Gunners overcame lowly Reading Piranhas with a comfortable 6 - 1 victory. It was an eventful start for Reading Piranhas when a disgruntled (ex)girlfriend turned up and dumped one of their players possessions on the pitch a moment before the game started. To be fair to the player concerned, did stay and play football!
Gunners took an early lead when Bill Maslin was fouled in the box and he just managed to squeeze the penalty home past the keeper.
Gunners then added a second through Marcus Randles who made up from last weeks own goal with a close range shot. He was heard to say "that puts me back to neutral" as he celebrated his goal.
It was mostly one way traffic with Gunners dominating possession. Gunners had many chances to score but were not clinical enough in front of goal.
Reading Piranhas were limited to a long ball from their keepers long kick and this only really caused Gunners a problem when we did not attack the ball.
Paul Marten nearly added his name to the score sheet when he made a charge for goal and was one on one with the keeper but he failed to lift the ball over the keeper.
Gunners also had numerous other chances and half chances before Paul Stout added a third goal with a great worked moved which saw Lee Gallaghers fine pass played up the line, the ball was then played across the face of the goal by Iain Peer to Paul Stout who hammered the ball home from close range. The half time score was 3-0 to Gunners.
In the second half Gunners made a very sloppy start which saw Reading Piranhas score an early goal after a defensive mix up gave the opponent a tap in from close range.
Bill Maslin made the game comfortable when he was alert enough to pick up a pass from Paul Stout and finish from inside the box. Paul Stout then picked up a booking for a foul on the opponent (it didnt help that he made some comment about the players girlfriend dumping his clothes on the pitch either!)
Towards the end of the game Paul Ali made a late burst and added a couple of goals. Paul Stout set him up on the first when the played him through on goal and Paul finished from close range after rounding the keeper. He then added his second when the ball was played back to him from a corner kick, he dribbled past an opponent to the edge of the box and sent a curling shot in over the keeper.
The final result was a comfortable 6 - 1 win despite an average performance. Paul Marten was "Man of the Match" for a good game closely followed by Richard Alderton for a tireless performance.
Match Facts
MOM : P Marten
Goals : B Maslin (2), Pa Ali (2), M Randles (1), P Stout (1)
Team
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