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The final score was 6-2, but that doesn't reflect how hard fought the game was and belies Richmond's lowly status on the log. I'm sure anyone who watched the game would agree. A defensive/midfield mix up led to a very well taken opening goal which gave the home side the lead within the first 5 minutes of the game. They were clearly up for this match and were a vastly improved side to that which we dominated at KCS in October last year.
The water-based turf took a little getting used to, but once we'd found our range, the Wimbledon Men's 4s slipped quickly into a good rhythym and responded sharply to level the scores, through a Stevie vdB strike after pouncing on a Girth rebound. Russ B then pulled off a neat reverse stick pass, the resulting baseline run by B Rye ending in a short corner which was converted by Irish giving us a 2-1 lead into the half. Apart from a poor opening few minutes, we had put together some good spells of play and looked the more threatening of the two teams. Realising the tightness of the encounter, it was vital that we scored first after the break in an effort to squash the spirit of the opposition.
Some excellent work by Stevo and Jamie up the right at the start of the second half really swung the balance of the match in our favour. Girth capitalised on our possession and pressure and duly put us 2 goals clear with a powerful reverse stick shot that crashed into the backboard. 3-1 quickly became 4-1 when the evergreen Mr Charlesworth found himself in the right place at the right time to calmly put home the fourth. By this stage, we were in complete control with the fullbacks, Irish and Laz, allowed the time and space to gradually advance the ball upfield waiting patiently for a hole in the defence. Much to Burtie's anguish and frustration, this space was mostly found down the right-hand side of the field with B Rye and Charlie making some excellent leads and penetrating runs into the circle.
This pressure lead to a few short corners, one of which was converted by a sliding B Rye at the right hand post. As the saying goes, one brings two, and sure enough, 5-1 became 6-1 shortly afterwards. Charlie's second of the day, quite literally roof and climbing, was a quality finish to one of the best moves of the match - a patient build up, space down the right, cross and first time strike from our newest father who had ghosted in between the 2 central defenders and left the keeper no price.
Unfortunately, our last few minutes mirrored our opening salvo and we sloppily gave away a brace of short corners. The first of which produced the save of season from Streethawk on the right post. With JP well beaten by a blistering strike, the Richmond striker was busy celebrating only to be rooted to the spot after Daryl brilliantly deflected away to the sideline for safety. However, we gave away one last shorty at the final whistle which Richmond eventually managed to convert after a good initial save by JP. 6-2 final score - with some jokers claiming that the net scoreline of 4-0 gave Laz DOD.
That wasn't the deal and DOD was sewn up before the match even started when Stevo arrived wearing the brightest yellow football boots ever made after leaving his hockey boots at his girlfriend's house. To put the final nail in his own coffin, he fell foul of the red mist, threw his toys out of the cot, pushed the opposition striker in a heated exchange and earned himself a green card. In fairness, it should have been a yellow card for both players. It would have matched his boots. That aside, he actually had a storming game including our opening goal, but at the end of the day, someone has to go down.
MOM was a tougher decision. There was no vote for it after the game so while this isn't official, I think two players deserve special mention. Charlie Charlesworth's two goals were just reward for his hard work off the ball, constantly finding himself in the right place at the right time with some brilliant leads. Another Charlie, Revill this time, had the job of keeping their main playmaker quiet. His unsung work on, and particularly off, the ball provided us with the time and space to launch attacks from, as well as a solid structure to defend with. Vastly different roles, but both performances out of the top drawer and worthy of sharing MOM spoils.
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