Gold Hill return to the top of the table after a 4-3 victory over Hazlemere Crusaders. Several changes were made to the starting line up by the manager, Mark Chamberlain, with Jon King coming into the team at left back, Pete ‘psycho’ Gledhill moving to the right wing and Lee Evans playing as the supporting striker. With key players Mendleton, Fadipe, Young and Proc missing, Chamberlain demanded the team to step up to the plate knowing that a victory would place Gold Hill at the top of the table.
Despite the absentees, Gold Hill took control of the game early on and were carving through the Crusaders time after time with some slick two touch moves. Adshead and Evans were looking sharp up top and it was Evans who broke the deadlock latching onto a long ball and dinking the ball past the helpless goalkeeper. Soon after Evans bagged another and then his strike partner with his shiny new boots, Adshead, scored smashing the ball across the keeper into the far corner with his right foot...yes that’s correct....right foot! 3-0 to Gold Hill and the feeling within the camp was that this was going to be a rout and then the unthinkable happened...Goalkeeper Stu Law was yet again lobbed standing on his goal line and this time from a cross! Despite the embarrassment Gold Hill replied in a positive fashion with Adshead claiming his second of the game. However, credit to Hazlemere as they prevented Gold Hill from ‘crusade’-ing away with the game and were able to reduce the deficit to two goals thanks to some shambolic Gold Hill defending. A succession of missed sit down tackles allowed the Crusaders’ left back to cruise through the defence at the speed of a cruise liner to set up his team mate for a simple finish.
4-2 at the break and the momentum was now with the home side. Chamberlain issued a stern warning to the team in fear of a repeat of the horror show second half against Holy Trinity. Gold Hill failed to finish off the Crusaders though and were struggling to cope with their pacey ginger winger and skilful forward, Ashley. Gold Hill came close to extending their lead when a Bevan free kick whisked past the post. Tense moments were to follow for the away side as Hazlemere pulled a goal back again due to some questionable defending. Thankfully Gold Hill were able to hold on until the final whistle to claim the three points.
The three points will please Chamberlain as it sees the team in yellow return to the top of the table, however the three goals conceded and the team’s inability to put the game out of sight will be areas of concern for the ultra-conservative manager. Notable performances from Webber, Psycho, King, Adshead and Evans will offer some encouragement for the David Cameron campaigner. The team now sit at the top of the table with the points banked knowing that St Clements and Roxeth would replace them if they are to win their games in hand. The pressure is on them now as Gold Hill are now in pole position to take advantage of any slip ups.
*Probably due to being lobbed again, there has still been no response to our desperate appeal to find a new WAG for the mighty Gold Hill goalkeeper, Stu Laws. The ‘always wearing, always wearing’ goalkeeper is now promising the lucky girl a free Latte and one game of Prime Evil Hunt...something not to be frowned upon!