Malin smash United4 Five

After a run of tough games, mid table Division 3B opposition rolled into town in their minibus to take on the table toppers.

With JAMES and MITCH back from weekends of debauchery, the team had a more familiar look to it after the call ups of SAV and DEANO the week before.

There was a hope that the game would be more straight forward than the sterner tests provided by Broomhill but a less then convincing first half performance meant that it was much harder work than it should have been. Slack passing and general laziness all over the park meant that we never really got into our stride and it took a wake up call or two from U4C on the counter before Malin finally took the lead.

In one of the first attempts at actually passing the ball to feet, we managed to spread it out wide to the bearded creator on the right. This time, he wasn't in the mood for setting up someone else and chose to go it alone. With a drop of the shoulder and a cut inside, GAV struck it sweetly into the far corner with his under utilised left foot. It was a good goal which should really have opened the flood gates.

Frustratingly, it didn't. We continued in laboured fashion until the break when FERGIE had to earn his money and have a few words.

The second half was a totally different story. The United boys were under the cosh from quite early on and the second soon arrived but this time the creator was an unlikely source. After managing to miss the ball completely a week before, DAN's kicking had been much more composed and it was from one of his big boots the the fluorescent stopper racked up his first assist of the season. With the wind now behind us, the opposition defence didn't read the kick but unfortunately for them, BROWNY did as he raced through and confidently finished to open the floodgates slightly.

Soon after came the 3rd. It was a goal I can't really remember but the goal scorer was Mr BROWN again. Due to my poor memory, I had to reach out to the scorer for a reminder and he assures me he took on 2 defenders and the keeper before slotting home. I think he also claimed an assist for himself for this goal but I've checked the rule book and that isn't happening.

With the game now put to bed, U4C went down to 10 men. Not through a sending off but as the little girl up front who had moaned of injury since minute 1 finally gave up and decided to just walk off. With the score at 3 and them down to 10 it was simply a case of going through the motions.

The other half of ASHBROWN bagged the 4th with a simple volley from 5 yards. It had been a frustrating game for MATTY but as ever, he was alive in the box as NATH nodded down a corner to keep himself ahead in the scoring charts.

With the game coming to a close, FERGIE brought on LEE and himself for a cameo appearance. Both were involved in the action with the gaffer rolling back the years to race through and produce a delightful attempted chip over the keeper. The only problem was, the keeper stayed big and plucked it out of the sky to keep him one behind ME!!! Ha ha ha.

LEE also nearly got his name on the scoresheet but instead, he had to settle for an assist. As the ball broke in the box, he wriggled and weaved to make space only to see his shot saved. Thankfully, BROWNY (who should've been on the left wing but wasn't doing his job) found himself in the box and tucked away the rebound for his hat trick. A hat trick that also sealed him the Man of the Match award and an outright lead at the top of the Player standings.

We're in for an interesting few weeks.