Fine Form Continues

It was a case of repetition this morning as we returned to Stoke Rec to play Guildford Athletic for the second weekend running. As with a week ago there was a minutes silence before the game commenced, this time for those affected by the terrible atrocities in Paris on Friday evening.

The pitch was again not accommodating in regards to flowing football with the grass longer thanks to a weeks growth and the surface boggy thanks to the Saturday rain.

Guildford Athletic looked to do things quickly right from the start as they tried to impose themselves on the game. In the end their positive intent was ultimately to prove their downfall as we exploited the space in behind their defence with some clinical counter attacks.

After an even first 15 minutes we took the lead. Oli Cochrane picked the ball up in midfield and passed through to Alex Zammit who beat the offside trap with a perfectly timed run. Zam got to the edge of the box and waited for support. With Joey Stevens overlapping on his left hand side, Zam backheeled into his path and Joey dispatched a great finish into the top corner via a kiss off the underside of the bar.

Our hosts did go close to an equaliser when Charlie Elliott's headed clearance fell to an onrushing midfielder on the edge of the box, but he volleyed wide of the target.

We nearly went 2-0 up when Simon Grout's lung busting run from midfield saw him get in on goal, but he clipped wide of the keeper who had done well to close the angles.

5 minutes before the interval we got the all important second goal. On the coutner attack we worked the ball to Joey down the right and he clipped across the area to Luca Mortellaro at the back post. Luca beat his man before finding the far corner with a clinical low finish.

Joey had a good chance to make it 3 ten minutes into the second half, but saw his goalbound strike well blocked after great work on the byline by Oli. Our skipper also had a great chance, but failed to latch onto a spillage by the keeper from Luca's free kick.

It was 0-3 with just under 20 minutes remaining and the goal was one their keeper will want to forget as he allowed Joey's effort from the edge of the box to slip straight through his hands, killing the game in the process.

Athletic kept pushing forward and did create a couple of presentable chances, the best of which seeing their striker work Damo with a slightly tame finish. Tom Frost also worked their keeper with a well struck free kick that bounced awkwardly in front of him.

It finished 0-3 and we were worthy winners. Two wins from our first two Invitation Cup group stage matches have put us in a great position to seal our place in the knockout stages, but we must stay focussed to get the job done in the coming games.

Our finishing was clinical today and it was another quality defensive display for back to back clean sheets.

We have reacted really well to the setback against Bisley, coming through a tricky 3 games where the squad was stretched with a number of injuries. Picking up 3 straight wins has been a great response. Our injured players are beginning to return to action now, with Charlie back in the fold, Zam and Frosty back ahead of schedule, Adam continuing to get minutes under his belt and Tobes hopefully returning to full fitness in the next couple of weeks.

Next week we start our County Cup campaign against Leatherhead & District Division 2 side Art Brut. We know little of them, but I expect it will be a tough game.

MoM: Joey - two goals and an assist, plus a constant threat on the wing. Luca also gave a very dynamic performance, Grouty good as always and another sound display by all at the back.

Thanks to Tob for coming to support and to Frosty, Zam & Luca for running the line.