Subject: BLACKBROOK 6 HINDSFORD 1

This was another terrific squad performance in which everyone tried and usually succeeded in playing a passing game. Hindsford are a good side so a 6-1 victory is most gratifying. Russ Neale controlled this important fixture very well.

The first 25 minutes yielded few chances although Blackbrook had most of the ball. Then John McGowan & Gareth Thomas had near misses before an incisive Gareth Thomas pass found Liam Philpott who did well holding off his markers to score. Hindsford's first chance came from a deflection follwing a free kick, Phil Harrison making a good save. Soon afterwards Blackbrook hoped for a penalty for handball but it wasn't given. Just before the interval a bad tackle on John McGowan resulted in a Hindsford dismissal. The resulting free kick was tipped over the bar by Hindsford's excellent goalkeeper.

Immediately play resumed a superb Adam Gilchrist-Liam Philpott passing movement ended when Phil Eden, sprinting from defence, put the ball over the bar. Next on 43m, an astute Luke Graham pass was dispatched by John McGowan to make it 2-0. Five minutes later it became 3-0 when Liam Philpott scored in a goalmouth scramble. On 50m it was 4-0 when an exemplary James Fairhurst free kick was headed home by Liam Philpott. On 56m Gareth Thomas was fouled after a good run and Adam Ford, as usual, put away the consequential penalty to make the score 5-0.

On the hour Danny Walsh had four consecutive hard shots cleared off the crowded line, which certainly showed determined defensive work by Hindsford. Immediately afterwards good interplay between Andy Callaghan & Liam Philpott resulted in an acute angled rocket into the side netting by Danny Walsh. Just before the end a 7-man passing movement epitomised Blackbrook's performance. It ended when Gareth Thomas headed a well deserved goal to make the final score 6-1.

When a performance is as good as this it is hard to highlight the most effective players. However, Carl McConville with his new golden boots, Adam Ford & Daryl McCartney were excellent defenders.