Magpies get their rewards over Division Two Champions

A much improved performance from a weakend Claydon side saw the Magpies secure their first 3 points of the season.

Player-Manager Lee Hodges had a number of players unavailable for the fixture but kept faith in calling up a number of Reserve Team players as well as some old faces. Chris Delves re-signed for the club and made a rare appearance in goal, his voice and experience like an extra defender behind the back four. Adamn Cowley, Lee Hodges, Kenny Massey and a called-up Dave Terry made up the back line with Sam Fedoriw, Ronnie Harrington, Stuart Lewis and George Carpenter made up the midfield while Chris Brunning played an Eddie Newton role in the middle of the park. Jacob Hodgins started on his own up-top after his efforts midweek for the Reserve team.

Claydon started confidently and nothing like a side low on morale having lost 3 matches from their opening 3 games. George Carpenter and Sam Fedoriw terrorised the Olney full backs reducing Olney's main chances to long-range shots either saved by Delves or watched wide by Delves. Dave Terry was finding some joy against his midfield opposition winning the ball and making some positive runs into the Olney half while Adam Cowley was as strong as ever. Cowley started a quick break on the right side playing the ball into Brunning who played a pass into Carpenter. Carpenter had a shot which was saved by Ronnie Harrington followed up at the far post. Chris Brunning then played a nice through-ball to Carpenter who added his second goal of the season for the first team.

Kenny Massey and Lee Hodges bossed the defensive line and other than a disallowed goal for offside and a free-kick on the edge of the area, Claydon were able to keep Olney's attacks to a minimum.

As the second half began, Claydon started to play the ball out wide more with Sam Fedoriw eager to take on his man. He was rewarded not long after the second half began, drilling a low/hard cross/shot into the area the the goalkeeper parried into his own net. Ryan Walker and Robert Harrington were brought on for Adam Cowley and Jacob Hodgins but Olney managed to find some space from a quick break and their experienced Scottish striker gave Chris Delves no chance to make the scores 3-1. Sam Fedoriw added a second, following up at the far post before Dave Terry was replaced by John Patterson after aggrivating a hamstring injury from Thursday night.

Fedoriw was involved in Claydon's final goal as he crossed in to Robert Harrington and Ryan Walker with the ball bouncing off Walker's shoulder onto a defender and into the back of the net. Chris Brunning protected the back line well as the side worked as a unit to the final whistle.

A unrecognisable Claydon performance from those games played earlier in the season and one that will hopefully give manager Hodges a few headaches. Players upping their game to play for their club and their team mates are now knocking on the door to earn a First Team call up next week.

The season begins now for the First Team and will be hoping for a similar performance next Saturday.