BLUES 12 - 1 WINDMILL WARRIORS

8/10/00

Junior Blues revelled in the autumnal sunshine as they overcame a spirited Warriors team, thus maintaining their 100% start to the season, and stretching their unbeaten run to 35 games. Their last defeat came at U10's level, when they lost a play-off for the league title - a phenomenal record for junior football.

The match was as one-sided as the score suggests, and only poor finishing prevented the score being doubled. It took Blues five minutes to open their account when Sam Hall's fine shot from outside the box found the corner of the net. Before this, both Gareth Allott and Sam had chances to score, but put their shots wide.

Four minutes later, Oliver Edwards found Gareth Allott who unselfishly squared it to Danny Gruic for an easy tap in, for number two.

A brief flurry by Warriors led to two successive corners, but neither led to anything, and the Leek Town goal remained intact. Meanwhile at the other ends shots at goal rained in, and it was no surprise when Blues scored a third. A poor kick out, fell to Tom Bourne and he fed the ball to Oliver Edwards who scored with ease. The fourth came when a Blues' free kick fell to Danny Gruic and he drilled the ball home.

However, Warriors didn't give up, and as just reward for their first half efforts, they pulled a goal back. Richard Parkes ran straight through the heart of the Blues' defence and put the ball wide of Jim Brunt in the Blues' goal, giving them faint hopes of a comeback.

On the stroke of half time, Oliver Edwards was through on the Warriors' goal, but 'keeper Dave Iacono made a superb point-blank save.

H/T: - Windmill Warriors 1 - 4 Junior Blues

The second half turned into annihilation for Warriors, as Blues scored another eight times. With Warriors unable to restrain Blues, they were completely overwhelmed, with wave after wave of Blues' attacks confronting them.

The fifth goal came after ten minutes of the restart when a Sam Hall cross was missed by Gareth Allott, but fortuitously, it deceived the 'keeper, and crept in at the far post.

Blues then proceeded to score virtually at will, as another seven goals were added before the final whistle from Mitch Shenton, James Brough (3), Sam Hall, Gareth Allott and Oliver Edwards, partially atoning for his numerous misses!

Overall, this was a far better performance by Blues, but they are still not tight enough at the back, and some of the misses could be vital against better opposition.

Once again, we are indebted to our sponsors, PROTECH ELCETRICALS LTD and THE BRITANNIA BUILDING SOCIETY.