Mountaineers simply irresistible
Christchurch United Presidents 0 v Methven F.C 8
A wet day and a boggy pitch was the setting for this encounter. Methven were looking to bounce back from their lacklustre performance last week and go into a 2 week break with a 3 point cushion at the top. Despite the difficult conditions the away team started strong, making the ball do the work as it zipped across the drenched surface. Following a series of early attacks Methven finally found the net when a through ball from Smith found Angus with time and space to slot home his finish with relative ease, 0-1.
The Presidents then responded and started making their own probes to get back on level terms. Some loose passing in Methven's own half led to a few shaky moments and a subsequent corner led to a goal line clearance from Shimomura.
The danger wasn’t over however, the rebound struck the woodwork before brilliant defending eventual repelled the Christchurch attack and brought the skirmish to a close.
Methven began to settle down and quickly laid siege on the home sides goal. Wave after wave of attacks were to follow and it was only a matter of time until the next goal. London buses are said to arrive in twos but not happy with that scenario, Methven went one better scoring three quick fire goals, to place them in a commanding lead; with strikes from Angus, Smith and Torres, 0-4.
The goal of the game came curtesy of new boy Hugo Smith who has started this campaign in harmonious fashion. The midfield maestro jinked his way through several defenders before being felled a yard into the 18 yard box. After a soft dispute with the officials, a debatable freekick was awarded on the edge of the box. Up stepped Smith himself to lash his strike across the goal past a watching keeper and despairing wall to nestle firmly in the side of the net, 0-5.
A very distinguished performance from Methven's goal machine was topped with his first hat trick of the season as Angus beefed up his score tally for the season, like a fox, he slyly dispossessed the last defender and with the keeper in no mans land, instinctively passed the ball into the net, 0-6.
Half time sounded and the teams went into the break with the game seemingly over and 3 points a mere 45 minutes away. Spectators could be forgiven for thinking this could soon turn into a cricket score by the end. However despite some provocative play and some guilt edge chances missed, Methven failed to make their superior dominance result in many more goals. Instead there were only to be 2 more additions to the shoreline. Youngster Darcey Taylor found then net for the first time this season when he ghosted to the back post and finished off a fine move with confidence, 0-7. Rory Posa added the 8th and last goal when a sloppy back pass was ruthlessly punished with a delicious low strike across the keeper into the bottom right corner, 0-8.
Man of the match went to Wes Torres who came on early in the first half, replacing the injured Luccini. Big shoes to fill but he did it admirably and was a constant nuisance for the home side throughout the match.
This was a fantastic, dynamic performance from the mountaineers as they tightened a strong hold on the league in its inception. That's 21 goals with only 2 conceded in 4 games, a superb return from the well oiled side.
The seniors now take a well deserved 2 week break and will play again on Saturday 12th May at 2:30pm, Methven domain, against Burwood AFC.
However if you can't wait that long the Methven reserves will go head to head with the early league leaders Oxford, this coming Saturday 5th May, 2:30pm kick off at the Methven domain.