BLUES 9 - 1 CAVERSWALL BULLDOGS

10/9/00

Junior Blues started the defence of their title with an emphatic win over new boys, Caverswall Bulldogs, under the rare warmth of the autumnal sun. Apart from the first ten minutes, when Blues had their usual slow start, this was very much a one-sided contest.

Blues nearly took the lead after only three minutes when Oliver Edwards narrowly volleyed over a Sam Hall corner, but they did not have to wait much longer for their opener. Good work from Danny Gruic down the left won Blues a corner, and from the resulting kick, debutante Tom Bourne, reacted quickly to give Blues the lead.

However, within two minutes, Bulldogs were back on level terms, as a ball down the middle caught the Town defence napping, and Mike Dunn scored a well-taken equaliser.

Both James Brough and Gareth Allott fired just over during a spell of relentless pressure, which soon paid dividends with three goals in as many minutes. First James Brough was brought down in the area, and Matt Bayley converted the spot-kick with ease. A Sam Hall pass then found Gareth Allott who finished superbly, and Danny Gruic scored the fourth with a fine right foot shot. Up to now his right leg had always been to stop him falling over, so it came as a surprise to everyone!

H/T: - Blues 4 - 1 Bulldogs

The second half saw Caverswall with their backs to the wall, and really it was a question of how many. A casual shot by Sam Hall made it five, and Oliver Edwards managed to sneak one in at the near post for the sixth. Sam Hall rounded off an excellent individual performance with a shot from outside the box, which found the corner of the net.

Matt Bayley comfortably tucked away his second penalty of the match after Oliver Edwards was bundled over, for number eight and a fine move down the right involving Adam Wood and Tom Bourne gave Gareth Allott an easy chance, and he made no mistake as he completed the scoring.

Blues carried on where they left off at the end of last season, but there is still a lot of room for improvement. Nevertheless, it was still a satisfying result for the first game of a new campaign.

CROFT COURT GARAGE sponsored the game, and PETER ELKIN UPHOLSTERERS sponsored the ball.