Back in Business
Since the turn of the year Methven F.C have been working hard to rejuvenate its squad and it seems to be paying off with a new seniors and reserve team.
After losing such stars as Gary Anderson and Espen Vestergaard from last years campaign, the team could be forgiven for venturing into a tough season with some trepidation. However with the injection of youth alongside the experienced seniors something special is taking shape. Hard work, good team ethic and a desire to play the game in the correct, attractive manner is the new philosophy and it would appear that everyone involved has bought into that.
Methven F.C 9 v Selwyn F.C B 0
The last time these two teams met was in the quarter final of the cup and it took penalties to separate them. Unfortunately for Selwyn this wasn't to be a similar encounter with the home side setting the tempo from the get go, putting the visitors to the sword.
It wasn't long before the well constructed pass and move combinations paid off when Thabs Khabu cut in on the right hand side of the box and unleashed an audacious effort, left pegged into the top corner, 1-0.
Methven continued in the same vein, keeping Selwyn pinned in their own half, not allowing them anytime on the ball and once in possession they used it in devastating fashion. With every attack they looked like scoring and soon they doubled their lead when new signing Hugo Smith picked up the ball about 20 yards out and launched a delightful curling shot, which was a goal the moment it left his boot, 2-0.
Roy Posa and Callum Angus added a third and fourth goal , before Posa got his second with a superb headed from a corner to make it 5-0 at the interval. The visitors went in, in a state of shock; a fragile backline and a general feeling of being shaken and stirred after being completely out thought, out run and out gunned in every sense.
The hosts went into the second half brimming with confidence and ready to do more damage. Neat passing from side to side and one touch stuff were the norm and veteran goalkeeper James Wasley, often overworked in previous campaigns was merely a spectator. You could see Selwyn getting increasingly frustrated and they soon resorted to cheap fouls and petulant attitudes. This then turned nasty at times and a potential leg breaking, reckless lunge on John 'the governor' Peneycad escaped unpunished.
As in the first half, Methven soon reaped the rewards of their fine play and Angus added a sixth with his second of the match. It was soon 7-0 when Liam Sheppard fired a vicious free kick from around 25 yards, which nestled into the roof of the net and left the keeper with egg on his face. Another player making his debut was Jason Lee Moore in the right wing back position and by the looks of it Methven have found themselves another gem as he got involved in the party exquisitely shooting home from a tight angle to make it 8-0.
At this point there was only one thing missing, which was the usual goal from Jan 'Luccini' Lukasek. The midfield maestro cut in onto his left and curled a beautiful placed shot from distance into the top corner, leaving the keeper with no chance, 9-0.
Methven could have and should have inflicted more pain on their visitors but a late penalty from Posa was saved, denying him a deserved hatrick for his fine work on the left.
The game ended and Methven finished clear and deserved winners, thrashing their opponents and sending a warning to the rest of the league that they mean business this year. Finally a notable mention goes out to Darcy Taylor for his man of the match performance. The youngster was in fine form today and totally made the most of his call up to the seniors.
Methven go again next week against the newly promoted Coastal Spirit Pressie A at Cuthberts Green, 2:30pm kick off on Saturday 14/04/2018.