With major doubts during the week if we would be able to play the match due to the rain and a very heavy wet pitch it was quite ironic to be standing on a frozen pitch at 7.30 wondering if it would defrost in time. With a kick off delayed till 10 it was a great relief that both sides decided to go ahead and play .
Cranleigh started very quickly pinning Rudgwick in their own half and creating a few half chances with Deon Mubaiwa twice shooting over from outside the area. Our first goal was scored by Isaac (Ginger ) Holt who lobbed the keeper from the corner of the area. A shot that he absolutely meant and was in no way a mis hit cross. He claimed.
Sullivan Howick blazed wide with the goal at his mercy only to redeem himself 2 minutes later hitting a first time shot from outside the area to make it 2 -0 . Charlie Gibson was causing havoc among the Rudgwick defence and beat 3 players to make it 3-0. Cranleigh really were on top now with our keeper not having touched the ball yet .
A great through ball by Ethan Payne saw Deon break away from the Rudgwick defence and with just the keeper to beat managed to shoot straight at him . Within a minute Deon was again through from a ball by Charlie Gibson and this time beat the keeper to make it 4-0. Sullivan Howick was having a fantastic game out wide and his pass to Charlie saw him score our 5th.
At half time it was 5-0 to Cranleigh
The second half started in much the same vein although curiously Rudgwick now seemed to be pushing more players forward. Maybe looking for the draw. With more space Sullivan Howick threaded a great ball to Deon who finished to make it 6-0. By now it seemed as if both teams were playing 4 up front which left loads of space in the middle which Cranleigh exploited
A great cross by Jack Rogers saw Sullivan head wide from 2 yards . Sullivan was finding loads of space at the far post with some great runs . Unfortunately he couldn’t seem to hit a barn door with a banjo missing 3 sitters inside 5 minutes earning him a new team nickname of 1 in 10, as in scores 1 chance in 10 .At least every time he missed he smiled. A hopeful cross by Rudgwick was met on the volley by their number 9 to give them a goal which to be honest they did deserve as they never gave up all game and battled hard all game despite the score. By now Cranleigh were getting a bit too greedy in front of goal which was a shame as our team play had been so good before. Charlie Gibson burst through a tiring Rudgwick defence for his hat trick 7 -1 . The scoring was completed with a Deon Mubaiwa hat tick from an Ethan Payne pass .
Final Score 8-1 with so many chances missed it was at times very frustrating but at least we were creating the chances
Men of the Match – Isaac Holt a very intelligent player who never wastes a pass
Sullivan Howick 1 goal , 2 assists , 10 misses a great all round game
Scorers
Charlie Gibson – 3
Deon Mubaiwa – 3
Isaac Holt – 1
Sullivan Howick – 1
