Boys' 1st XI v Manchester GS

Date:  Tuesday 24th November

Venue:  Home. 2.15pm kick-off on The Square

Team:

Carr, Fearn, Golding, Sanderson, Evans, Moxham, Byas, Graham, Duggan (C), Chilaka, Gorman

Sub: Mullen

Result:  Repton 7-2 Manchester Grammar School

Match Report:

You sometimes have days when everything just clicks. We started the game at a good pace, knowing that MGS were also in the last 8 of the Boodles ISFA Cup and expecting them to be a stern test. It was clear from the first few minutes that we looked comfortable and settled on the ball. We were knocking the ball around as well as we had done all season and playing fast one and two touch football that was bound to bring chances. When the chances started to come we took them clinically. The first goal came as Johnny GORMAN hit the bar and then reacted first to the rebound to tuck home. A second followed almost immediately as Luke Duggan won the ball and sent in a testing ball that the central defender cruelly headed past the 'keeper. A wonderful chest and turn saw Ndu Chilaka play a perfect ball in for GORMAN to made it three and he completed a fine 10 minute hat-trick when he beat three players before sliding home the finish. Manchester, who were understandably shell shocked, rallied to pull a goal back before half-time. However, the scoring wasn't finished as Sam GRAHAM raced through to nick it past the 'keeper and roll home, despite the best efforts of two MGS defenders.

The second half was more even as Manchester clawed their way back into the game. That said, we looked like scoring more goals as we started to attack in waves once again. Some wonderful skills from Gorman saw him set up CHILAKA for a cool finish and, although MGS pulled another goal back CHILAKA raced clear to slot home his 23rd of the season.

Some of the play today was just outstanding and this was truly one of the best performances I have seen from a Repton team in recent years. We worked hard, passed well and finished our chances with incredible reliability. Make no mistake, MGS are a good side who had been beaten only once before today. However, on this form we look a match for anybody on the circuit.