After a four week break the Chopbacks were back in action away to Mountfield Utd on Saturday in the league.

Before the match, both teams observed a minute silence for fellow squad member Will Rist who lost his partner over the holiday period, our thoughts go out to him and his family during this very tough time.

Midway through the first half Brad Owens had gambled on a loose ball by the corner flag and took on four players before crossing for JJ Beaumont to strike in off the post to open the scoring.

Ryan Fuller sustained an ankle injury near the end of the half and had to be replaced by debutante Eduard Czeller.

With barely a minute left on the clock before half time Czeller wriggled his way past two defenders and struck low and hard at the inside post where the keeper made the initial save but couldn’t hold onto the ball as it slipped through his hands and rolled into the net.

The second half started in explosive fashion as the Chopbacks were hungry for more goals.

Connor Smith picked up the ball on the half way line and ran through three defenders before releasing the ball for Czeller to strike, the keeper managed to save but only for the ball to fall into the path of Tyler Smith to tap home the easiest of finishes.

The Chopbacks switched off defensively and a minute later gave away a penalty which Mountfield dispatched to bring the score to 3-1.

A few minutes later Smith was at it again, this time playing a long diagonal ball through the centre of the Mountfield defence to find Smith who had to take a first touch to avoid the on rushing keeper and then was able to tap home.

Czeller continued to be a menace and while running into the box was taken down for a penalty.

Lee Finnigan gracefully gave up taking the penalty for Smith to score and get his hattrick which he did just that.

The final score ended 5-1 to Chopbacks on what proved to be a very testing playing surface.

After the game, Sam Cook said: “I’m so proud of the lads today, we had no recognised centre backs today and a couple of players were out of position but everyone dug in and did what was asked.

The pitch was very boggy and not what we’re used to but by the second half you never would have guessed that”

Man of the Match
Connor Smith

Goalscorers:
JJ Beaumont (25)
Eduard Czeller (45+1)
Tyler Smith (59, 67, 85 Pen)