Three-scoring Indie continue Opening Day Trend
FCI 3-0 Highfield (J.Florit, Williams x2)
Venue: King George V Date: Saturday 21st September 2013
FCI Line-Up, Bookings & Substitutions
N.Hussey (Beardshaw - 45) P.Smith Draper (Whitfield - 45) Neave Preston
Regular (Pyle - 73) Goddard (Ford - 62) M.Lakeman (Sent Off - 80) J.Florit R.Lakeman Willams Substitutes
Beardshaw Whitfield Ford Pyle
FCI’s league campaign started win a strong victory this morning, brushing aside Highfield 3-0, who have now conceded 3 goals in all 3 of their opening fixtures.
A dynamic pairing of M.Lakeman & Regular provided the creative and energetic hub for the home side, whilst R.Lakeman and J.Florit provided width from the flanks. Indie were unchanged at the back and up top, with the only other change being Goddard in for Ford.
Much like last week's encounter, the first half was far less memorable than the second. Despite an attacking dominant display, FCI failed to find their feet in the final third and Regular, J.Florit and M.Lakeman all went close without putting the home team into a first half lead.
J.Florit had a chance around the half-hour mark to fire his side into the lead, having cut in onto his stronger left foot from the right flank, but his tame shot was easy for the visiting goalkeeper. Florit was again involved when Regular's diving header couldn't find the target from the former's quick corner, but it was M.Lakeman that went closest, rattling the post from 20 yards.
George Draper was again withdrawn at the break for the second week running as he continued to nurse a suspected broken toe, but his departure from the field of play provided Joel Whitfield with the chance to achieve his home debut for the second '45. Beardshaw was also handed his debut in goal, trading places with current #1 Nathan Hussey.
Defender Paul Smith summed it up well, post-match, when he retrospectively declared FCI as a "second-half team" and it was much the case in this encounter, as a quickfire double saw the game put to bed within ten minutes of the game restarting.
Pulling the attacking strings from the false 9 role, Arthur Goddard perfectly weighted a defence-splitting through ball to the right that winger Jordan Florit latched on to, before cutting inside his marker and drilling his shot across goal to open the scoring for the home side. FCI 1-0 Highfield.
Succeeding in not making the same mistake again, FCI quickly doubled their lead instead of sacrificing it, as Goddard, again, instigated another FCI attack. With a through ball to the right, the attacking midfielder, played in J.Florit, who was beaten to the ball by the oncoming 'keeper, who could only parry it back into Florit's path. The winger lined up a powerful shot at an empty goal and Ryan Williams was on hand to divert the shot into the net. FCI 2-0 Highfield.
Shortly after the lead was doubled, Goddard made way for Ford in a like for like swap, but a frustrating ten minutes ensued for the home team. Highfield did manage to get the ball into the net, but only through divine intervention. Rightly, the goal was disallowed for handball after a Maradona inspired finish.
With the score at 2-0 and FCI in total control, Regular made way for Jon Pyle, who was making his first appearance since the last game of the previous season, following a prolonged ankle injury. This allowed Neave to step up into the midfield for an action packed advanced role.
Within 5 minutes of his role alongside M.Lakeman Neave had already given J.Florit a new lease of life down the right wing. It wasn't long before their link-up would start a goal-scoring move.
Winning the ball on the halfway line, Neave lofted a pass onto J.Florit who showed his marker down the line and then inverted his run to play a cross-field ball to Ryan Lakeman. R.Lakeman, brought the ball down and sought the run of his brother, who diverted his oncoming pass with the faintest of touches into the run of Williams, who struck the ball first time and found the opposite corner of the goal. Fluid, total football. FCI 3-0 Highfield.
There was to be one more slice of action, though. As Matt Lakeman turned back to his own goal, a needless challenge came in from the Highfield midfielder and in a pang of agony M.Lakeman released a torrent of expletives that led to his dismissal ten minutes from time.
The game was comfortably seen out by the home side, however, with Beardshaw and Whitfield both making impressive debuts in the second-half.
Full-time - FCI 3-0 Highfield
FCI’s season opener ensured they continued their trend of unbeaten starts to seasons, following a 1-1 draw to Heartlands on the opening day of last season and a 6-0 win the year before.
Man of the Match - Jordan Florit - 14 points.