Diggle Reserves 3    Lepton Highlanders   0       

Song:  Can Can by Bad Manners (courtesy of  Devy) and Money for Nothing by Dire Straits (courtesy of Chris Thornton)

Knowing that our opponents today were to give us our biggest test of the season (after giving us our biggest home defeat last season) we knew how important it was to prepare well. First v Second doesn’t come any more bigger.

We all arrived in good time for a comical, detailed, professional team talk by our boss “Simple as that” Adie. It did the job and set the tone for the afternoon. “Can Can” Devy gave his normal rigorous warm up and so all were ready in mind and body.

Lepton won the toss and chose to play against the wind first half. Diggle started at a high tempo and maintained this throughout the half. Goalkeeper Mike Moore’s kicking/distribution was top drawer, while Joe Wolfenden marshalled the back four well. This allowed our central midfield partnership of  Bevan Mayall and Danny Tomlinson (Statler & Waldorf....old guys in the balcony on the Muppet Show) to push and support the attacking play. Paul Wood and debutant 16 year old Ryan Fitton were always options out wide giving the front two of Glyn Partington and Leland Mayall a number of opportunities.

After a few close misses, (good saves actually by Lepton’s keeper) from a couple of Leland’s efforts and a cheeky Danny T 20 yard outside of the boot chip that just whipped past the post, midway through the half  Diggle took the lead. A throw in for us down our left hand side saw Glyn win a header and the ball bounce just in front of the advancing Bevan Mayall. From 26.78 yards out Bev hit a (hard to say this) sweet volley that flew into the top of the Lepton net. The celebrations that followed (Russian Can Can dance) were in memory of  Devy’s attempted half dozen air shot clearances last week at Netherton. 1-0 the Digg.

Under constant pressure the Lepton defence stayed organised and focused, unfortunately for them they were not able to hold the final Diggle attack of the first half. Woody played a low pass down the right wing for Glyn to chase who hit a precise hard driven ball across the Lepton box where Leland raced in to volley home from close range (3.66 yards)....great goal, great time to score. Half time 2-0

Managers team talk at half time was more of the same, playing against the wind, we clear our lines, play football in their half and focus on 9 x 5 minute sessions? (Which he reminded us of EVERY 5 MINUTES THEREAFTER).......... “Simple as that”

One change at right back, workman Ben McNamara for Mark Lees

Diggle started the second half the same way we finished the first. Straight from the kick off Leland harassed the Lepton defence, won the ball, and hit a 30.99 yard shot that had goal all over it until Leptons keeper once again pulled off a flying (were the cameras rolling) save. Diggle played some fantastic football and had a number of opportunities to kill off the game. The goal that finished Leptons brave efforts came from some good work down the right between Glyn and Woody which saw the latter cross the ball (which eluded 2 defenders) to find Leland unmarked to smash home from 15.88 yards out.......3-0 game over.

Our midfield and defence stayed strong and focused throughout the half with us always looking at not letting the ball bounce and winning the first and second ball, man of the match (left back) Kelvin McWatt epitomised this.

Substitutions were made, Rhys Thomas for young Ryan and Matt “talks too much” Taylor. More opportunities to score were created from some great team football.

Big Chris had a row with the Gaffer about not clearing the ball properly and trying a circus like back heel. Chris’s response to Adie’s GET RID! ...... “I might do it if I get paid”

.....never heard that one before? Credit to Chris.....he got rid every time after that....we all want to know, did he get paid?

Credit also to the ref who had allowed the game to be played as it should be.

He had a remarkable resemblance to our gaffer and I apologise to him now if he takes offense especially if we go off how Adie “Simple as that” described himself in the changing room team talk?????

Full time 3-0

A great team performance (that it needed to be) against an organised Lepton.

Every one played their part, making it 14 wins on the bounce for the Champions. Let’s stay hungry, focused, fit and confident.....it’s a long season and competition is good.

Match report: By Leland “Godfather” Mayall

(Not quite as long as Mr. Southerns)

 
MOM - 1st Kelvin McWatt, 2nd Joe Wolfenden, 3rd Paul Wood
 
Leading Goal Scorers 
10 - Leland Mayall, 6 - Matthew P Taylor, 4 - Lee Clarke, 2 - Jake Jacobs, Kelvin McWatt, Bevan Mayall 1 - Jamie MacFarlane, Paul Swallow, Richard Devy (plus 1 OG), Mark Jackson, Stephen Scoltock, Martin Mayall, Glyn Partington, Joe Wolfenden.