DECEMBER 31ST, 2016
THE GLOBE ARENA - MORECOMBE (8TH) V BOREHAM WOOD (11TH)
"Ok boys, i'm sure you don't need me to tell you, our form recently has been nothing short of diabolical- we've won 3 of our last 10 games, and it's honestly, not good enough - i'm expecting to see much better performances out there today. I've given some of you the opportunity to really show what you can do, too - because clearly the team i've been putting my faith in aren't good enough."
My gaze met that of Kiye Martin - a free transfer last season who had previously come through the youth ranks at Crystal Palace. Kiye had spent some time on loan at Bishop's Strotford last season, but now, I was ready to put full faith in the kid in the centre of our midfield, Andy Rimonhota would be moving forward to play at attacking midfield, and Kiye had the chance to show me what he was capable of. He knew it, too, nodding back at me with steel in his eyes.
"Go out there, and show these fans what they're paying good money to come and see!"
It didn't take them long to show what they could do. Luke Howell's 9th minute throw was picked up by Kiye Martin, just outside the area. The 19 year old played a smart ball back outside to Howell, who's cross was cleared from the 6 yard line by Parrish, but only as far as Conor Clifford, who turned it back towards Martin about 30 yards from goal. Kiye looked up, and shaped to shoot - my hands went to my face, the kid couldn't hit a barn door from 30 yards - but instead he sold the defender a neat dummy, and slipped the through ball to Andy Rinomhota, just on the edge of the D. He flicked a neat ball up and over the defence to empty space, which was promptly filled by an onrushing Lisandro Semedo. The Cape Verdean winger made no mistake, lashing a powerful volley into the net to give us a 1-0 lead after just 10 minutes.
We were dominant from then on, and doubled our lead on the half hour - Kiye Martin again picking the ball up just inside the Morecambe half, and brought it forward, beating a defender with a beautiful dummy before knocking the ball to Rinomhota, who again made a chipped pass look easy, finding Harry Cardwell on the edge of the box. The Scot turned on a sixpence and stroked the ball into the back of the net for 2-0.
Our 3rd goal came just before half time. Morecambe lined up a free kick just inside our half, and the long ball came into the box, but was met by the calm head of Fridjonsson, who cleared well, with Rinomhota, who was flourishing at attacking midfielder, collecting the ball. The younster carried the ball almost the length of the pitch, beating two Morecambe defenders who had stayed back at the free kick, before squaring the ball. The cross beat everyone in the box, but was collected on the other side by Pifarre, but he lost control, and McGowan cleared for Morecambe. Scott Doe intercepted on the half way line, and pumped the ball back towards their box, where it found only the feet of Devitt, who lost out to Rinomhota. The ball came forwards again, with Kiye Martin picking out Luke Howell on the wing, and when Semedo flicked the cross on for Rinomhota, the midfielder collected his reward for an incredible performance, with a backheeled shot for 3-0.
The second half was an exercise in passing, mainly, as neither side threatened to score, until the 88th minute, when Lisandro Semedo played a great cross from a free-kick, which was met, unbelievably, by the head of a diving Kiye Martin, for his first
ever goal for the club. He sprinted the length of the pitch, and headed straight for me, screaming his thanks the whole time. My heart was bursting with pride - I was realising very quickly that here was a player who would give his blood, sweat and tears for our club, as he picked me up in a hug a grizzly bear would be proud of.
Full Time came, and we were 4-0 winners - a perfect set up for the next 5 months of the season.
HARRY CARDWELL 13', 34', 42'
