Goals: C. Palms (2), Whitto
MOTM: Lloyd – rock-solid debut at centre-back
by Gavin Warren
The lads were back in league action on Sunday, despite a couple of late dropouts with Quig and Stamp both ruled out. New signing Lloyd stepped straight into centre-back, and the gaffer dropped to the bench to provide cover.
We started brightly, controlling the game and keeping the ball well. Patience in the build-up was key as Hemmington sat deep with plenty behind the ball. Their keeper pulled off a few good saves early on, while Whitto caused problems up top, using his strength, holding the ball well, and linking nicely with the wide players who were getting in behind and delivering danger into the box.
It took until the 25th minute to break the deadlock. Clifton was brought down just inside the 18-yard box, and up stepped C. Palms to smash the penalty into the top corner. 1–0.
Defensively, anything Hemmington offered was mainly long balls over the top, but the back four stood firm. Despite it being Lloyd and D. Palms’ first match together at centre-back, the partnership looked solid. Carter continued his excellent form in the squad at right-back—he hasn’t put a foot wrong since joining—and Alton had a steady game on the left, always looking to get forward.
Our second goal came on 35 minutes: a brilliant ball in from Bailey found Whitto at the back post, and he nodded home a well-deserved goal for his first-half work rate. 2–0 at half-time.
We made a couple of changes at the break—Mannion on for Clifton who took a slight knock early doors and Diksa on for Sav, who’d worked tirelessly.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with us creating chances but not quite finding the finish. On 60 minutes, Whitto was brought down and we earned another penalty. C. Palms stepped up again, this time drilling it low and hard into the corner. 3–0.
More changes followed: Whitto off for Ridgeway, Bailey off for Sav, Betts off for Clifton. We could’ve added a fourth—first from a Palms corner that Ridgeway just missed, then another set piece that fell to Diksa before being cleared.
With ten minutes left, Alton made way for the gaffer, who went out on the left with Mannion dropping to left-back. Five minutes from time, the gaffer slid a perfectly weighted ball through for Palms, who made a diagonal run into space. Instead of hitting it first time, he cut inside, allowing the defender to recover and block the shot.
The final whistle went: 3–0, three points, a clean sheet, and we move up to 2nd in the table.
Goal scorers:
C. Palms
Whitto ×1
MOTM: Lloyd – outstanding debut at centre-back, didn’t put a foot wrong.