vs Meppershall Jurassic (H)

Devonshire Arms Line up:
GK: Jeff Udoh
RB: Nick Hurd
CB: Stevie Hall
CB: David Brooks
LB: Arthur McMurray
CM: Isaac Okyere
CM: Richie Fenn
RM: Jason Williams
LM: Terry Hall
CF: James Matthews
CF: Dan Fisk
Subs: Andy Norbury

The Devy were eagerly anticipating todays game, there last outing against Gloucester Arms had been a huge disappointment and they were looking to bounce back in style, the teams had met earlier this season, Meppershall running out 3-2 winners in a close fought contest.

The team had a familiar look about it, the back four were as normal and with another good performance today they could well make the positions their own, the midfield was back to normal with Isaac returning from injury, Dan and James were starting their first game up front together.

Meppershall started the game with only nine men in the pitch but the numbers were soon evened out after only a few minutes, neither team could put there mark on the game early on, the Devonshire were looking most threatening out of the two and this domination soon told, a good move down the right involving Jason and Dan saw the ball played across the face of goal, Terry was rushing in at the far post with an open goal in front of him, after a brief miss-kick he regained control and tapped the ball in, almost a nightmare for Terry but he finished it in the end, Devonshire Arms 1-0

A good start by the Devy, no more then they deserved. Meppershall were not getting a look in up front, Brooks was winning everything in the air against his much taller opponent and Stevie was doing likewise next to him, Arthur was not putting a foot wrong at left back, another solid display.

More good play from the Devy midfield soon led to a second goal, Richie and Isaac were playing very well in the middle, after a good ball through James hit a shot towards goal, his first effort was blocked but not his second, a good strike straight into the net, Devonshire Arms 2-0

A good performance from the Devy so far but they had to guard against complacency, Meppershall were a tall side and were posing a real threat from corners, the Devy defended well as a team and kept a clean sheet, so far.

James was having a great game up front and things were only about to get better, receiving the ball outside the Meppershall box, he took a touch, saw the keeper off his line and hit a brilliant lob, over the keeper and into the net, great play. Devonshire 3-0

Every Devy player was battling really well, great performances all over the pitch, Isaacs knee was holding out and Dan was playing well also, and he was soon rewarded for his efforts, good play by Jason on the right saw an 'undefendable' cross played in, Dan was unmarked and struck a good shot low and hard into the far corner, a great finish, Devonshire Arms 4-0

With half time approaching the Devy were content to shut up shop and just waste away the remaining minutes, but Terry had other ideas, very good build up play from Isaac, Dan and James resulted in a ball back to Terry who hit it low into the net, the keeper had no chance, Devonshire Arms 5-0

This had been a great half, brilliant performances from all eleven players, this was the Devys highest scoring half of the season, would the second half be able to match this?

Half Time

Steve was running out of superlatives at half time, everyone was playing well and his main instructions were for the defence to keep a clean sheet, Jeff had very little to do in the first half, but we had done, he did well.

Meppershall had nothing coming forward so far, the defence were standing strong and there hadn't even been a shot on target, Terry and Jason were tracking back very well to snuff out any threats, Arthur and Nick were not letting the wingers into the game at all.

The second half started as the first half had finished, the Devonshire going forwards looking for openings, well on this occasion James made an opportunity himself, beating two players on the left he cut inside and broke into the box, he beat another player before being cruelly bought down, the ref had no hesitation, PENALTY, Stevie was the normal penalty taker but with James on a hat trick he passed the responsibility over, James stepped up........ GOAL! He coolly sent the keeper the wrong way and slotted the ball into the unguarded half, brilliant play again. Devonshire Arms 6-0

This was turning into a rout, great performances everywhere, Terry was playing well on the left and almost had his hat trick, a good long drive hit the post and came back out. Nick at right back was having his best game for some time, winning everything that came his way and more importantly keeping possession, he almost got his name on the score sheet too, but his shot was pushed wide.

Another player playing at his best for some time was Dan, laying on assists and getting in on the score sheet himself. Dan was soon to score his second, he won a tackle on the edge of the box and sent the now despairing keeper the wrong way, a good clinical finish, Devonshire Arms 7-0

Everything was going the Devys way, Richie and Isaac were getting plenty of time on the ball in the middle and were also passing the ball well, Terry was playing with confidence, beating people and also creating chances, Stevie and Brooks were very strong at the back, winning everything in the air and distributing well, Stevie almost scored but saw his header go just over.

Richie had had a couple of chances to get on the score sheet and he had a glorious opportunity when he went on a mazy run of his own, nutmeging the last defender, but just as he was about to pull the trigger the ball took a bobble and he ballooned it over the bar. Very unlucky, he just wasn't going to score today.

The only sour note so far for the Devy was a terrible challenge on James which saw him having to be substituted, Andy replaced him and went straight up front.

The Devy hadn't scored this many in a game for some time, but it was about to get even better, a good move in midfield saw Richie play a brilliant ball out to the right to Jason, Richie was caught late but a good advantage was played by the ref, Jason was through on goal, he hit a low powerful drive into the far corner, no chance again for the keeper, Devonshire Arms 8-0

Meppershall had two good chances late on, Brooks stopped one with a last gasp challenge and the other chance saw the striker stumble and fall, when he really should have scored.

The Devy had been lethal in front of goal and it could easily have been more, Andy blasting a powerful long range drive just over near the end. A brilliant display of free flowing football, all twelve players were superb today, no weaknesses anywhere, eight goals and a clean sheet, someone wake me up!

Final Score - Devonshire Arms 8 (eight) - Meppershall Jurassic Sunday 0

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