Ollie Hat-trick Rocks Bottisham

Okay, first match of the New Year and a chance to put the disappointment of the last couple of games behind us and make a real statement of intent for 2009. Bottisham are having a middling sort of season. They have won 2, lost 3 and drawn one. The draw was a high-scoring 6-6 aginst the Strikers where we lost a 6-4 lead in the last quarter. The manager Duncan is confident and looking forward to a high scoring romp. The rest of us are wonder how we can keep warm in the freezing wind and, oh no!  -  it's starting to rain... Oh, to be basking in the Californian sunshine like some people we know...

There's a good turn out of parents and the ref sensibly gets us off to quick start without too much messing about. NST are quickly on the attack with Oliver and Mark working well down the left. Matty S is striker and nearly gets an early chance. As Bottisham counter, Joe breaks up the attack and clears to Matty P on the right wing. Matty spots Matty S who's dropped deep on the left and switches the play. Matty S quickly slots the ball forward to Oliver who goes rampaging through the Bottisham defence and burys the ball in the back of the net. 1-0 to NST with only a few minutes gone.

Bottisham are quick to respond however and tie down our defence for a good while with Mark and Joe fully employed keeping them at bay. Matty S has a great burst through with a shot well saved; but mostly it's all hands to the defensive pumps with Bottisham trying to pin us down in our own half. Joe is performing miracles in defence but eventually the pressure tells and Bottisham nick the ball in midfield and race through to score 1-1. However, we show great "bounce-back-ability" and are soon back pressurising the Bottisham goal. Some terrific work by Oliver and Matty P goes unrewarded, but with Mark scurrying around midfield like a terrier we know the tide is going to swing our way. Both goalies turn out some great saves to keep the score 1-1 at the end of the first quarter.

The final quarter kicks off and you might be wondering why George hasn't had much of a mention. Well, we've saved the best til last ! The gaffer has given George a run up front as his defensive duties have not been too taxing. Living up to the No 10 on his back George is hanging round the goal like a pro and spotting the opportunity from Alex's throw-in, he darts across the box leaving his marker for dead. Swivelling so the ball comes over his shoulder George blasts it into the roof of the net in what can only be described as a flash of genius and that makes it 1-8. There's more to come. Jake and Joe stream forward after a Bottisham attack. The ball is moved to Oliver out wide on the left. He cuts inside and Oliver finishes emphatically for his brace and 1-9 to the Strikers. That's the last strike of the match and a great result for NST. Commisserations to Bottisham who battled pluckily despite the score and played fairly and with good spirit throughout.

Squad: Jake, Alex, Oliver, Alex, Tommy, Mark Matty P, Matty S, Joe, Ed, George, Jake, Ollie
Scorers: Ollie (3), Oliver (2), Jake (1), George (1), Alex (1), Tommy (1)