the rebound the ball had already crossed the line for TomB’s fourth, celebrated with a ‘boot polish’ from Huw. Not satisfied with the 10-0 scoreline, Crusaders also found the net in their final move when Joe peeled away into the box to head home adeptly from TomB’s pinpoint cross, but a stray Crusaders player a the effort was ruled offside.

This was a fine all-round performance by Crusaders, in which every player made a positive contribution. Hemingford were courteous hosts, with a supportive crowd and sporting players who battled to the end. Well done boys!

Squad: Peter Atkin, James Biswell, Tom Blair, Sam Bradshaw, Joe Dickens, Teddy Elbourn, Huw Gordon, Paul Hardy, Sam Hills, Harry Houghton, Callum Pinner, CT, Charlie Wetton-Smith, Alex Willis