|
A
fortnight prior, Forest had won a “humdinger” of a match 5-4
against Leigh Rockets A and the boys had aspirations to
continue in their rich vein of form and to make it 4 wins
out of four in this return leg. Fielding the same side as
prior weeks, Eric “blow torch” Lazell gathered the boys and
urged them to be tighter and not to let in so many goals.
This was chiefly to assist him in that he had not learnt to
count pass 10 and any score above 5-4 would cause him great
difficulties. |
|
Chris Wong
won the toss but strangely conceded wind advantage to the
opposition. “ Well done Chris”. |
|
Sammy
Elliot remarked that Eric looked like Julian Dicks, to which
he responded that if all the boys looked like him, then
there would be 11 “dicks” out on the pitch, which was not
the case as the boys had played some of the most magical
football imaginable in past weeks. |
|
The umpire
prior to the match had examined the boys’ footwear and
bodies to ensure that there were no razor blades, flick
knives, knuckledusters and CS gas canisters hidden upon
them. Satisfied that this was the case, the whistle sounded
as Forest kicked off. |
|
Attacking
the opposition’s goal with vigour from the start, Forest
played “one touch” football with confidence. In the second
minute, Chris Wong lofted a ball onto the head of Joe
Maskell and he instinctively headed the ball into the space
in which Sammy Elliot was running into. |
|
The back
of Sammy’s behind was all that the Rockets defender saw as
he glided pass them using his speed. For a slight moment we
all thought Sammy had pushed the ball too far in front of
the advancing Rockets keeper. However, straining every sinew
in his body he poked it pass the onrushing keeper and into
the net. 1-0 after two minutes. All the Forest supporters
and parents whooped and hollowed with abandonment. Sammy’s
Dad had missed the goal as he was still trying to park his
car, as did Dave Alexander who went to move his car from a
no parking zone. |
|
Sammy
Elliott had been a revelation since signing for Forest and I
would be at lost to find someone fitter than him, with the
exception of course of “Raquel Welch” in her prime. “She is
well fit” as Jack Still would say. Somehow, the word “fit”
seems to mean something else in today’s youth language. A
“double entendre”. |
|
Fearing an
immediate onslaught as in the previous match, Forest
defended stoutly. Scriven, Alexander and Marshie was as
tight as ever and Matt the keeper was having a solid game
again, collecting and coming out for the ball to relieve
pressure from the defence. |
|
Chris
Wong, well he was there, we think!!!!! Yeah he was there, he
won the toss!!!! |
|
By now all
the near chances were being created by Forest. However, 1-0
ahead was no consolation as the game was like my fridge
“nothing in it” and the boys knew that they needed a second
goal. |
|
At 1-0
half time, Eric and Ray urged the boys on. In truth not a
lot needed to be said as the boys had again surpassed
themselves. |
|
The boys
were now playing so well as a unit and knew that they would
create a lot more chances, and so it proved. Jamie Merritt
and Joe Maskell were now getting a lot more room down the
flanks and each player tracked back well and assisted the
midfield when needed. |
|
Alex
Virrell came on for Jamie Meritt midway during the second
half and he too was a seamless introduction into Jamie’s
position. |
|
Top
scorer Joe Maskell had a few chances to add to his tally,
only to be denied by the keeper and last ditch tackles of
the opposition. Sammy Elliott looked dangerous every time he
got the ball. Jack Moxley, Jack Still with Alex Stephen was
a triumph in midfield. Alex Stephen had a chance saved by
the keeper and he ran his heart out for the side before he
too was substituted by David Smith because of injury. |
|
Smithy
slotted into the Alex’s position and played solidly. |
|
From a
Forest Corner, Alexander, leapt like a salmon and headed the
ball towards goal. It was parried by their keeper, but
Elliott was there to tuck the ball home for 2-0. The game
was as good as over. There was nothing coming back from the
opposition. |
|
The
confidence of the lads were now so high that they knew that
they would score again, and it was not long before a through
ball by Chris Wong to Joe Maskell yielded the third goal.
Joe turned the Rockets defender and drew the keeper out
before fairly slapping in the third. We were all happy for
Joe, as this goal and the wins against Rockets had banished
a previous history for him. He deserved his goal as he had
worked tirelessly all game. |
|
Thoughts
turn to what might have been had we started the season in
the same form. Reveries of title and cups for next season.
For now, one game left to go, arguably our toughest
opponents, lets go and win it to finish the season off.
“Well done boys”!!! |
|
Four wins
on the trot. Can you hear it? “Lazell for England”. Win next
week and that chant will become a “rising crescendo of
decibels” Can you hear it? Louder and Louder;
“LAZELL
FOR ENGLAND”
“LAZELL
FOR ENGLAND” |
|
|
