Shoemakers 6-0 Orienteers

On Saturday 7th April, the Shoemakers made the trip to East London for the third fixture with the Orienteers. Shoemakers had won the previous encounters 8-1 and 7-0.

The game began on a warm Easter Saturday on a pitch that was bumpier than Northampton Market Square and it was the visitors who went on the offensive. Despite large amounts of possession, the Shoemakers could not find a goal to reward their dominance. A host of missed chances and brilliant saves from the keeper prevented a breakthrough.

Anthony Collett thought he'd scored, but his shot was well saved by the keeper and rolled along the line, but the long awaited goal finally arrived on the half hour. Richard Fletcher headed home a trademark Chris Marriott long throw for 1-0.

Minutes before half time it was 2-0, Anthony Collett knocked down Chris Marriott's centre and Richard Fletcher was on hand to stab the ball over the line from less than a yard.

The second half began where the first left off for the Shoemakers and their dominance lead to a classy third goal. A neat reverse pass from Lloyd McDonald slid through to Martin Holmes who coolly flicked the ball over the keeper from just inside the area.

It was 4-0 on the hour, Martin Holmes crossed for Steve Marley and his cross shot found Mark Kennedy at the far post, who stabbed the ball home at the second attempt after the keeper had made a good save.

Marley then grabbed a fifth with 15 minutes remaining, a neat far post finish after being played in by Chris Marriott and the scoring was completed by Rob Ellam in the late stages, the midfielder picked up the ball 25 yards out and drilled a shot into the top corner leaving the keeper helpless.

Shoemakers keeper Ben Trasler made a world class double save in the closing stages to maintain a clean sheet and keep the gloss on a comfortable victory.

Team: Ben Trasler, Ant Collett, Steve Marley, Simon Sidwell, Mark Kennedy, Ian Errington, Rob Ellam, Chris Marriott, Martin Holmes, Richard Fletcher, Lloyd McDonald, Dave King