Casuals and Pelham FC 4 vs 1 Manuden Reserves FC

Casuals and Pelham continued their unbeaten start to the season by beating a full strength Manuden Reserves side at home 4-1. Pelham once again knew they had to keep up their winning run to keep the pressure on the rest of the teams, but also knew they couldn’t afford a slip up against a potential banana skin. The game itself started pretty cagey as both teams tried to get some decent play and team moves going. Manuden had thought they had broke the deadlock from a free kick whipped into Pelhams box, only for the defender who scored to be flagged offside, a let off for Pelham. After that Pelham started to create some better chances, with Tim Shaw getting in for a one on one, and Steve Callan testing the keeper, but the score line stayed at 0-0 at the half. Pelham came firing out the blocks in the second half knowing they needed to get the first goal and put themselves on the front foot. That goal eventually came as some good work from Steve Callan saw him cut a ball across the box for Sam Saunt to nip in front of the defender and tuck the ball home, 1-0 Pelham. That scoreline was doubled shortly after, with a clipped ball over the top of the back 4 from Dan Boyce was latched onto by Steve Callan, who tucked the ball in the corner, 2-0. At 2-0 Pelham missed big chances to go further in front, but instead missed those opportunities and picked the wrong choice to shoot rather than pass at the last minute and miss the opportunity to put the game to bed. Pelham were then punished for that as a corner kick was whipped in to the near post, with Liam Perry only managing to head into his own net, 2-1 and with Manuden now right back in it. Pelham needed a response fast and that’s exactly what they got, as only a few minutes later, Saunt got on the score sheet again to make it 3-1. Pelham then we’ll and truly put the game to bed finally as Steve Callan bagged his second of the game and Pelhams fourth, 4-1 to the home side. 4-1 is how it stayed and Pelham stay top of the league and keep the pressure on the teams below to pick up points themselves. Today’s man of the match goes to Sam Saunt who came on after half hour with big boots to fill replacing the injured Tim Shaw and bagging himself two goals and one assist.