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WESTMINSTER CASUALS 5
OLD PLYMOUTHIANS 1
Saturday 12 December 2009, SSEC Division One
AT THE DOUBLE: Ollie It was the joy of six for the Westminster Casuals as they made it six wins from six at Richardson Evans to re-establish their six point lead at the top of the Division One table.
A brace from skipper Ollie Harker Smith - a trademark header and a Figuerola-esque 45 yard free kick - were made all the more impressive considering he is about to go under the knife for another knee clean up.
But being the selfless super-hero he is, Captain America was keen to extol the virtues of his teammates rather than comment on his own heroic contribution.
"This team performance was what playing for the Casuals is all about and really showed the calibre of individual and the ethos of the club at its best" he said.
"I thought on the field we played in a style, manner and attitude that should be the standard moving forward, and we thoroughly deserved our victory and three points that will keep us on top over Christmas.
"We have played more games than all our title rivals so will face a battle to retain top spot in the New Year but 25 points from 12 games is a decent haul and the challenge is to keep improving.?
Having drawn 2-2 at Old Plyms in October the Casuals expected a stern test and a slightly re-jigged line up saw Gaffer Skel start up front alongside Chesney Hawkes lookalike Nico Heslop. The Casuals put the previous week?s heartbreak at Tooting Bec behind them by starting brightly, gaining the ascendancy.
The pattern of the game soon became Casuals on top, with the visitors looking to strike on the counter attack.
After half an hour the deadlock was broken as a Sam Holder corner was powered home by Harker-Smith. One became two when Holder curled in a brilliant free kick from the left hand side of the box.
Just before half time the Casuals found themselves 3-0 up when Ollie's long distance free kick sailed over the Plymouthians keeper into the back of the net.
After some wise words at half time the Casuals knew that complacency would be the only thing that would prevent them from taking maximum points. Within minutes of the restart a superb run and shot by left back Russell Hughes crashed against the underside of the bar and Davey McIntosh was on hand to pick up the pieces to make it 4-0.
Five minutes later, and arguably the goal of the game came via Holder?s hairy right foot. After some patient ball retention John Skelly found the Hobbit in space on the right. The man from Middle Earth accelerated into the box and calmly chipped the keeper for his 5th goal of the season.
With 20 minutes to go OP gained a consolation, much to the annoyance of the back four, when their lively forward swept the ball home from 15 yards after a mis-cleared corner.
Assistant Manager Dave Brain said: "All in all, a clinical day at the office for the boys, particularly satisfying after the previous week?s disappointment.
"Even with a couple of regulars away we were still able to field a strong squad of 13. If the home form can be replicated away from Richardson Evans then
silverware beckons."
Old Plymouthians report:
League Table:
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