An impressive start for The Onetouchables has sent shockwaves through the entire league, after a breathtaking display of football left the Red Team wondering what on earth had just happened to them.
This may have only been a friendly, but there were certainly a few nerves around pre-match, mainly regarding the issue of whether or not shin pads would be required. However, The Onetouchables settled into their stride much more quickly than anyone could have imagined. The warning signs were obvious from a very early stage, as Warnett and Johnson combined well to cause some real havoc in the opposition half. Their efforts paid off as the ever reliable Joe Johnson soon netted the first ever Onetouchables' goal, sparking celebrations on the touchline. A new era had begun, and everyone's favourite consistent midfielder had grabbed the goal.
Warnett was proving to be a real handful for the Red Team, and soon netted a trademark strike, smashing a shot in from outside the area. The dream start had reached Inception-esque levels, and at 2-0, The Onetouchables were looking comfortable to say the least. The Red Team were failing to mount any real attacks, and looked slightly rattled, though Cairns did well to turn one effort around the post just before half-time.
Some half-decent management was leading to a good spine of the team being formed whilst the squad was being rotated, as Compton, Johnson and Cass all put in very solid shifts at the back. Cairns meanwhile was organising his team superbly from goal, with some furious shouting leaving several players close to tears at many points. Cairns himself was dealing with most attacks with ease, and he'll feel that there will be tougher challenges to come.
The Reds grabbed a goal back with a well-worked move, leaving many to wonder whether the game was about to be turned on its head. However, in reality, the Onetouchables looked more up for it in their debut game, and quickly resumed their onslaught of the Reds' goal.
And indeed it was soon 3-1 as Conquest's scuffed shot fell kindly to Purdy, who slotted the ball in with his usual cool and relaxed demeanour. Purdy turned with a satisfied smile to the fans, knowing that he had just silenced hundreds- if not thousands- of critics who still doubt this young man's ability. He then promptly fell way off the pace and offered a minimal contribution, but the joy was plain for all to see.
A lack of sharpness seemed to be affecting several members of the squad, as O'Connor and Conquest both missed one-on-ones, but O'Connor almost made up for it; combining with Compton for easily the best move of the game, as their glorious one-two resulted in the right post being rattled. Compton was also involved in one of the more controversial moments of the game, as Purdy opted to shoot, rather then square it to his far better placed team-mate. Compton's quiet fury was plain for all to see. Conquest's one-on-one caused bemusement in the stands, as he seemed to have created the space for the shot, only to switch it to his other foot and be immediately surrounded by four defenders. Still, the potential seems to be there.
The rest of the game played out without much more incident, Cass and Johnson especially looked calm and collected on the ball, and Warnett and Compton were both still causing problems. In fact, the real talking point on the sidelines was questioning where O'Connor had got to, as he seemed to teleport away for the majority of the second half. The final whistle arrived soon enough, signalling a great result for this new side.
Sam Compton quickly retired from five a side football after the match, claiming to have opportunities abroad, but he leaves with one of the most impressive records in the game. Whether he can be persuaded out of this hiatus come Christmas remains to be seen.
Acting manager Luke Sutton was full of praise for his side after the games, claiming that they were one or two players away from being a truly great side. 'Yeah once Purdy and Conquest leave we should be fine,' he commented. Sutton was quiet on his own return, noting that his notorious ANKLE injury should only keep him out for 'a few weeks, or potentially years.' Joe Cass meanwhile is 50-50 for next week as the interest on the loan he has taken out has made the chances of him being able to pay the match fee next week 'unlikely at best'.
Overall a great start for this fledgling outfit, and hopefully the start of something truly beautiful. The mood was perhaps best summed up by the face of the spying Josh Goodey, whose face was as white as a sheet. Despite the outward smiles, it was obvious to all that Goodey had just realised that he'd seen a side that is only going to get better and better.
Onetouchables 3-1 Red Team
Johnson
Warnett
Purdy
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