The London Branch footy team are starting to put our early season woes behind them, as a 4-1 win over fourth-placed El Patio Doors saw us bounce back from last week’s unfortunate 1-0 reverse to Las Nuevas Maradonas. The reasons behind all these trendy Spanish team names are unclear, as most of the players we come up against are more Cockney than continental.
Well-earned post-match beers at The Jolly Sisters pub
There was definitely an optimistic feeling before kick-off, as we were finally able to field last season’s top scorer Alistair Wilson in the same team as midfield dynamo (and this season’s top scorer) Adam Cansfield. Jaxon Allen and Anthony Connolly provided the width, with Ben Littledyke and Thomas Cansfield shielding stalwart Andy Jordan in goal. Sunderland started like a team on a mission, winning possession early doors and refusing to give it up, and it felt inevitable when A. Cansfield seized on a defensive error to give us the lead.
A second goal from Wilson was harshly ruled out, but the big striker would not be denied, as he rose to head a beautiful cross into the back of the net to give us a two-goal cushion. El Patio Doors had an impressive record coming into this game, but they were unable to get a foothold in the game, and Sunderland’s composed possession saw them chasing shadows. Connolly grabbed a third just before half time to put us in a commanding possession, but as with all things SAFC, nothing is ever over until it’s over.
As anticipated, the opposition came at us with a renewed sense of purpose in the second half, but Sunderland weathered the storm. A smart stop from Jordan crucially kept the deficit at 3-0, before centre back T. Cansfield added a fourth from close range to put the game beyond any doubt. El Patio Doors grabbed a consolation late on from a deflected long-range effort, but the game was never in any doubt, and the Branch claimed a crucial three points to continue our recent revival.
Slowly climbing up the table...
Anyone interested in joining the Branch football team should register their interest online at www.weardownsouth.com, or contact Ben Littledyke at ben.littledyke@gmail.com, or via WhatsApp at 07501 076 770.
Comments