vs Caldecote Young Boys Res (H)

Disclaimer: All information in this report may not be entirely accurate as to be honest I can't remember how all nine goals were scored and in what order people scored them in! David Brooks, our regular match report writer, was unable to do one this week so here is my best shot at it.

So here we are again, the start to a new Sunday League season, what we've all been waiting for. Yes getting out of bed was hard, but this is what Sunday League is all about. Pain. Well usually it is. Not today though.

We faced Caldecote Reserves who were in the same league last season. We had a couple of good results against them so we knew we had a good chance of getting off to winning start to the season. With only one pre-season friendly under our belts and with a new look team, the big question was how we were going to all gel together.

Not only was it the first game for some of our new players but it was also a first game in charge for the new gaffa, Andy. We need not have worried as within 5 minutes we were ahead with James getting the all-important first goal. 1-0 Devonshire Arms.

We looked dangerous from the off and were creating a lot of clear-cut chances. James, Russell, Sam and Dan were causing them all sorts of problems and they couldn't handle the pace we had on the wings. We had to wait a bit longer for the second goal, this time it came from Russell, who was making his competitive debut for the club. 2-0 Devonshire Arms.

The defence was looking fairly tight and Caldecote failed to cause many problems, with only the number 14, playing off the front two, really causing any problems. Just before half time however, Caldecote gave the team something to think about when they hit back with a goal. It was a shame as the team was playing well and one lapse of concentration cost us. 2-1 Devonshire Arms.

The Devy continued to create chances but some casual finishing meant that we were going in at half time with the game well and truly in the balance.

HALF TIME

Some changes from Andy at half time saw Gareth come on for Dan upfront and Gary swapped with Simon in the middle. Both were making their debuts for the club so it was going to be interesting to see how they fitted in with the team.

The Devy started brightly and were closing down and hassling Caldecote a lot more. We continued to create chance and it wasn't long before Gareth made the perfect start to his Devy career, finishing to restore the two-goal advantage. Devonshire Arms 3-1.

Now we were flying and the added movement upfront as well as the wing play was continuing to cause Caldecote all sorts of problems. Richie was doing a fantastic job in the middle, getting his foot in to break up any attacks from the opposition. It got even better when Gareth added yet another goal. Devonshire Arms 4-1.

Gareth was now on a hatrick and he'd only been on the pitch 15 minutes! Unbelievable stuff. Surely this game was over. Caldecote offered very little and the Devy were starting to score for fun. Not so though, as Caldecote managed to fashion some room inside of the box and get a shot off. The player totally miss-hit it however but this was only to their advantage as it wrong-footed Stevo at his near post and crept in. A lucky goal for Caldecote but the defending could have been better. Devonshire Arms 4-2.

Caldecote really shouldn't have been in this game but the Devy were determined to get all 2 points. We stormed forward and went further in front yet again with new boy Sam scoring on his debut after missing some earlier chances. It was what he deserved and what the Devy deserved. Devonshire Arms 5-2.

It didn't stop there, Gareth, hungry for goals, sealed his hatrick to put the game well and truly out of sight. Devonshire Arms 6-2.

Russell, who was tiring in the second half made way for the 'new little J' who slotted in on the right wing. This was turning into a rout. Caldecote's heads started to drop as frustration kicked in. Brooks and Mike were looking especially solid in the middle, the defence generally looking strong and they were determined not to concede again. Instead the Devy added to their goal tally with James getting his second of the game. Devonshire Arms 7-2.

What a start to the season. The goals were flowing and were being spread throughout the team. Another new boy, Gary, also making his debut then compounded Caldecote's misery by teasing the defenders then goalkeeper, delaying his shot, feinting to shoot before finally cheekily dinking it in for number 8. Devonshire Arms 8-2.

This looked like it might make double figures for the Devy, surely we would go top of the league with this score line. Just to make sure though and make it a debut to remember, Gareth completed his scoring, grabbing his fourth and Devy's ninth of the morning. Devonshire Arms 9-2.

Final Score - Devonshire Arms FC 9 - 2 Caldecote Young Boys Reserves

Devonshire Arms Line up:
GK: Steve Howe
RB: Jason Williams
CB: Mike Davis
CB: David Brooks
LB: Nick Hurd
CM: Simon Hall
CM: Richie Fenn
RM: Russell Boltryk
LM: James Matthews
CF: Sam Queeley
CF: Dan Fisk
Subs: Gareth Arzu, Gary Rose, Jason Stonebridge, Andy Norbury, Liam Vorley

To report a correction of information or to send any comments or reports please email info@devonshirearmsfc.co.uk