It was a cold wind, nope, it was bitter wind that blew across the pitch reminding us that whilst some things in the world do change, Southlands isn’t willing to give up it’s mantle of the coldest & wettest place in Britain just. That fine rain fell, the one that gets you wet. Some early morning predictions ensued with John (the bookie) getting closest again with a shout of 2mins.

1st Half
It was in fact only 20secs (but John was nearest). Charlie opened the scoring .1-0
The Appley net rattled again on 1m but the ref gave offside. So Charlie stayed on side a minute later to plant a second. 2-0
The Appley keepers heart sank a further 30secs on when Charlie took his hat trick. 3-0 in less than 2.5mins ….awesome.
Greg felt left out and banged one in on 5 mins to make it 4-0. Villa won a couple of corners on 7 & 9 mins and then the Villa took a break, from scoring that it is. In the next 15mins they had no less than 12 shots on target or just slightly past. With a brilliant display of football they simply terrorised the Appley midfield and back four.
Villa won a corner on 25mins and as if to rub it in Charlie took his fourth with a flying back heeler from the corner.5-0. Appley made a break 3mins later and they scored with a very well taken shot. 5-1 on 28mins. Smithy came off and Kyle came on 29mins.Jamie A who had just been pushed up onto the right wing decided to restore the dominance and scored on 30mins 6-1.

Half Time 6-1
George & Dave were happy, deliriously happy, not just with the score but the play from back to front, the communication and with the effort. A smile warmed their otherwise frozen faces. Tom G was replaced by Will at the restart.

2nd Half
The second half was different with Danny joining Sam, Alex & Kyle at the back. Appley made a great start and packed the midfield with bodies …kicking at anything that moved. Villa won a couple of corners on 9 & 11mins but it was Jamie G who restored scoring ways on 15mins. 7-1.
Jamie A came off for a breather and Steven went onto the right wing. Villa lost a little shape at this point but it was intense pressure from Appley that made them this way. Appley should be applauded because they never gave up. On 28mins Greg stepped up to hammer home an 8th. 8-1.
2mins later Charlie took his 5th of the game and made it 9-1 on 30mins.
Will & Kyle came off and Jamie A & Smithy came back on.
Greg scored on 31mins .10-1 Charlie on 32mins .11-1 Tom M scored on 33mins. 12-1
And Smithy finished the days scoring on 34mins 13-1.
The move of the game was on 33mins when Smithy casually being attended to for a loose boot lace, perched one hand on his dad’s back, back heeled the ball onto a calling and fast paced Sam who ran the length of the field to cross for what was ultimately Tom M’s goal. Class, Smithy, class (Tony, don’t claim you told him to do it, you had no idea ha ha)

Full Time 13-1.
Villa were awesome and it’s at this point that we need to recognise the back five. Alex strong as ever, Tom G supporting and the two face visionary’s of Sam & Jamie A. They cut out everything today, they played with each other across the park, gave Tom M & Jamie G support & time to play the ball forward and when Danny & Kyle joined Alex and Sam it wasn’t anything different. It was delight to watch, the passing, the running, the effort, the finishing but most of all the communication & covering. Ryan M had little to do but when he did he did it very well giving the boys time to re group and never looking ruffled, on a bitterly cold day that’s a result in itself.

Well done, I might even buy a ticket next week if you’re going to be that good and I don’t do that even at the Reebok!