Seventh Heaven for Strikers as Waterbeach are Frozen Out.

So the decorations are down, the tree put away for another year, turkeys around the country are gobbling cheerfully again and it's time to run off some of that Christmas fat (well, at least for the younger contingent). This week's fixture is against a Waterbeach team who've been on a bit of dismal run after a good start to the season. We beat them 4-1 away, so after our painful experience against Milton, we're looking to get back into winning ways.

The starting lineup is Alex M in goal, the back four is James O, David, Owen (Captain) and Archie. Midfield dynamos are Leo and AJ with Pete and Alex S on the flanks. Cosmo and Josh start up front. Tom, Henry L and James F start on the sidelines. Waterbeach only have a squad of 11 so hopefully that will be to our advantage. We start kicking up field and into the wind. The Strikers are quickly into the attack with a couple of shots from Cosmo well saved by the Waterbeach keeper. Generally though the early play is fairly even with equal pressure from both sides. We're still getting into our stride and some of the players are taking a while to find their touch after the long lay off. Alex M has a scare when a Waterbeach strike hits the post, but from the next attack Leo slots through a ball for Josh to run onto and Josh picks his spot leaving the opposition goalie no chance. 1-0 to NST and we're on our way.

The defensive line is proving to be its usual excellent self and every Waterbeach attack is repelled by our stalwart defenders. David and Owen are cleaning up everything down the middle and James O and Archie are closing down the wings brilliantly. There's no way through for the Colts and as every approach breaks down it becomes a launching pad for the midfield counter attack. AJ is scavenging in the heart of the pitch and feeding the ball to Leo who is finding some brilliant angles for the attackers to pursue. Cosmo and Josh are after every ball and Cosmo is unlucky not score. Meanwhile Pete and Alex S are doing great work on the flanks turning the Waterbeach defenders inside out and creating lots of chances.

Soon Cosmo gets his reward when we win a corner. Alex S pings the ball in and Cosmo bundles home the loose ball. 2-0 to NST. "Not one of my best." he says after the match - but they all count. Although we continue to apply pressure and Tom, James F and Henry L get a run out, we don't add to the score before half time. This is in no short measure due to the valiant Waterbeach goalie who is playing well and keeping our strikers at bay. At the other end Alex M has dealt well with everything which has come his way - but to be frank he's had little to do and will be looking forward to a warming run around in the second half !

Bob blows for half-time and the boys troop off happy with the first half's endeavours.

For the second half Alex S swaps with Alex M in goal and the boys have the benefit of the down slope and the wind at their backs. We're soon on the attack with Pete working hard down the left wing and James F pushing forward on the right. It only takes a few minutes for Pete to score a freak goal with a "talented" (his words) lob of the goalie and it's 3-0 to NST. In fact Pete is having a bit of purple patch. Receiving the ball from Owen on the edge of the centre circle he outpaces the Waterbeach defenders in the race goalwards and blasts the ball past the goalie. 4-0 to the Strikers.

Waterbeach are pinned back now and NST are dominant with our attacks coming waves. Tom slips the ball through for Cosmo who gets one on one with the goalie, but the goalie does well and makes the save. Soon after James F has a great run down the right wing beating a couple of players before delivering a  sublime cross into the box. As the Strikers queue up to finish the move off, the ball evades them all except Archie racing in at the back post but he's off balance and stabs the ball wide.

Waterbeach get a chance to clear their lines, but even though they bring the ball out they can't get past David and Alex M in the heart of our defence. Archie feeds the ball out wide left to Pete who goes on a mazy and after a quick one-two with Tom he crosses the ball into the box. Cosmo is at the head of the queue, pressurising the defenders. The ball only gets as far as Henry L. He takes one touch on the edge of the box and drills the ball past the divign goalie and it's 5-0 to the mighty Strikers!

Stung by this setback Waterbeach attack with renewed conviction. As they break forward Josh is isolated but does well shepherding the Waterbeach attacker out wide, giving Alex M time to make up ground and assist with snuffing out the danger. Our under-employed goalie, Alex S is grateful for the opportunity to see a bit of the action !

Judy swaps the team around a bit, giving James O a run on the right wing and Tom a chance down the centre with Pete. Cosmo is moved to centre-back alongside David. Everyone is trying to get on the scoresheet and this leads to a lot of off-sides despite constant reminders from the sidelines. In one unlucky incident Tom breaks through and slides the ball past the goalie but is given off-side. It was a close call and you can judge for yourself on the video.

Then a piece of fantastic skill from David. Picking the ball up deep in his own half he sets off on a mazy run beating five (Yes 5!) Waterbeach players as he runs the length of the pitch. When he enters the penalty area we're all willing him to bury it for what would surely be goal of the season, but he passes to Pete who is so surprised he passes as well and the opportunity is gone. It doesn't take long for the next chance to come along and some good work on the left by Archie and James F sets the ball up for Cosmo to have a punt. His shot is blocked, but Alex M picks up the ball and dinks a short pass to Pete who smacks it past the goalie and it's 6-0.

The best is saved for last though. In the final moments of the match Owen disposses a Waterbeach midfielder and intelligently curls the ball out wide to James O on the right wing. As a Waterbeach defender slides in, James rounds him with Messi-like grace, leaves the second man for dead and, head up, drives the ball in the six-yard box. As David attempts a back heel, Tom nips in and stabs the ball into the net. What a classy move and a fitting way to round off the match. 7-0 and Seventh Heaven indeed.

 A cracking performance all round but especially well done to the goalies -  Alex S & M - who had to endure a rather cold afternoon with not too much action to keep them warm. With no other teams playing in the League that takes us back up to 2nd place ahead of next week's opponents Lakenheath on goal difference. I'm sure the goalies will be busy then !

Squad: Alex M, Alex S, Alex J, Archie, Pete, Cosmo, David, Leo, James O, James F, Henry L, Josh, Owen (Captain)

Scorers: Pete (3), Josh, Tom, Cosmo, Henry L

Man of the Match: David. Special Award: Pete.