With two wins behind us the lads seemed confident and keen for this game, another win would be the perfect start to our campaign.
We started bright, playing some really good stuff. Possession football, moving the ball well and being very patient. 10 mins in The Don took the lead. Great determination from captain Matthew Pill saw him ride 3 tackles in the centre of the pitch before releasing a great through ball to winger Jordan Wilkins. He managed to ride a tackle then released a shot that was saved by the keeper but Christian Wills following up slipped the ball into the net. Town 1-0 up.
We continued to play our stuff and created chances. Some great footwork by forward Mike van de Mortel led to him slipping the ball into Jordan out wide, his cross found VDM who’s header went wide. Town were getting some joy from wide positions and some of the touches from Jordan and Christian were brilliant. A great diagonal ball by midfielder Adam Finney found Jordan who’s pull back found Ryan Bradbury who struck the ball well but it hit the bar.
From that effort, the ball came back across into Ryan who was unmarked but couldn’t find the finish. Another chance went begging when Christian and Ryan played some good stuff between them, it went into VDM who’s one two got us in the box but the keeper came out and smothered. The half time whistle went with Town 1 up, but could have and should have been a bit more comfortable.
HALF TIME / 0-1
We spoke about taking chances and needing to concentrate on defending as one mistake could spoil our good work.
The second half started brightly with our wide men involved again. 5 mins in and Easington had that glorious chance to get the equaliser. A good run from their centre midfielder produced a ball out wide, the winger put in a great cross that the forward should have tapped in but Town were lucky and he put it over the bar.
The game turned messy for the next 20 mins and we stopped doing all the good things we had been doing. On 65 mins Town brought on Richard Evans who made a instant impact. Some good wing play from Christian found a cross that resulted in a corner. The corner was headed out to the edge of the box where Ryan Bradbury’s effort was well saved for another corner. From this Town doubled their lead. A whipped in corner from Jordan was headed in by Rich Evans with some good movement. Town 2-0 up and now had that cushion.
A long ball from full back Liam Humphries got Rich Evans into the corner of the pitch, he played a one two with Jordan that got Rich in the box, he just got there before the defender’s challenge and a penalty was awarded. Rich got up and put in to the bottom corner of the net. Town now 3-0 up and Rich on 2.
5 mins later Christian Wills played a lovely ball over the defenders head into Rich, 25 yards out and a bouncing ball, Rich took it first time and managed to lob the keeper. A great goal and his 25 min hat trick.
Overall a very pleasing result and performance. The lads are trusting what we are doing and each other and it shows on the pitch. Our forward players are looking sharp, midfielders are working hard and our defence and keeper are concentrating hard to be difficult to beat. Need to ride this wave and keep the momentum going. Great start from us, got to keep it all going. Thoroughly enjoyable!
Final Score: Easington Sports Res 0-4 Faringdon Town
Man of the Match: Richard Evans
