Little Downham 191106

Crusaders maintained winning ways with an accomplished display against Little Downham Eagles, running out 6-1 winners and creating enough chances to have doubled their tally.

In Crusaders’ first attack the visiting keeper picked up a knock, and he may still have been feeling it when TomB’s corner cleared everyone in the middle and was met by SamB at the back post to put Crusaders ahead. Almost immediately, some neat midfield play from James and SamB found Joe, who released Callum for a fine cross to TomB that was finished clinically to double the lead. With Little Downham unable to get off the back foot, and Crusaders seemingly in a hurry to score again, some persistent battling in a crowded penalty area earned Crusaders a third goal when Joe flicked the loose ball over the keeper and onto the bar before heading home the rebound.

The visitors eventually steadied the ship and started to play the ball wide, and it was Crusaders who had to defend when Huw and Paul combined to thwart an attack down the left. The corner was headed away, and Crusaders picked up loose ball with some swift passing between Callum and Alex to set up Joe for a shot that flew wide. The next Crusaders move saw a TomB cross netted by Alex, but the effort was ruled offside, so TomB took it upon himself to rectify matters and promptly put Crusaders 4-0 up with a solo run and cross shot that gave the keeper no chance. Not to be daunted, Downham forced their way upfield, but Harry came out quickly to claim a dangerous through ball and Jamie nipped in to dispossess a Downham forward. A double change saw Charlie replace Alex and Peter on for Jamie, but Crusaders still had work to do at the back, and on several occasions SamH and Paul had to show their pace to get back and avert danger. Despite their possession Downham had few attempts on goal, and Crusaders ended the half carrying the greater threat as Joe twice set up Callum for shots that were just over or tipped round the post.

At half-time TomV replaced Harry in goal, but he was a spectator as Crusaders quickly resumed business at the Downham end, Charlie and Peter combining to send in a ball that Joe prodded just wide. The striker made amends shortly afterwards when SamH threaded a ball to Callum, who cut it back from the byeline for Joe to muscle it in after a heavy first touch. Defensive lapses have been few and far between in recent games, but when Crusaders momentarily went to sleep Little Downham took advantage to net their goal and make it 5-1. Indeed, as Jamie came back on for Callum, with Huw moving to right wing, Little Downham’s spirits lifted sufficiently to cause Crusaders more problems at the back; first the hosts were lucky when a goalbound Downham shot hit their own player, and then Paul was on hand to tidy up another threatening move.

For Crusaders, TomB and Joe both went close after support work by SamH and TomB respectively, and Joe is still looking for the offending bobble after bursting onto a through ball and rounding the keeper, only to hit the inside of the post with the goal at his mercy. Crusaders continued to have the better chances as Huw gave way to Alex, with both Charlie and SamH firing wide before the latter rattled the bar with a rasping effort. Callum replaced Joe up front, but more good defending by Paul and a fine save from TomV were required to prevent Downham adding to their score. Sensing his imminent replacement by Huw, TomB took advantage of a retreating defence to convert Alex’s pass with a chip over the keeper to claim his hat-trick, and Charlie was unlucky not to add a seventh when his rising drive crashed against the bar. Creditably, Little Downham had enough energy to test Crusaders again with some determined midfield play, and some late forays into the box saw Jamie tracking back well and TomV making another good stop in goal.

This was another convincing win for Crusaders, with the team continuing to improve in all positions and particularly as a unit.

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