In cold breezy conditions on a bobbly pitch, Crusaders overcame a slow start and some periods of scrappy play to record another big win and continue their 100% record in 2007.

Playing into a stiff breeze in the first half, Crusaders started with an adventurous 3-4-3 formation and began well when Callum and Peter combined for Charlie to shoot wide. Things looked even better when some good work in midfield picked out Joe, who cut inside and slotted the ball across for Callum to open the scoring. Another goal looked certain when Joe flicked the ball into the area, with both Callum and Peter trying to bundle it over the line, but the ball somehow stayed out and Alex’s return shot flew just over the bar. Alex then released Joe for a goalbound shot that was turned round the post, but it led to the second goal for Crusaders when Callum’s low corner crept under the near-post defender’s boot to leave SamH a simple tap-in.

At 2-0 Red Lodge were still in contention, and by constantly pressing the man in possession they started to crowd out Crusaders in midfield. Indeed, the hosts managed to break through Crusaders’ three-man defence on several occasions, and both CT and Jamie had to make saving tackles. With Charlie, Joe and Callum all battling to get the ball forward the latter picked up a knock and was replaced by Huw, who wasted no time in making a couple of runs down the left wing. Red Lodge continued to compete energetically, and twice got behind the last Crusaders defender only for Harry to claim confidently, aided by the protection of Jamie and SamH. The hosts eventually claimed a goal that owed much to some uncharacteristically panicky Crusaders defending. An inability to clear the loose ball was compounded when an innocuous cross somehow bounced goalwards off Harry as he dived, ending up a few yards from the unguarded goal to be duly smashed home by an excited attacker. Red Lodge then forced a free-kick which Harry dived full-length to deflect away, and despite a couple of foraging runs from Joe and Tom the half closed with Crusaders on the defensive.

Crusaders lined up for the second half with a more conventional 4-4-2 formation and the assistance of the breeze behind them. The early signs were mixed as Crusaders’ pressure was matched by Red Lodge runs that drew good challenges from Paul and Teddy. However, it was Crusaders who struck when Teddy won possession for Crusaders, and Tom made full use of it with a fine cross that found SamH running in at the far post to finish the move and make it 3-1. The two goal cushion seemed to settle Crusaders, and when the ball found its way to Joe in the centre circle, he drifted past two defenders before sliding a pass wide into Tom's path as he ran in to hit an unstoppable drive inside the far post. Red Lodge still had the energy to cause problems, however, and managed a free-kick and a snap shot that had the Crusaders defence scrambling. In midfield Crusaders debutant Milton linked up well with SamH to release Joe, who outpaced the covering defence before falling victim to a bobble when hitting his shot, the ball flying past the right-hand post.

Crusaders needed another goal, and when it came it was a real beauty. First Tom intercepted a goal kick out wide on the left, only advancing a couple of paces before hitting a wicked lob-shot high across goal that dipped prodigiously to scrape the underside of the bar on its way into the far corner. A sixth goal looked on when SamH found Joe in the box with enough space for a snap shot, but the keeper was equal to it. A similar fate befell the next attack, as Tom’s cross enabled Alex to hit a shot that was well saved before SamH blazed over.

Red Lodge were finally showing signs of tiring, however, and with Peter and Callum replacing Joe and Charlie the gaps started to appear. First Tom’s hanging cross was headed down and in by Callum to make it 6-1, the referee giving Crusaders the benefit of the doubt after an offside flag. Then Crusaders got forward in numbers, the ball eventually falling to Callum, who registered his hat-trick with a goalbound shot that deflected off a Red Lodge head on its way into the net. More ping-pong football in a crowded area saw SamH have two shots blocked and Tom’s effort also denied before Callum fired into the roof of the net. With the clock running down SamH was determined to claim his first hat-trick, and from a deep position he launched another trademark surge to beat two defenders before keeping his composure and shooting beyond the keeper, sparking wild celebrations and making the final score 9-1.

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