After another 4 week gap in our season due to the Lovely British spring weather, the Shipley boys showed up at home for a Midweek game with the chance to show again why they sit top of the table and are there to stay.

With some players away on Holiday and our Manager Nigel too, the boys knew that there was going to be a bit of shuffling with Positions and playing time to make sure all of the players got a decent run out today. We had Mase returning from a long stint on the sidelines with a injury and the Debuts of Ethan and Freddie which had been long overdue!

The boys started as if they had never missed a game, on the front foot from the start and within the first couple of minutes we could of already been 3-0 up. Stephen, filling in at RM for us, was played through by Kieron, finished past the keeper but was flagged offside. After looking at the VAR, i can confirm he was on! Unfortunately ruled out.

This seemed to gee the boys up and shortly after, Mase and Sam combined well down the left and won a corner, which Lewis stepped up to take. Lewis whipped in a beaut of a ball which was flicked onto the back post where Stephen was Lurking and Finished First time with the outside of his boot into the back of the net! 1-0 after 4 minutes.

It was going to be a theme of the evening, Shipley taking the game to Southdown and the pressing, passing and team work was outstanding from every single one of the lads.

A few close chances followed with Kieron, Lewis and Sam all having sighters at goal and were unlucky not to find the back of the net.

Dean had an outstanding game at LB and was clearing everything coming down the Right side of the attack and on one instance, he found a pass into Sam in the middle of the park who picked out the Run of Kieron. Kieron drove at the defence, pushing them back into the box before trying to find a pass out to Stephen. This was cut out by the defence and bounced back to Kieron who set himself and finished with aplomb past the Keeper.

The boys were showing their class on the grass and could of easily scored another 3/4 in the next 10 minutes but a mixture of great goalkeeping and some slightly below finishing kept the score at 2-0. After 20 mins there were the first bout of changes with Jack, Dan and Wesley coming on.

Within a few minutes of coming on, Dan and Dean were playing some great football down the left and creating chances, winning several corners and trying to play Wesley through. A long clearance was picked out of the air by Dean and played into the midfield, Jack took it in his stride and played a through ball to Wes to battle the defender for. Wes out muscled the defender and dribbled past another before finishing from the most obscene angle through the keepers legs into the far corner. A well deserved goal!

A few minutes later, Cam won the ball on the right and played a quick 1-2 with Charlie before winning a throw high up the pitch. Stephen and Wes were switched on and took a quick through into the Southdown box with Wes finishing past the Keeper on the half volley!

The D & D Combo on the left continued to cause problems for the Southdown defence and after Dean set Dan through, Dan held off the defender and put in a great shot that bounced off the keeper into the defender who couldn't get out of the way and deflected the ball into the back of the net!

HT TD - 5- Southdown -0

Into the second half and the changes rang again with Toby stepping into the CB role and Ethan coming in at RB for his debut. Freddie H also came on for Luke in Goal to make his debut as well!

This didn't disrupt the Shipley Flow and within 25 seconds of the second half, a corner was won and as it was cleared out, Sam claimed it and played a pass into the path of Captain Jack who hit an absolute THUNDERBUGGER of a shot into the far left corner! Unbelievable scenes Jeff! (Sky sports Joke ;) )

The Shipley boys continued to push and control the game with D & D linking well for the next 10 minutes and Toby, Ethan and Dean snuffing out any sign of Southdown attacking.

Changes were made again after 10 minutes and Mase, Kieron and Lewis came on for Sam, Dean and Stephen. A switch in formation too gave Dan and Mase the chance to overlap on the left, Lewis to have some freedom on the right and Wesley and Kieron run the defenders ragged!

A mixture of poor finishing and some brilliant goalkeeping again kept us from scoring but after 50 minutes, the pressure seemed to break Southdown and from a goal kick, Lewis won the ball and Drove forward finishing with a wonderful strike with the outside of his right foot into the back of the net!

A few minutes later, a similar story with Lewis winning the ball just outside of the area and playing a lovely ball through to Wes who kept his composure and finished with a great strike to get the Hat trick.

FT TD - 8 - Southdown - 0

A Fantastic performance from every single one of the boys, Once again showing why we are top and deserve to be there! A massive well done to all of our Debutants and the boys coming back from a bit of a gap in the season!

MOTM- Dean Roadley- Another dominant display at the back from Dean, creating so many chances, keeping the back line in shape and helping Mase and Dan in front of him too. A shout out to DAN and Lewis who both ran their socks off today for the team!

Have a wonderful Easter Break and look forward to the next game at home against Cuckfield.