An evening kickoff saw us play Russellers at Eltham Town Football Club. The opposition had just finished the season in 2nd place in the 'B' Division, so we all knew it was going to be a tough game, plus the friendly gave me the opportunity to have a look at some new faces that have been to training. So with all 3 of them only receiveing their Willett shirts before the game, they were put straight into the starting line up. Pressure what pressure!!
The game itself started with us on the backfoot as Russellers pushed us backwards in search of the opening goal. Although there were a few mad scrambles in our box we managed to clear our lines and the defending was superb meaning George Barnes wasnt really tested in his goal. However he did have to be on hand to save us as half way through the first half Russellers won a penalty after the striker just knocked the ball past as our defenders slide tackle meaning he took him down. Up stepped the striker and although it was hit towards the bottom corner George Barnes was at full stretch and made a fantastic stop.
After this key moment it seemed to give us a bit more courage to play some football and we took the lead with 10 minutes of the half left as Dan Norris closed down the ball from the opposition Left Back and played it forward to George C. He went past the first defender and with everybody thinking he was going to shoot, he cut the ball back to Ryan taking the last defender out of the game with a clever pass. Ryan who had acres of space to steady himself sent a low shot past the goalkeeper into the bottom corner.
With the lead the confidence in the boys showed as we now were on the front foot and for the rest of the half looked the more likely to score as George C had a chance as did Tom Larkin but 1 - 0 at half time it was to remain.
Into the second half and knowing the oppositions biggest threat had now moved to Centre Forward we knew we would have to put in a big performance if we wanted the result. But with this in mind it was Willett who doubled their lead with the first attack of the half, George C again held the ball up before playing Ryan in. He controlled the ball well and fired a shot into the corner of the net, that gave the goalkeeper no chance.
The game went into a bit of a stalemate after this as both sides defended solidly so both goalkeepers were left as bystanders although George was on hand everytime the ball was played over the top for their striker to run onto.
With 10 minutes left Russellers changed to 3 upfront and this bought a result almost straight away as a corner that was sent in was handled in the box and so they got their second penalty of the match this time altough George B guessed the right way he could do nothing as it was fired at pace into the bottom corner. Thinking with the match now swinging back to Russellers as they now had their tails up, Willett did the unthinkable thing and went up the other end and scored. This time after winning the ball in midfield and with most the opposition pushing forward in search of the equaliser Patrick Bennett drove forward with the ball and as the centre half went to tackle him, he sent the ball forward to the unmarked George C and with some good composure put the ball past the on rushing goalkeeper and into the bottom corner.
Before the end of the game a few more half chances were created by Russellers but some resolute defending meant again George wasnt really tested in his goal.
A really good performance this evening from all the current boys, with the 3 who are training with us at the moment also having good games.
What is really important is that we don't get carried away with this result and keep level headed.