COWHC Men's 4s vs Addiscombe Herons - 28th January 2017

4 wins on the bounce before christmas saw the M4s just off the summit! 2 cancelled games left us watching the results come in, hoping for our rivals to flounder! And so they did, leaving the door open for us if we wanted to walk through it. That was the big question, could we take advantage? Could we make it 5 in a row?

Never in doubt! WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE, SAY WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE!!!

A seriously strong 15 plus Scotty were ready for the battle... well a delayed battle as previous games had ran late leaving us waiting on the sidelines. Nope wait, outside the cage courtesy of 1s umpires! Boo!

The squad:

Ciaran, Max, Ken, Mike and Jonny G dominated the back, earning their 3rd consectutive clean sheet.

JP, HamJam and Scotty controlled the middle.

Nelly, Ben, Killer and Jude ran the wings.

Adam and Joe prowled the oppo D with constant threat.

Jon and Karl played well but couldn't tell you where!?!

Deja vu was setting in, same venue, same umpire (cheers Lydia) same team... well not quite. This time it was the Herons we knew. With thunder and lightening setting in, into battle we went.

They didn't stand a chance!

As a team we were passionate, tenacious and relentless. We worked as a unit and controlled the game. Every 16 for them was a well oiled drill for us, this may be stolen from a previous report but it's true!

All we needed was a goal and in 4s fashion... it's not a foregone conclusion that we'll win a match that we are owning (definitely copy and pasted but again it's true). A lucky break put us ahead, a powerful short corner came off the pad and fell to Joe for a straight forward tap. 1 nil to us.

Here is where things went a little bonkers. Players out of position meant our shape became a blob. However, the oppo didn't take advantage and halftime arrived with the game ours to lose.

Team talk was simple... keep going and let's get kill them and their families, leave no chances. (Copy and pasted again but it is our mantra to be fair... leave no survivors).

The 4s restarted with improved fluency and a sense of resolve that Addiscombe just couldn't cope with.

2 nil came, courtesy of a cracking solo effort from Joe 'Cry Baby' Hyatt :) With tears still in his eyes, god forbid he be asked to be miss a game like a true team player, he set off up the left hand side and preceded to mug half the oppo. Into the D he stormed, confidently sliding the ball pass the keeper. 2 nil to M4s.

The 4s knew the game wasn't safe even though Ciaran had barely seen the ball however as a team we knew he'd be willing to give them a goal if the opportunity arose. (Another copy and paste job).

With 10 to go came arguably our best goal of the season so far whilst simultaneously epitomising the 4s...

A foul saw us with a hit just inside the 22 and Scotty, who was on a promise of double pocket money if he played well, earned his extra dough. Spotting the oppo had lost interest, he slid the ball 5 to Max who then drilled it at the far post where Karl yes waiting... one handed... to clip it in for 3 nil, 3 points and 3 clean sheets in a row.

Full time: 3 nil to the dominant, rampant 4s. A well deserved win, one of the best I've had the pleasure of being a part of. Every 4 should be proud. (Maybe copied and pasted, maybe).

5 wins on the bounce and another performance for the scrapbook! A draw for Chertsey dropped them down to 3rd with M4s top via a healthy goal difference and 2 games in hand on 2nd ;) Smashing!!!

DOD= Ciaran because, well just because and Ben for being called a Nob by their umpire. Give that guy a medal.

POM= Me!!!!! I, Mike, was awarded this honour!

Next week, 6 in a row? Bring it on!