Won 5-1
Scorers: D.Upton, B.Lawford, O.Neal, F.Holland, P.Sharratt
MoM: Joint award: James Hodson and Nirpal Saraon
DoD: Not awarded.
With thanks to team sponsor MMil http://www.batchelorcoop.co.uk
The Batchelor-Coop Millers entertained Folkestone this week, as well as a small number of travelling fans (that’s you Brian) who had made the long journey to AW2.
Folkestone started well, with a high press and putting the home side under pressure, little knowing that this is exactly the kind of high-octane environment in which the Millers thrive. With ten minutes on the clock, a Sharratt shot-cum-pass (it was generally agreed to be going ‘well wide’) found Barnes near the baseline who passed to the back post, for Dave Upton to slot home. 1-0. Ben Lawford doubled the lead within the next five minutes but, when asked, declined the use of any superlatives to describe it. 2-0. The visitors were still looking lively on the break, but half-time arrived with the score-line safely intact.
The skipper used the interval to reminisce about the part he played in Mark Batchelor winning the top goal-scorer award: his bullet-hard, laser-guided crosses being the determining factor. And so we move quickly on to part two of the drama.
The Millers knew that the next goal would be crucial to avoid giving the opposition hope; up stepped Mr Dependable, Ollie Neal, with a cheeky goal at the near post, following a lovely set up from Sam Stroud. 3-0. However, Folkestone were still pushing hard and they got their reward, shortly after this, with a fine reverse strike from one of their young forwards. 3-1.
Freddie Holland was on hand to restore a three-goal advantage, when he pounced on an Ollie Neal assist (the provider described it thus: ‘fine use of indoor skills and a bounce pass off the far post’). 4-1. The icing on the cake, however, was a Paul Sharratt straight-strike-special, which dispelled idle rumours surrounding his waning short corner prowess. 5-1.
A good competitive game, played in the right spirit and thanks to both Phil and Dicon for umpiring. The ‘Deep-Heat man of the match award’ was split, seven votes a piece (and one abstention), between James and Nirpal.