Sonning 5s marched onto the Abingdon’s home pitch wet but determined. This was a vital game since the 5s couldn’t afford to lose this match and risk dropping into the relegation zone. Wind-battered and a little damp, captain Grant Strudley stepped forward to call the toss. Heads- Sonning pushback.

The first five minutes proved that Sonning was the stronger side, ball possession was kept resolutely in Abingdon’s half, and the pressure up with strong hit hit-ins from Fordy playing at the top of the diamond and strikers Grant Strudley and Will King. It wasn’t long before Grant received an excellent pass from midfielder Simon Betson and promptly flicked it over the already prone body of Abingdon’s keeper. Down to soon!

1 – 0   Sonning

The second quarter showed no less resolve from the Sonning midfielders, as, determined to keep keeper Peter Argyll as bored as possible, they continued to harass the Abingdon defence without mercy. Abingdon managed to get several balls into the Sonning half from goal hits, but to no avail, with Jeremy “The Wall” Matheson going to ground with his trade mark “ground” tackle and sending the ball spinning back to be received by Will King. A few stick skills later, and King had passed two Abingdon defenders. Will confidently dribbled to just inside the Abingdon D-line, and took a smooth drag flick. Forced to kick the ball out right, the Abingdon keeper’s initial save did no good the ball was promptly retaken by Grant and again slipped coolly against the backboard to give Sonning a 2 – 0 lead.

2  -0    Sonning

The pace suddenly became so fast at this point that I can’t actually remember exactly what happened, but one way or another Grant ended up with the ball in the D for the third time that half, and, for the third time, gave Sonning another goal, pushing the 5s lead to 3 – 0. ( I think Warby had made a good pass in from the Abingdon backline)

3 - 0

In the third quarter, Simon Betson made an excellent run down the right wing, speed and determination proving too much for the Abingdon midfield. Simon passed down the line to Craig Strudley, who turned and made a cross into the the Abingdon box, a cross so terrific that all four of the Sonning players could only miss it, watching in awe as the ball went out for an Abingdon sideline hit. You can’t get them all!

Sonning intercepted the sideline ball, and with Ollie Morgan supporting from the back, the ball reached Will King. A hard sweep into the D looked like it was going wide, until it hit an Abingdon defender’s foot and richoched into the goal. “I’ll have that” said Will. And he did. 4 – 0 Sonning.

4 – 0

At this point, Abingdon started going more on the offensive, with a strong middle 3 who managed to reach the Sonning 25 line before hitting “the wall” and defenders Keven Mist and Steffan Johns. Steffan pounced on any stray passes from Abingdon, his ball control and hard pushes proving accurate time and time again. Midfielder Adam Garnett received the ball from a Sonning goal hit, and, using his superior pace, raced up the left line before making a pass to Sam Molina on the wing. Sam only knows one stick skill and he used it, flicking his way past a couple of backs before making sweeping the ball into the Abingdon area. At this point the ball was lost in a blur of sticks and players, with about 5 Abingdon defenders and 4 Sonning players desperately looking for clear possession. One way or another, the ball rolled out to the left, to be picked up and hit accurately, if somewhat shakily into the Abingdon backboard by Sam Molina to lengthen Sonning’s lead to 5 – 0.

The last 10 minutes were tense, with a well aimed strike from Abingon’s centre forward causing Peter Argyll to concede his first goal. Well couldn’t let them go away with nothing now could we?

5 – 1

The final minutes dominated by Sonning as had been the case throughout the match. When the final whistle blew, Sonning gave a hearty cheer to Abingdon for a good clean match and trooped back to the changing rooms, soaked but satisfied with another solid performance.

Result: 5 – 1  WIN