Sometimes having a large squad can be a pain in the backside, other times it’s a blessing.

Sadly Louis Ready will be out for the season due to a broken knee cap caused at a school sports day. Tommy Heaton had a golfing weekend and Jarod Tuckwood sat out the whole game on the bench nursing a sore knee. So basically we were down to only 11 players for a difficult game away to Figtree.

The game was relegated to Figtree’s backfield, so the pitch was small, devoid of any grass and the ground was as hard as concrete. Despite an unpredictable pitch the Cobras made most of the running and deservedly went ahead after a mad goal mouth scramble in which Jordan Errington, Zac Winter, Blair Dunn and Bailey Baade Mortimer all had attempts to score before Jordan Errington (again) managed to scramble the ball over the line, 0-1. Bailey Baade Mortimer was involved in the second goal when he was clumsily brought down for a penalty. Up stepped Blair Dunn to drill the ball into the corner of the net, 0-2. Christian Baade Mortimer then combined well down the left flank with Blair Dunn to set up Jordan Errington, a quick turn followed by a shot and we had number three. It wasn’t all one way and the pace of Figtree’s forwards on the counter attack kept Russell Vale’s defenders on their toes.

On a very warm winters day Figtree obviously felt the heat a lot more than Russell Vale because they sat a lot deeper in the second half. This allowed the Cobras to bring the game to them and from a Baxter Bowler Prentice corner Christian Baade Mortimer converted with an excellent shot from 15 yards out, 0-4. The fifth goal and Jordan Errington’s hat trick had a touch of “Cahill” about the finish. Baxter Bowler Prentice was once again involved winning the ball on the half way line. Bailey Baade Mortimer then put Riley Hanlon away and his cross was met on the volley by Jordan Errington, 0-5. With a comfortable lead and next Friday’s Plate Semi Final in mind it was important to see out the rest of the game without any further injuries. Unfortunately we switched off near the end and allowed Figtree to score a deserved consolation goal. An attempted clearance in the box, a bad bobble, ball to hand and the ref gave a penalty. Although Sean Donnelly guessed the right way the shot was so well placed no keeper would have saved it. A couple of other players who didn’t score today deserve a mention. Zac Winter dominated Figtree’s midfield from start to finish and Riley Hanlon has finally clicked this season, improving in all aspects of his game.

We are reduced to 11 players again for next Friday evening, so I will have to draft in Ben Luyten as cover, it will give the youngster some valuable experience. Please ensure all the players attend training next week so we can prepare properly for the big game ahead.

Finally our best wishes go out to Louis Ready. His incredible pace and clinical finishing in front of goal will be missed by his teammates, not to mention his Coach. Hopefully his operation will be successful today and I’m confident he will return to Cawley Park an even better player next season.

YNWA

Coach