With the disappointment of the previous week’s defeat, Green were away to Hildenborough Reserves looking to get their league aspirations back on track.

Green started as; Fennings. Sexton, CookG, Slade, Wood. Knight, Brooker, De-Kisshazy, Hopper. Rayfield, Bryce. Subs were Law, CookD, Stell, Young and Broad.

Wearing their lovely new kit sponsored by Rosewood Installations and Dovetail Carpentry, BGFC started brightly and the passing was crisp and full of purpose. The new forward pairing of Danny Rayfield and Rick Bryce looked very dangerous and were connecting well. The midfield four were supporting the front two excellently and there were numerous balls that put Green in behind the Hildenbro defence.

Green were able to break the deadlock when a nice ball down the right wing was pounced upon by Rick Bryce. On gaining control he twisted his defender and hit a wicked shot/cross with his left foot that curled into the far corner with Danny Rayfield on-hand to add a touch should it have needed it. A good start by the Green.

Green looked really assured and in control. The back four were getting the better of some dangerous forwards and the midfield were taking control of the ball. Wide men Aaron Hopper and Dan Knight seeing plenty of the ball as Mike Brooker and Pete De-Kisshazy were working hard to create the space needed to stretch the Hildenbro defence. The Rayfield / Bryce combo kept threatening and Green looked like increasing their lead with every attack.

With 20 minutes gone, Green did get their deserved second. A good ball forward by Graeme Cook was nicely controlled and played on by Aaron Hopper, this put Danny Rayfield clean through and as the keeper closed him down he hit the ball into the back of the net to make it 2-0.

Green still looked comfortable and all were playing their part, but Green’s dominance didn’t stop Hildenbro getting a goal back midway through the half. A good diagonal ball caught Green napping and the on-rushing winger hit a fierce shot across Rob Fennings to make it 2-1.

Despite the setback, Green carried on with the good play and stifled any chance Hildenbro had of staging a first half comeback. The midfield were passing well, the defence reading the game well and the forwards threatening the goal on many occasions. Green were then awarded a free kick on the edge of the box, and even though Bryce’s shot was blocked by the keeper, the quick thinking Dan Knight rushed in to tap home the loose ball to make it 3-1. Good reward for Knight who was impressing on the right.

For the remainder of the half Green were attacking at will, and their only negative was not closing down the ball when not in possession. As was the dominance of Green’s play that Pete De-Kisshazy was put clean through one on one after beating the high line off-side trap. With literally minutes to set himself and pick his spot from the wide gaping goal, 3 yards out he decided to take the easy shot to make it 4-1……OMG……he missed! He totally got his right footed shot wrong and the ball went nearer the corner flag than it did the goal! Gasps rang from the touchline; giggles from his fellow players; and a solitary call to Darren Cook from Paul Young on the subs bench…..”Please tell me that’s now THE worst miss ever! And it’s not mine anymore!”. With a positive response, Young summarised his feelings at seeing poor Pete taking over that mantle….”Sweet”.

Once Green had picked themselves up off the floor, they set about getting a fourth before the break. That duly came when another good Hopper ball found Bryce on the edge of the box and his first time powerful shot hit the back of the net with force to make it 4-1 at the break.

The second half was more of the same from Green and probably their over confidence was the reason they didn’t build up a large score line. Easy chances went begging and the drive had reduced partially. Although that being the case, Green were still by far the better team and totally in control.

They did gain another goal when a corner was swung in by the impressive Paul Young, and as the ball dropped at the feet of Danny Rayfield, he hit home for his second of the game and made it 4-1.

Green did have the ball in the net again but Ollie Stell was judged to be offside. Green should have been completely out of sight, but the game ended 5-1 and that was nothing short of what Green deserved.

MOTM? Really tough this week. Many had good games. Graeme Cook and Mick Slade played very well at the heart of the defence, showing their experience against some tricky and lively forwards; shouldn’t underestimate their contribution despite the dominant score line. Mike Brooker and Pete De-Kisshazy were combining well when Green had the ball, Mike in particular having a very good first half. Dan Knight out wide right was very effective also in the first half and created many opportunities for the forward pair to get on the ball, scored too. Up front Rick Bryce and Danny Rayfield combined perfectly. A bold move to put Danny Rayfield up front but it was evident to all that it worked. Both showed great awareness of each other’s movement and four goals between them is exactly what you want from your forward pair. This week’s MOTM goes to Danny Rayfield for his two goals and his work rate again upfront. Was a great link between the forward line and the midfield.