It's been a difficult start to 2023 for Frys, and this was an opportunity to turn a corner and get 3 points on the board.

We had to ignore Stockwoods league position, they have had a recent flurry of new signings and were a little bit unknown to us, that along with the unforgiving wind that haunts our home ground, it had strong potential for a difficult game. We started relatively slow, the wind causing havoc with any ball played in the air. Green were knocking the ball about well, but for the possession they had, I wouldn't have said they had any clear cut opportunities. We slowly started to grow into the game and had a couple of half chances which came to nothing. Our first clear cut chance was from Jake Norrie, a corner drifted in and was cleared, the ball came back into the box and Jake had a free header from 6 yards, only to put it wide. On a slight side note, its great to have Jake back in and around the side. He got injured in our first game of the season and has recently got back involved and is a huge asset to us. That all important first goal would soon come, with 30 minutes on the clock, another corner whipped in by our dead ball specialist Fred found its way to Gards via a bit of bouncing around and failed clearances, gards got his head to the ball and it seemed to take an age before trickling over the line, but they all count! We were starting to show a little bit more and were playing on the front foot, we were against the wind, and had realised that if we kept the ball on the deck, it wouldn't come straight back. Dylan was getting himself into some great positions down the right, only for a couple of heavy touches to let him down.

Half time: Fry Club 1 - 0 Stockwood Green

We said at half time, to keep doing the basics right and we will win the game. We also had to be aware of a Greenos response, in our away game earlier in the season, they came out flying second half and put us under significant amounts of pressure, something we had to be ready for in this game, but also deal with it in the right ways. The next goal was important, if we could get it, we could go on and be a bit more confident and maybe get a few more. On 50 Minutes, our second came. Some nice intricate football down the left resulted in Oli beating his man and putting the ball into the box, the first shot was blocked, but skipper Sammy Hewitt was on hand to stick the rebound into the bottom corner. 2-0. Green looked down, but we knew from our battles over the years that a Stockwood Green side do not give up. We needed to be clinical and kill the game off. Oli broke down the left and found James Lau, who unselfishly played in Dylan for him to tap in at the back post into an empty net. 3-0. In previous games this season, we have perhaps been guilty of taking our foot off the gas. It looked like its been lesson learned for our boys. On 66 minutes, Sammy broke down the left, after a great ball down the line from Oli, Sammy beat his man for pace, got in behind to play in James Lau for him to tap in. 4-0, and it looked to be game over. Frys weren't stopping there though, and it was soon 5, again, Sammy got in behind to lay the ball back for Oli to cross it, or so we all thought! When Oli actually kicked it, he has shanked it and wrong footed the keeper and its gone over his head and into the net, a freak goal, but they all count!! He is still saying it was a shot, but the lads have unanimously voted it to be a mishit cross! 5-0 to Frys. We were heading into the final 10 minutes, and looking for another goal, the ball found its way into the box and was bouncing around, until Gards got our sixth, and his second of the afternoon with a half volley on his weaker left foot, smashing it into the roof of the net. I have to say, i was impressed with Greens workrate and desire, and even though the game had got away from them, they were still pushing to try and create opportunities. That said, we held on, and despite a couple of late half chances which Char made some good saves to deny our opponents from, we got the clean sheet we have been waiting since last year for!

Full Time: Fry Club 6 - 0 Stockwood Green

A Very good performance from the boys in red and black, its been a tough few weeks for us and i think its shown in recent performances where we haven't been as good as what we can be. A slight change to our line up with Dan Hynes dropping back into centre half, and Jake & Gards coming into the side having spent a few weeks with the reserves for much needed minutes following lengthy injuries, meant we had a couple of experienced heads in there to drag the younger lads through. A much needed victory, ahead of another tough one Tuesday night at home to Chilcompton.

MOTM - Jake Norrie. I don't think you could find a blade of grass on that pitch that Jake didn't cover. Was absolutely everywhere. Physical, brave and played some brilliant football at times, really driving forward from Midfield. A great addition to the squad in summer and we are now getting to finally see him perform. Congratulations Jake, a great performance!