Rod
Sav
Glyn
Matt
Loll
Jonny
Roger
Ricky
Durrant
Blandy
Botterill
Another week, another team, another win as the well-oiled Allstar machine marches onwards.
The Allstars put in another well organised, performance as Virgin NME were professionally dispatched.
The Line-up was strong on Sunday; credit must go to Roger and Matt who stepped up with almost seamless ease demonstrating the extensive scouting network behind the scenes at Gower FC.
It was a bright start for the Allstars as they looked to impose themselves on the lush playing surface at Whittington. A breakthrough came early on as Jonny took the ball down the left wing beating his marker and the next in the process before whipping a dangerous cross in. Blandy finished but unfortunately, and not for the only time in the game! He was caught offside.
A very solid first half with the back four mopping up everything. Sav and Lol in particular combining tenacious full-back play with some precise passing. And Ollie, Jonny and Ricky providing solid attacking thrust with Roger excelling in the ‘Makelele’ Role.
5 mins before half time and a clearance from Roger was latched onto by the pursuing Blandy who saw the keeper back-pedalling and instinctively launched a 30yd lob over him, 1-0.
Good 1st Half with Allstars in control - and should have been 3 up.
The next goal would prove to be decisive and after a superb bit of interplay between Botterill and Blandy, Dave sprinted through on goal and placed a left footed shot under the keeper. 2-0
Ironic and true to the game, Allstars came under a good 20mins of pressure from a resurgent Virgin Team. After numerous corners and free-kicks being expertly ‘finger-tipped’ away by Rod, Virgin won a free-kick in the centre about 30yards out. The ball was swung in with pace and swerve and managed to beat Rod into the top corner. 2-1 Game On!
5 minutes after sustained pressure, Virgin managed to force a scrappy equaliser after a deflected shot from outside the box made it 2-2.
In typical Gower spirit, they picked themselves up and started to battle. Ricky and Roger working well winning challenges all over the pitch and showing great determination. With the will to extend their winning run and the experience from many previous come-backs the Allstars pressed forward in search of a winner. It came eventually with more good link up between Dave and Owen ending in an exact replica of the 2nd goal only on the other wing.3-2
Now the Allstars were in control and were not going to let it slip again, Phil and Matt were excellent in orchestrating the team to keep the ball and slow the game down.
Their was still time for the cherry on the cake as Botterill claimed his Hat-trick after a fortunate handball ricochet into his path. 10 in 3 games for the DB-OB partnership, Kelly and Medley who??
All in all a good team performance and win against a decent Virgin team.
MOTM- Has to go to Dave Botterill this week for tireless work-rate, sublime skill and deadly finishing. Notable mentions for Matt, Lol, Roger and Ricky who put in good performances.
