2008 ROUND 2
LUSC Third XI vs Melton 4 - 0

Goals:
Jones, Michael M (30)
Sturgess, Mark (50)
Dimoski, Michael (60)
Dimoski, Michael (70)

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After having started the season in blazing fashion against some inferior opposition, the 3rd XI set about continuing their winning ways by hosting Melton on a cool Autumn Sunday.

Hoping for a sterner test than last week, we suspected the opposition might prove more of an opposition than our round 1 opponent as they had recorded a 4-4 draw the previous week.

Come game time our team was ready to play and focused on the task at hand. Big Mika showed his dedication by pulling himself out of the sick bed to play.

The opposition appeared a slightly disorganised bunch who were late getting onto the pitch and even later getting their team sheet into order. Subsequently at the referee's behest the start of the game was delayed. Having been offered the 3-0 win by the ref, the boys declined as we were determined to have a hit-out and win on merits.

Around 20 minutes late and with reduced halves, playing with our custom 4-4-2, we started the game well with some fluent passing and movement. We got on top early and largely controlled the midfield - reducing the opposition to speculative long balls and pressured passing when our attacks petered out. Micky Jones who was given the chance to start upfront after his second-half hatrick last week managed to unlock the Melton defence and scored the first overdue goal of the match with a nice finish. We continued to create several opportunities including a well worked set piece which nearly paid off the work we have been putting in at training.

Then, just as we were looking to score a second goal DISASTER struck! No, not a goal. No, not a red card. Instead the goals shifted when the opposition goalkeeper lent on them. With the referee deeming the goals unsafe for the game to continue (something he probably should have checked before the game...) the ensuing events to make the goals satisfactory was something of Benny Hill comedy (in fast forward with music and all). By around 15 minutes later we had stabilised the goals and the match continued.

We got into half time with the score at 1-0, knowing it could have been a few more. Weary that any part of bad luck could bring the opposition back into the game we managed to score the crucial second goal early in the second which helped take the edge off the game. Big Mika scored two second half goals and "The Sturg" managed to poke in a rebound to help the defence register their first goal for the season. After the second goal the match was in cruise control with the midfield starting to link up well with some of their passing. With some better finishing we could have added another 2-3 goals.

Difficult to gauge a MOM with the stop-start events during the match and with most players doing well. Special mention this week to "The Sturg" for a solid game in defence as well as getting one for the defenders.

Without playing that well, the boys managed to claim a comfortable 4-0 win under adverse circumstances. We can expect much tougher matches during the season and look forward to the challenge of our next match.