FREDS HIT SPARTANS FOR TEN AT ALFREDIAN PARK

Alfredian Park was home for sixteen happy hoops on Sunday morning. It was a flash performance from players in the mood to party. There was a stylish rhythm about the Freds going forward. Matthew Lambe and Harry Howard hustled and Matthew Goodman, centre stage, danced in crowded spaces.

Every Alfredian played a significant role in an upbeat drubbing of the Spartans. It was nothing short of a greek tragedy for the aptly named visitors, who suffered early on when Jonny Hall weaved his way through the numbers and nudged the ball over the goal line. Joe George added a second with a long range hit from the channel. Luis Hill's drive then bounced between Hitman Hall and a hesitant keeper, and the prolific goalscorer punished the indecision to head over the stopper.

George Santacana-Melvin linked effectively with Matthew Lambe on the right. Joe George and Harry Howard linked effectively on the left. Quality exchanges and good decision-making opened up the channels and softened the centre for Jonny Hall.

Summertown did carry a threat, but some brilliant man-marking by Jacob Haines and intelligent cover by Stan Herbert held the core, whilst Luis Hill and Will Beynon looked after the channels and provided good cover in the centre when needed. Goalkeeper, Lewis Jordan busied himself with goal celebrations of the flying aircraft kind!

The Freds continued to raise their own standards after the interval. Jonny Hall raced away from his marker and squared for Joe George to pounce and punish. The two combined again to deliver a carbon copy for anybody that missed the first work of art. Joe George then struck the post, but George Santacana-Melvin reacted first to the rebound to score.

Ed Porter switched with Harry Howard and made a strong contribution. His no-nonsense and direct approach ensured the hoops continued to drive forward. Nat Haddon took the baton from Will Beynon on the left and carried it well. Tom Todd replaced Joe George on the left and Harry Buckland stepped into Jacob Haines' boots. Buckland continued the good defensive work, and almost added to the goal tally, climbing well to go close with a header.

Will Nicol changed places with George Santacana-Melvin and weighed in, scoring from close range. Will Nicol then accepted an invite from Matthew Lambe to receive short from a corner. The winger cast his right boot and delivered bait for Jonny Hall, who was angling for his hat-trick. The Freds target man rose like a young salmon and powered 390 grams of inflated leather into an expectant net. Hall scored a fourth in a similar fashion to his opener, and Tom Todd who had already threatened, added a tenth!

It was a mature performance. The midfield held their shape incredibly well and worked tirelessly as a group. Good positional discipline in the channels helped tremendously to create space in the core. Excellent feed and follow allowed Freds to build attacks when a more direct approach wasn't on.

Defensively, it was an impressive display in decision-making, knowing when to delay and when to squeeze.

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