FC Village 3-2 New Dock
07/10/06 - League

FC Village remain the only unbeaten team in Div 2 as they earned a famous win over old rivals and last seasons third division champions New Dock. For this league match the Village apart from Ritchie had a full strength side to call upon and for once had the luxury of naming 3 substitutes. Manager Steve surprisingly opted for the ‘Chelsea’ formation as he flooded the midfield which meant that Sweeney and Maggott were down the wings supporting Colin whenever they could. And it worked a treat as once again the Village were to dominate the first 45 minutes but this time they didn’t let things slip. They probably their best football of the season in that first half as they tore apart the New Dock defence time after time down the wings and were well worth their three goal lead when half time arrived. The opening goal arrived after about 20 minutes when after a free kick that wasn’t cleared properly the ball was played back in for Colin to head on to Maggott. He turned and seeing the goalie off his line expertly lobbed home to give them the lead. A good goal but that was bettered by the second when Colin put Sweeney away down the right and he raced clear to cross for Cottier to hammer home a great volley. Two up and looking really good the Village were playing some excellent football as the midfield dominated leaving the three forwards the freedom to cause the New Dock defence numerous problems. Just when it looked as though this could be a repeat of their last home game when they were cruising and then let it slip the Village scored that crucial third goal right on half time. Once again it was M.O.M Sweeney who did the damage as he raced clear down the right and sent over a cross which Colin bundled in at the far post for 3-0. The half time talk was to say well done but keep things tight for the first ten minutes after the restart. Unfortunately for the Village the visitors came out determined to put in a better performance and they certainly did as they put the home side on to the back foot. They were thrown a lifeline five or so minutes in when Nic was adjudged to have jumped all over a forward at a corner kick and the ref pointed to the penalty spot. Up stepped the Dock centre forward and his effort bobbled home to reduce the arrears. It now appears that the Village play their best football in the first half of a game and for some reason unknown yet struggle during the second forty five. Having conceded that early goal they now knew it was going to be a long hard slog to secure the win that first display deserved. The New Dock certainly gave it a go but never really troubled the Village defence and Jay in goal was rarely threatened even though most of the play was in the home half. Down at the other end Sweeney felt he should have been awarded a penalty when he appeared to be shoved off the ball but the ref waved play on. Then with some 20 minutes left the visitors thought they were going to make it when some slack defending allowed a Dock forward to slot home his second of the game to reduce the arrears to just one goal. Minutes later the Village had their best chance of killing the game off when Colin robbed the ball off the Dock keeper out by the corner flag and crossed for Cottier. He looked as though he was going to shoot but slipped it sideways to Maggott and his goal bound shot was somehow blocked on the line and cleared away. The final few minutes were somewhat tense as the Dock let their frustrations get the better of them and they were reduced to ten men. One of their players went way over the top with a tackle on Nic which probably deserved a straight red but the ref only gave him a yellow and then found that it was his second of the game so he had to go anyway. Moments later it was all over and the Village had hung to record the win they deserved overall and now find themselves the only unbeaten team in the division but facing a massive game in their next encounter as they take on local rivals Future Youth.