MAYBANK ROVERS 0-4 BLUES

10/12/00

Junior Blues picked up another three points in their inexorable persuit of back-to-back league titles. In the clash of the day, Blues ran out worthy winners , and with a game in hand, they now go nine points clear of Maybank, who started the day in second place.

After all the recent postponements, Blues were grateful for the opportunity to play on successive Sundays, and although parts of the pitch cut up towards the end, it was in surprisingly good condition.

Maybank probably started the brighter of the two sides, and had two early chances to open the scoring, but keeper Jim Brunt saved the first effort, and Matt Bayley diverted the second for a corner.

Having survived these scares, Blues gradually began to dominate, and after several half chances, they finally found their scoring touch. The first goal came midway through the first half when Sam Hall's neat pass found Gareth Allott, and he went round the keeper to score from a very tight angle.

Jamie Robinson headed narrowly wide after excellent build-up play, and brilliant play by Oliver Edwards led to a Sam Hall cross being headed onto the bar by a Rovers' defender. Maybank also came close on two occasions with headers from corners, but generally the play was in their half.

Blues were always looked like they were going to score again, and so it came as no surprise when the keeper failed to save a fierce Danny Gruic shot, and Gareth Allott was on hand to despatch the loose ball.

H/T: - Maybank 0-2 Blues

The second half was very similar to the first, with Blues dominating, but Maybank looking dangerous from corners and free kicks. Quick thinking from a throw in, caught out the Maybank defence, but Oliver Edwards' shot was well saved, and then a Sam Hall header went close, after good interplay by Matt Bayley and Jamie Robinson.

Blues had several corners and crosses, but they were unable to get anybody on the end of them, and frustratingly, the ball ran to safety. With five minutes left, it was looking as if the scoring was finished, but Blues still kept pressing, and scored two late goals.

A pass from Tom Bourne found Gareth Allott whose cross to Jamie Robinson left him a simple tap-in for number three, but the goal of the game came in the last minute, when Oliver Edwards beat two men, and then scored with an exquisite chip.

This was a far better performance by Blues against a good Maybank side, particularly after their abysmal effort of last week. They worked hard for each other, and when called upon, the defence were resolute.

Our grateful thanks, once again to our sponsors PROTECH ELECTRICALS LTD, and THE BRITANNIA BUILDING SOCIETY.