[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A masterful performance from dynamo magician, Drew Thomas, helped propel his team into the latter stages of the Roger Stone Memorial Cup earlier this week writes Aaron Brennan.
It was a cold evening at The Creek, but this didn’t stop the Young Farmers from putting on a show, despite having to be patient and well-organised in the opening third of the game.
In the first 25 minutes, Chard Town pressed high up the field, in attempt to create attacking opportunities. Their forwards looked to drive with the ball, with the midfield providing a supporting role. As they have done so often this season, though, Bristol Manor Farm Captain, Stenner, and centre backs Courtier and Pickering, defended diligently and simply refused to allow Chard Town through. They were well supported by Williams, who linked up impeccably with Jenkins out wide and also looked to transition the ball into midfield to push his side onto the front foot.
Having remained composed under early pressure, as time moved on, the Young Farmers started to dictate the terms of the game. In the 31st minute, Pollinger, who is in the form of his career, did well to cut out a Chard Town through ball and subsequently played in talisman, Jenkins, who fired at goal. To the Chard Town goalkeeper’s credit, he made an excellent save, but couldn’t keep out Jenkins for a second time, as he smashed the ball into the roof of the net. 1-0 Manor Farm.
In the 41st minute, McCarthy made an overlapping run and Turner did exceptionally well to find him, curling the ball into McCarthy’s path with a well-weighted pass. McCarthy was ruthless, squaring the ball immediately to Jenkins, as he clinched his second of the game. 2-0.
In the 45th minute, Thomas lit up the pitch, when he evaded his marker to play a one-two with the dangerous Mead, before playing a reverse pass to find Jenkins, who showed his class with a magnificent strike from 25 yards to leave the Chard Town goalkeeper with absolutely no chance. 3-0.
There was no let up from the Young Farmers and in the 58th minute, Turner and Cummings did incredibly well to win back the ball, making two strong challenges in succession to hold off the Chard Town counter. Having recovered shape, Cummings then showed great poise to send the Chard Town midfielder the wrong way, before releasing the ball to the versatile Jenkins, who scored his first goal of the game when he fired the ball across outstretched visiting goalkeeper.
As the game progressed, devastating forward, Mead, moved into top gear as he scored two goals in three minutes. The Chard Town back line simply had no answer to his pace and and close ball control. His first goal came as he outmanoeuvred the Chard Town full back, before cutting inside and slotting the ball past the Chard Town goalkeeper.
Mead’s second goal was spectacular. Thomas, who was dictating the pace of the game in midfield saw Mead curve his run and so floated the ball into his path. On-side, and having beaten the Chard Town centre back for pace, Mead half-volleyed the ball into the top corner. 5-0.
Another two goals followed quickly, with Jenkins securing his third and fourth, as the Young Farmers extended the lead further. Ponsillo needed just eight minutes to bag a brace, have entered the game late from the bench, helping to secure an emphatic victory for the Home side.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]