A warm and sunny morning greeted Moor Mead Cosmos' latest home game of the season. Could Cosmos put last seasons lacklustre home form behind them at the start of the new season and bring the home crowd the win they desired? Ashstead Colts visit to the 'Marbles' would be a good test.
Cosmos started in a positive mood, defending well and keen to play the game in the opposition's half. Positive play resulted in 2 good shots on Ashstead's goal - surely a breakthrough would come soon? As it happened dogged battling down the right flank by Tye resulted in a loose ball in Ashstead's penalty area which Louis G. seized upon to score Cosmos's opener.
Cosmos kept the pressure on after Tom came on as substitute and scored two goals in two minutes, beating the goalkeeper both times shooting from seemingly impossible angles to put Cosmos 3-0 up.
After taking such a strong lead in the opening 15 minutes Cosmos seemed likely to clean up, but they had to re-focus after a long ball and some lacklustre defending resulted in a goal for Ashstead against the run of play. This served to remind Cosmos of the importance of keeping control of the game.
The second half started where the first ended with Cosmos playing positive football - moving the ball well and committed in defence and after a characteristically determined run, Leo set Louis up for his second goal of the match.
To complete a strong performance, Leo scored a well deserved goal from Jamie's assist before going off with a stitch. This brought Tom back on for the final few minutes. Jeramias played a great ball forward leaving Tom in space with only the keeper to beat and after a run in and finish of Vardy-like skill Tom cooly dispatched the ball into the back of the net, completed his hat-trick.
Overall an excellent display by Cosmos, with excellent performances all round. As ever, Harry, Josh and Jeremias were unyielding in defence, all three
displaying 'john stones esque’ distribution form the back. Tye battled hard in midfield. Leo made some probing runs causing Ashstead all kinds of problems. Jamie chased determinedly winning throw-in's and corners. Louis E and Max got stuck in winning the ball and chasing for all their worth, and as ever Kyle solid in goal.
The entire team played with genuine determination, some great positive passing, excellent ball skills and gritty defending.
Final result 6-1 to Cosmos - a strong result that bodes well for the future.