St Pats 4 The Bush 0
After defeat in the first game of the season and eager to reverse the result of the pre-season friendly against the Bush, Manager Dai Rees decided a change in formation and tactics was needed for this fixture. The influx of defenders to the squad was to prove a bit of a headache for the manager.
Ditched was the traditional and familiar 4-4-2, in favour of a sweeper system and a couple of wingbacks. Tom Coles was selected for goals on his comeback from the wilderness and returning to the team after a lengthy spell in the tattoo parlour was Chris Crowley, who could fit so perfectly into this sweeper role. In front of him was the new centre half partnership of Phil Tom and Hywel 'mad dog' ap Dafydd. Attacking options on the flanks in Simon Mcgee and Connors were centred by the 'lunatic' Liam Barry, Mattthew Jones and the on form Ryan 'Don' Williams, this left a new untested strike partnership of Brennan and Paul 'Truck' Treloar.(which was as much of a shock to him as it was to anyone else.
The first half was a cagey affair with neither team creating many chances and stuggling to break through the defenses. the were a few smart saves from Colesy in the St Pat's goal but at the other end strikes were limited to 2 missed opportunities from Liam Barry and a 'Truck' volley that caught the centre half square in the chops, (rumour is that they found his nose in fluid last night).
Half time 0-0.
St. Pat's were eager not to get caught out at the start of the second half as they were vs Tremains, and with Crowley sweeping up like a school caretaker on an blustery autumn day, and Liam barry willing to clear falling Breeze blocks with his head, there was no chance the Bush were going to get through the defence.
The breakthrough came after about an hour with Ryan 'Don' Williams bursting into the box to calmly control and fire a Simon Mcgee throughball past the flapping keeper. 1-0 to the Pat's and Dons 100% scoring record was intact.
A scrappy 10 minutes followed, but then it was business as usual for the Pat's. A high ball was not dealt with by the Bush defence and as the ball spirlled up and out of their box Matthew 'Cool as a Cucumber' Jones took his time to control the ball before smashing a right foot volley past the rooted Bush Keeper. 2-0. Happy days.
It took another 10 minute's for the Pat's to get their third (mainly due to Pissed O'Connor's bumbling about on the left wing). Gavin Davies on for the injured/pissed 'Don' was a nuiscance imediately and his determination was frustrating the Bush and some good work finally saw the ball spill to Brennan 25 yards from goal, who calmly squared the bal acros the box for Matthew Jones to compose himself and Curl the ball into the far corner.3-0 and cruising. There was no return for the Bush now with only 10 minutes to play.
St Pats wrapped up eh win with a fourth curtesy of Brennan, some great pressure from Matthew JOnes saw him tackle the last defender and stroll through the midfield, on his hat trick now, nobody could've blamed him for going for glory but he repaid Brennans earlier pass with a square ball and with just the keeper to beat from 12 yards he side footed it into the net.
4-0 full time.
A great result and excellent allround performance, defensively immense and patient and calculating in attack! This is gonna be an exciting season!
Come on the Pat's