Needing to win to be absolutely sure of a place in the play-offs, we cruised to victory against Acton in our final summer league game. We played well against a team that worked hard but created few opportunities.
From the kick-off we applied a lot of pressure and used all the space on the field - even Peter Bradley was seen making a diagonal run to collect a pass in the corner. Our first good chance came when Joe pushed a first-time shot wide of the right post after receiving Ivan's square ball from the left.
Goalkeeper error led to our first goal: the 'keeper picked up the ball in his area, rolled it out in front of himself, then picked it up again, an action not commonly seen since about 1992. Andy touched the indirect free kick to Peter, whose firm low drive sat neatly in the bottom left corner of the goal. Shortly afterwards Steve Shea's shot from the centre was blocked, but the ball was collected by Eric on the right edge of the box. He carried the ball square and hit a quick left foot shot into bottom right corner - the goalkeeper didn't even see it. With only 25 minutes played the game was wrapped up when Andy ran down the left wing and, with a couple of people screaming for a cross, beat the 'keeper at his near post.
Two speculative shots provided some fresh entertainment. With the 'keeper off his line Ivan cut out an attempted clearance but hit the awkwardly bouncing ball high and well wide. Peter's attempt a few minutes later was better: he lobbed his shot over the 'keeper only to see it bounce high and onto the top of the crossbar.
Mike created the chance for our fourth goal with a well-timed run as Steve Shea released a great ball between two defenders. Mike collected the pass, side-stepped the 'keeper and a defender and rolled the ball into the empty net.
In the second half Bardot came out of goal to take up his more familiar position (frequently offside) at the other end. Within a few minutes he was true to his promise of a goal as he cut inside a defender on the right and hit a shot that the 'keeper could only parry into the far corner. Gabriel created the sixth goal when he made a surging run down the left, rounded a defender and played a perfect low cross between defender and 'keeper. Ivan ran in from the right and hit the ball first time from six yards into the empty net - hard to miss. Andy scored a delightful goal to make it seven, first nutmegging an advancing defender, then hitting a high dipping shot from 25 yards over the 'keeper.
Peter scored the eighth. Perhaps we can run a short competition for the wittiest description of this goal, because I can't remember it at all. Finally, Christer was played in by another strong run and cross by Gabriel. He took the ball on the edge of area and had time and space to control it, advance a couple of steps and slot it past the keeper into the right side of the goal.
This was a thoroughly deserved victory against the weakest side in the league. The going can only get tougher in the playoffs.
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