It was a happy new year for Crusaders as they got 2007 off to a flier with an 11-0 win over Ramsey Colts B, and the emphatic scoreline could have been even bigger if Crusaders had played more of their passing game.

Crusaders started in typically bright fashion, and Joe was soon testing the keeper after exchanging passes with Charlie. Callum then ran in from the wing and shot from a narrow angle but the keeper saved again. The goals began to flow when Callum intercepted a weak goal-kick and ran in to score unchallenged, and SamH then went close with a surge into the box that forced a corner. Though Ramsey cleared the initial cross, Crusaders retained possession and Paul’s ball forward to Charlie was unselfishly laid back to Alex, who drove a low shot past the keeper to make it 2-0.

From the restart Ramsey won a free-kick, but CT blocked the effort, punted a long ball forward and Joe chased it before trying a lob that the keeper tipped up and caught.  The same two players combined again when CT strode out of defence before releasing Joe for a long shot that crashed into the angle of post and bar. Crusaders kept up the pressure, and when Callum was fouled in the area he scored neatly from the spot to make it 3-0. Ramsey did manage to get forward for a free-kick that flew wide, but Crusaders continued to dominate with Charlie releasing Alex to force a save from the keeper, and Callum shooting into the side netting from a very tight angle. Crusaders then went 4-0 up when Joe swept the ball out wide to Callum, who progressed down the wing before crossing back in for Joe to steer the ball home.

Ramsey continued to compete for every ball, and they tested Crusaders when Harry had to come out to claim and SamH was forced back for a saving tackle. Just before half-time, however, Crusaders completed a nap hand when Joe collected Callum’s short corner and laid it out wide to Huw, who surprised everyone with a fierce low first-time shot from the touchline that fizzed through a crowded area and into the far corner of the net. Did he mean it? Yes he did!

The break saw Crusaders reshuffle the defence and midfield, but it did not stop them soon adding to their tally. After CT and James had mopped up a Ramsey attack, Alex fed a fine pass through to Joe, who in turn played in Charlie to round the keeper and make it 6-0. More pressure from Crusaders included near misses from Joe and Charlie, but there was no mistake for goal number seven when Joe went on a strong run, keeping the defenders at bay before setting up Callum for a high shot into the roof of the net. At the other end Harry was determined to keep a clean sheet and made a couple of good saves, but as players tired Crusaders began to pepper the Ramsey goal. Charlie, Callum and Alex all had shots saved as Crusaders increasingly crowded the Ramsey area, but it was a run from deep by SamH that notched the next goal, finished with a low drive that gave the keeper no chance.

By now Crusaders were trying their luck from any angle, and a powerful run from Huw saw his low cross fumbled by the keeper, allowing Callum to tap in at the back post. With the Crusaders defence dealing competently with Ramsey’s occasional breakaways, it was soon 10-0 to Crusaders as Joe found a neat finish from Jamie’s defence-splitting pass. The double figure scoreline did not flatter Crusaders, and despite some over-enthusiastic goal-hanging and several offside flags that had the linesman’s arm aching, Crusaders made the final tally 11-0 when James finished gleefully from Joe’s set-up after a great passing move.

A good all-round performance and a great start to the year, putting the team back on track going into the next couple of games against promotion challengers Aztecs and St Ives.

Squad: Jamie Baker, James Biswell, Joe Dickens, Huw Gordon, Paul Hardy, Sam Hills, Harry Houghton, Callum Pinner, CT, Charlie Wetton-Smith, Alex Willis