Men's 5s continued their Scott Cup table topping form with a 2-1 win at home to Div 9N newcomers Romsey 4s.

The game started with a new look M5s under pressure from an experienced team that had played together for some time. Stout defending from the back four of Dave Ellis, Dave Houston, Jack Child and the skipper saw us repel their attacks with keeper Matthew Pryor having his usual strong game between the sticks. When we did attack Arthur Gent Eggett was our stand out player, often turning the Romsey defence in knots and winning numerous free hits and a couple of short corners. Midfield of Sam Logan, James Edwards, Jake English and Matt Coleman worked hard, but our play lacked a little pace and shape as we made it to half time all square.

A couple of positional changes saw Joseph Corps come on at left half with Sam moving to left back, and the team suddenly started using all the players on the pitch as we made some excellent passing moves finally resulting in Clive Harder feeding Arthur in the D and him passing the ball across a stricken keeper for Matt to do 'an Arthur' and apply the final touch for his first league goal !

This galvanised the team and we played even better, with Riley Morrisroe gaining confidence to pass the ball as well as dribble with it and and the whole team moved the ball better with every move as Romsey tired and committed men forward. A quickly taken free hit in the final 23 saw Arthur dribble the ball in to the D, and then slot the ball home off a defender's foot as umpire Simon Islip played an excellent advantage.

With under 10 minutes left we stood firm and could have stretched our advantage, and with Dave Houston being outstanding in the centre of defence it took until the final 30 seconds for Romsey to get a consolation goal.
The team started uncertainly but grew in confidence as the game went on with the most important element being the way everyone trusted one other to pass the ball to the player in the best position to receive it.

MoM went to Arthur, but Dave H or Matt P could easily have taken the honours. No DoD because frankly no-one deserved it.
Thanks to Simon and James Abley for their umpiring, what was a fast paced, strong but very well tempered encounter.