London Royals M2 0 - 5 THD M5
Saturday 10 Feb 2024
Redbridge Sports Centre
Match Report
We returned to league action following a disappointing 2-1 defeat the week before vs top of the league Kings & Alleyns M2 with a very long trip to Redbridge to face London Royals M2. It feels added punishment that a last minute defeat is followed by the further away trip known to man in what always feels like Norfolk but in reality isn't even the edge of the M25.
The day started off as usual with most of our team late for the meet due to the closure of certain tunnels adding another half an hour to the journey time (as if an hour wasn’t long enough already). The customary text to the oppo goes in alerting them to the difficult traffic situation which results in a 15 min delay to push back - thank you Royals!
Eventually once we got there, we got warmed up and ready to go and after having had some calm words of encouragement by the skipper (as well as several swear words) we came flying out of the traps and got an early grip on the game. In fact we started so well we were 3-0 up within 25 mins. Firstly a short corner saw Narns Morse put us ahead. This was added to by Ben Irving after the Royals keeper tried wiping out the skipper which left the ball loose and an open net for Ben to tap in for 2-0. Charlie Savage made it 3 with a delicious first time shot which proved too powerful for the keeper to keep out. We go in at HT 3-0 to the good.
At halftime we spoke about the need to keep up the momentum. This is the classic type of game where others would have taken their foot off the gas and somehow thrown away a result. Not for us and we started the second half as well as we did the first and went 4-0 up within 10 mins of the restart with Charlie Savage grabbing his second of the match after neat build up play from the right hand side. Our fifth and final goal of the day came from Narns Morse who’s shot at the near post found its way in.
The skipper then had a couple of late chances saved by the royals keeper but overall it was a clinical performance from the boys. 5 goals, a clean sheet and an award which money can’t buy (unless you bribe the exec enough) in the form of Team of the Week. Too right and about bloody time too! All season we have been going about our business nicely, not making a fuss and have put in some great performances whilst sitting in the promotion places for most of the season.
MoM went to Narns Morse for his excellent attacking display. Richly deserved as he was class all game and the Royals defence couldn’t keep up with him.
As for DoD, well there was only one candidate after yet another one of his outbursts during the match (a recurring theme)…..James Anderton took the vote by 12 votes which is an incredible achievement considering we only had 14 players.
Goals: Morse (2), Irving, Savage (2)
Assists: Irving (2), Harris (2), Searle
#UpThe5s