Islip 1 v 4 Kingfisher Athletic (23 September 2006)

After our two previous flat performances, this was much more like it boys. Contrary to speculation on our message board that last week’s draw against Ranelagh virtually condemned us to relegation, today’s ritualesque slaughtering of Islip saw us, in the first half especially, play our best football of the season so far and at times elicit gasps of appreciation from our travelling support (Yogi, Johnny Cush and Davie Norman). Even stand-in boss Stitch begrudged us the odd kind word. Still couldn’t convince impossible to please able assistant Stevie Melv though, but you just can’t have everything eh. With Picey and Andy Brown missing, elegantly dressed Stitch was able to welcome back Scriv and Jacko to the fold, although both had to settle for a place on the bench alongside Chad. So the boys lined up with the ever improving Rooney in goal, Scotty Mac, Bash and birthday boy Eddie at the back, Steve, Ogsie and Scotty D in the centre with Danny and Cam patrolling the flanks, and Gibby and Docs in attack. Once we found our feet, the first half was all Fisher, and we soaked up anything Islip could muster to throw halfheartedly at us, launching wave after wave of counter attack. Up front, we are lightning this season. Gibby seems to be getting faster the older he gets, and Docsy babe is in the form of his career, relishing his opportunity to play in attack. 20 minutes in, Islip gifted us the ball in the middle, and a neat one two between Cam and Scott Davanna released Scotty down the right. Scott got round the back and cut the ball across goal into the path of the onrushing Gibster who planted a cool finish into the roof of the net from eight yards out despite the close attentions of his marker. Number two came not long after, and again Islip tried to outpass themselves in the middle. The one man they didn’t want to give the ball to was Kieran Doherty, but sadly for them that’s exactly what they done, and Docs raced from just inside his own half, shrugging off 3 defenders with a series of outrageous turns before bearing down on goal and striking the ball into the bottom corner with his left foot. It was one for the scrap book, and the BBC will be angry they didn’t have any cameras at the game to capture that one. By the time we notched up number three just before half time, we could’ve had a few more. Scotty D fired into the side netting from close range, and Danny went agonizingly close with a header after an exquisite cross from Cam on the right. It finally came after Danny released me down the left, and I was able to cut inside and clip a ball over the defender to Docs on the edge of the box, who controlled it with his chest, and span round to volley into the bottom corner with the keeper literally in no man’s land. The manager and coaches will be particularly happy with that one, after all the time they make us practice chesting the ball at training. It was no less than we deserved for a first half which also saw Ogsie scrapping for everything in midfield, Scotty Mac and Eddie defending admirably, Bash sweeping majestically and young Alan winning every ball that came within 10 yards of the goal.

We would’ve been forgiven for thinking the game was all over at half time, but after painful lessons against Danesholme last season and last week’s injury time equalizer still fresh in Stitch’s memory, the last thing the boss was gonna do was allow a sense of complacency to creep in. Saying that, he did go ahead and make two changes, replacing Danny with Chad down the left, and giving Bash a well earned rest to bring Scriv into his familiar sweeping role. To be fair to Islip, they had a right old go at us, and their manager must be wondering why they didn’t play like that from the start. Islip moved to 3 up front, meaning we couldn’t break forward as much in this half, but again when we did manage to attack, we looked dangerous, with Chad getting a lot of joy down the left. With half an hour to go, Jack replaced Gibby up front and it must’ve been good to finally put his injury woes behind him. Our clincher came on another counter attack, and yet again the Scamp was the architect, bamboozling the defence before unselfishly rolling the ball through to me to tuck the ball past the keeper and off the post into the back of the onion bag. There really was no way back for Islip after that, though they did notch up a consolation in the dying minutes thanks to a defensive mix up, but even then we could’ve grabbed a couple more, Jack hammering into the side netting and Docs sending the ball into orbit from six yards after taking it past every defender twice. But the table makes pleasant reading with us in our rightful place on top and on Cup duty next week. A win will set us up nicely for the Scotland v France game the week after and Stitch was happy to get his first win as manager under his belt. I can’t remember what he said in his exclusive post-match interview with fisherathletic.sitesled.com/ but never mind, I’ll pay closer attention next week. Then it was back to the Fisher for a few bevvies then off to Stamford for Eddie’s birthday celebrations. Aciiiiieeeeeed!!!

PLAYER RATINGS:

Rooney…………….8

No chance with the goal, dealt with everything else

Scotty Mac…………9

Outstanding, and a thoroughly nice bloke too. Shared his MOTM beers with Ogsie

Bash……………….7

Dominant first half

Eddie………………8

Actually concentrated for the full 90 minutes

Cam……………….8

Easily his best display of the season

Steve……………….8

In the Sludden v Sludden competition of goals this season, it’s one nil to me

Scotty D……………8

Usual skillful, tireless display

Ogsie………………9

Has added a hardworking, combative side to his game I very much approve of, because it means I don’t have to run as much 

Danny Mac…………….7

Put in some good balls and was unlucky not to score. Only Scott was glad he missed

Gibby………………..8

Goal number 8 of the season for the skipper. Just imagine what he’ll do when he’s firing on all cylinders, or when Docs learns how to pass

Docs…………………9

Sublime performance from the early frontrunner for Player of the Year

SUBS:

Scriv………………..7

Glad to be back

Chad…………………7

Took his opportunity to show what he can do

Jack …………………6

Showed glimpses of his old self before his injury, just needs a run in the team now