A magnificent performance and result against Langton Green Spartans, coming back from 2-1 down at half-time to win the game 6-3. This against the team that beat us 7-0 in our first ever league game. Those who stayed at home to watch Everton drawing 0-0 with Crewe will probably be regretting it now.
We didn't play very well in the first half, but we probably had as many chances as Langton Green. Langton Green went ahead when they nutmegged Jamie Hards in goal. Jake Wesley equalised after good work on the left by Michael Ide. But we fell behind again to a goal that was a carbon copy of the first. Martin Hill suffered a recurrence of a hamstring strain and wasn't able to run for much of the match, but he kept going for the sake of the team, as we had no substitutes.
We started the second half strongly and when Jamie Wickham brought us level at 2-2, we dominated the game and rarely allowed Langton Green out of their half. Eventually the pressure paid off and Michael Ide put us 3-2 up. Then Greg Byrne got our fourth with a great shot from outside the penalty area. Langton Green struck back almost immediately and just when I was expecting a nervous last five minutes Michael Ide went on a great run and scored the fifth goal. He had already done enough to merit the man of the match award, but he capped his performance by completing his hat trick.
A great team performance, with outstanding individual performances: Jamie Hards making some important saves, Tom Ryan a terrier at the back, Greg Byrne battling in midfield, and Michael Ide terrorising the Langton Green defenders. |