Bookham 2 - 0 Windlesham & Lightwater

Bookham started the game with Josh in goal as usual, however the back for was slightly changed due to the injury to Dave Fuller. So Bookham started with Chris Gibbons, Ben Steel, Alex “Angus” Ranger and Jon Kendal at the back. Alex Ball returned to the side, after his absence last week, to play alongside Ted Smith in centre midfield. Bookham opted to start with Liam Openshaw in an advanced central role, with Rob Lamey moving out to Left midfield and Matt Mole in his usual right midfield spot. Meaning, once again, the evergreen Jeremy Crute started up top.

Bookham started the game shooting up the hill and against the sun. This was not a good half of football to watch, with Bookham seemingly coasting in second gear throughout. Windlesham & Lightwater tried to use the hill to their advantage, playing the long balls over the top, without really carving out any opportunities. Josh was solid in goal as ever, with a commanding display and plucking out the high balls to avert any danger. The lack of energy in the Bookham side was evident throughout the half, with Bookham failing to create too many chances of note. The energetic Ted Smith had a shot from the edge of the box zip just wide, whilst Chris Gibbons had a long range effort dip just over the bar.

At the half time whistle, the players will have expected a few harsh words from the manager, Jez, given the performance so far. After a 10 minute explanation of what has gone wrong so far, how we could improve and why Matt Mole’s face was letting everyone down, Bookham re-entered the match a noticeably different side. Rob Lamey started the second half back in his more familiar central role, with Liam Openshaw moving back out to the left.

With the much needed increase of tempo, Bookham piled on the pressure early in the second half. The first goal came, with Liam Openshaw’s shot being blocked, only to fall back to Liam’s feet, which spilled to Matt Mole to pull the trigger, only to see his shot cannon off the post to be pounced upon by Bookhams geriatric goal machine, Jez Crute. 1-0 to Bookham.

Bookham maintained the high intensity, with Alex “Angus” Ranger and Ben Steel continuing to defend the long balls, Kendall and Gibbons provided the width from full back and Ball and Smith bossed the midfield.

After a nice move down the left flank, Kendall found Rob Lamey in space in the middle, who played a ball through to Jez Crute on the edge of the box. Much to the disbelief of everyone in attendance, Jez Crute unleashed a ferocious shot from the edge of the box, leaving the keeper with no chance, smashing into the net off of the underside of the crossbar. Bookham 2-0 Windlesham & Lightwater

Liam Malone and Joe Cluer was both introduced to the fold, in place of Matt Mole and Rob Lamey. Both getting themselves involved in the game quickly, Malone was played in down the right by Openshaw, only for the defender to recover in time, whilst Cluer’s run was not picked out by Openshaw, who instead opted for the wrong pass when Cluer would have been clear on goal.

At 2-0 Bookham continued to dominate, however eased off the intensity slightly. Windlesham & Lightwater continued to launch the long balls forward, however not really managing to muster a shot to worry Josh in goal. Josh, despite not really having a challenging save to make, had a noticeably solid game, commanding his box and with his distribution.

Bookham really should have extended their lead further, most noatably through Jez Crute, who from a wide right angle opted to shoot rather than square the ball to any one of his three waiting team-mates. However, with this in the dying minutes of the game and with Jez on for a hat-trick, we can forgive the selfishness on this occasion. Can’t we?

The game ended 2-0 to Bookham, leaving Bookham in a strong position going into the last 2 games of the season. Now needing only one more victory to win the league.

Bookham also extended their 100% record of wins in games that Dave Fuller has not featured. But we don’t talk about that!

Man of the match today was Josh Grinter, as his control of the area and distribution kept Bookham flowing at times.

A special shout out though to Ted Smith, who was a hero today. A true Box to Box midfielder and leader among men. The bearded central midfielder was reminiscent of Gattuso in his prime. If only we had a team full of Ted Smith’s, this league would have been won months ago.