County visited Beals on Saturday. The game after the Xmas break, which is always a tough one. Bellies were bulging and players were puffing in the warm up. Not great signs! Never the less, attitudes were spot on and the lads had a desire to remain top of the league.

A strong squad of 13 was available.

County started with a 4-5-1 formation looking to continue our strong recent form and way of playing.

A confident start saw us keeping the ball and playing across our back line. On a couple of occasion we nearly over played but got lucky and escaped. Don't overplay!

First 10 saw good chances fall to Scott Neville, Steve Fahey and Kieran Mbala. A little more clinical and we could have been 2 up.

Playing some good stuff we deservedly took the lead on 14 minutes. The ball found its way to Steve Fahey 20 yards out. After earlier testing the keeper, he had no problems second time around. 0-1

On 17 minutes a County corner found Luke Kelly unmarked 4 yards out but he header soured over. What a miss!!

Two minutes later and we went further ahead. Great pressure form our front players put Beals back line under pressure, forcing a misplaced pass to the feet of Matt Wright, who finished well. 0-2

Next 10 minutes we applied more pressure with Beals only offering anything when we gave them the ball.

Then on 32 minutes we let Beals back into the game. From a corner Alex Molloy came to claim, getting two good hands to the ball, he then dropped it straight onto a Beals player, who was on floor, hitting his foot and going in. 1-2, Oh dear.

This spurred Beals and they began to apply some pressure but very little end product.

A couple of half chances then followed.

44 minutes in and County were awarded a free kick by the corner flag. A Cam Wallis free kick was floated to the near post and a Steve Fahey near post run and glancing header beat the on rushing goalkeeper. 1-3

HALF-TIME 1-3

Kicking off right to left County needs to keep things tight and keep apply the right pressure.

On 52 minutes a fine save from Alex Molloy, after Luke Kelly lost his man. kept our 2 goal lead.

55 minutes - Sub Mason James on for Scott Neville

Key chances fell to Mason James and Steve Fahey, either missing the target or seeing their efforts saved.

65 minutes - Sub Julian Boadu on for Matt Wright
Changing formation to a back 3 with wingbacks and 2 up top

Immediately our formation and play pushed Beals back and suffocated their forwards, who lost interest, as our dominance grew.

We then spent the next 20 minutes dominating play. Chances came and went, even Neil Spackman had a half volley chance but he ballooned it over. Fitness started to play a part and apart from another great save from Alex Molloy we deservedly won.

FULL-TIME - 1-3

A decent performance and win the game after Xmas break is what you want. A very dominate second half, if only we had been a little more clinical this could have been a much healthier win. Still top!
Note to our defence, playing the ball across our back line shows confidence, stretches the oppo, creates holes and looks good but we need to be conscious of when we have overplayed and release the ball forward.

County (4-5-1): Alex Molloy, Tom Tinneny, Neil Spackman(c), Luke Kelly, Bradley Doherty, Cam Wallis, Steve Nichols, Kieran Mbala, Matt Wright, Scott Neville, Steve Fahey.
Subs - Mason James, Julian Boadu

Referee: Robert Ryan

Attendance - 3

MoM - Kieran Mabala - An all round midfield performance. Making that spot and shirt his own!

Donkey - Alex Molloy - Dropping an easy one, to the strikers feet, who is on the floor and he scores!