The Shoemakers kicked off their 2007/08 campaign with a trip to Walthamstow to take on the Orienteers. This was the fourth meeting between the two sides with the Shoemakers winning the three previous meetings 8-1, 7-0 and 6-0. This was also the 99th fixture to be played by the Cobblers Fans Team!

The visitors in white kicked from left to right in the first half (from where our supporters were standing). Leyton Cobbler was amongst the small crowd on the touchline who had eagerly awaited the start of the season (or had nothing better to do on a Saturday morning), but they were to be treated to another goal fest.

Early chances fell to Martin Holmes and Ant Collett, the latter chasing a lost cause from a half cleared corner and forcing the keeper into a save. With barely five minutes played, Holmes opened the scoring with a neat lob over the keeper from Sean Bellham's through ball.

More chances came for the visitors, Rob Ellam shot just over and Chris Marriott's free kick almost nestled in the top corner. On the quarter hour mark the second goal arrived, Sean Bellham raced clear of the Orinteers' defence and finished low into the bottom corner.

Again more chances came the Shoemakers way, Mark Kennedy forced a good save from the keeper after being played in by Luis Pereria's inch perfect through ball and Rob Ellam's effort from outside the area was pushed away by the keeper. At the other end, Ben Trasler was on hand to make a point blank save when the defence had been breached, but the attacking play at the other end was rewarded with a third just before half time. Martin Holmes chased down what looked to be a lost cause following a misplaced pass from Chris Marriott, he took the ball away from the keeper and squared it for Sean Bellham to tap into an open net.

The second half began as the first ended and within minutes Martin Holmes added a fourth, getting on the end of a long ball from Steve Marley and sending a low finish into the far corner. Seconds before Ant Collett almost scored following a neat one-two between himself and Mark Kennedy, but his shot was inches over the bar.

Sean Bellham completed his hat-trick following a neat move. Rob Ellam found time and space in the box for three consecutive shots, all brilliantly saved by the keeper, the ball broke to Mark Kennedy on the edge of the six yard box, he laid it back to Ant Collett who crossed for Bellham to powerfully head home.

The Shoemakers were really enjoying themselves now, but the home side still created chances, twice forcing Ben Trasler into saves and one shot going just just wide of the post. The sixth goal did arrive, Sean Bellham played a one-two with Rob Ellam before placing the ball into the bottom right with just the keeper to beat.

In the dying minutes Sean Bellham scored the seventh, Mark Kennedy headed a clearance through the middle and Bellham lobbed the keeper from 35 yards. He became the first player to score five in a fans team match involving the Shoemakers.

Team - Ben Trasler, Ant Collett, Steve Marley, James Averill, Mark Kennedy, Rob Ellam, Chris Marriott, Tom Robinson, Luis Pereria, Martin Holmes, Sean Bellham. Sub: Michael Harrison

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