In the words of classic literary geniuses D-Ream things can only get better. That was the feeling after last week's dismal 2-1 defeat to AC Mynan which rooted Jiggle to the bottom of League A. Another last sixteen with a patched up five at the Burgess Hill tournament last Saturday continued the handy tournament form but the tournaments are much more enjoyable when you're doing the business on a Friday night. Having witnessed the rollercoaster of the England defeat in a shower of beer at Brannigans last night Jiggle approached tonight with a game plan that went along the lines of imagine we're playing five Urs Meiers. Could it work, could Jiggle finally produce the kind of performance that could launch a drive for respectability by the end of the season?
The Wernham Hoggs 0 FC Jiggle 2 (Dave Carling 6 Sam Cohen 15)
Two excellent goals by Dave Carling and Sam Cohen capped a very good Jiggle display as the side finally got off the mark in Week 6 of the Summer Fives. Tonight's match was a complete contrast to last Friday with Jiggle transformed from the disorganised, disorientated rabble well beaten by Mynan to a well-organised unit fully deserving of this first three points. This scoreline goes to prove the funny old game theory of football as Hoggs inflicted a 3-1 defeat on Samba Stars earlier this season, a side who thrashed Jiggle 4-1. The side this evening reunited David Leake and Chris Laker in defence, the latter pulling on the shirt for the 100th time. Dave Carling and Sam Cohen led the line. With Stuart MacPherson and Phil Williamson unavailable there were no subs tonight. Hoggs started well and it looked as if the Jiggle goal would again be the scene of more of the action. Phil proved equal to a couple of early alarms and was grateful to a sharp David Leake clearance after parrying one inadvertantly back out the area. Jiggle began to grow in confidence as the game began to be played in a more comfortable area of the pitch. Dave Carling had shown his attacking intent with a snap shot wide in the third minute but soon Jiggle's midfield man was celebrating opening the scoring in tremendous fashion. Picking the ball up on half way Dave flicked the ball behind the Wernham defence, outpaced a chasing defender and on the second bounce guided a superb half volley into the far corner. Jiggle were last ahead against Samba Stars. Everyone was keen to avoid a repeat of how that one finished and this was a lead protected and built on with a great deal more comfort. Dave and Sam were looking sharp in attack and Sam had a great chance to make it two inside a minute but was thwarted by a fine block by the keeper. The early stages of the second-half saw Hoggs beginning to put more runners into the attack but Jiggle stood firm and picked them up well. The second goal midway through the second-half was to prove decisive and was another super strike. Breaking up a Wernham attack Chris advanced from the back to play in Sam. Sam returned the favour playing Chris in on goal, the keeper made a good block with his legs but sent the ball only up in the air towards the edge of the box where Sam showed textbook volleying technique to guide a low shot into the bottom corner. With Jiggle defending well there was every reason to feel optimistic that the two-goal lead would lead to the first win of the season. Wernham Hoggs however continued to hunt a way back into the match and Phil was called on with his best save of the night to keep out a shot that deflected off Dave Leake's arse. Dave Carling then almost capped an excellent personal performance by grabbing a third only for the keeper to foil his one on one but it didn't matter as the whistle came to confirm Jiggle's first win of the season. It's been a long time coming but this was a well-organised and solid performance and one which will hopefully lead to a few more wins before the summer is out. Team: Phil Laker, David Leake, Chris Laker, Dave Carling, Sam Cohen. Jiggle Online Man-of-the-Match: Dave Carling |