Gunners earned a comfortable win against Purple Turtle although it was close until the last 15 minutes. A much changed around Gunners side saw the return of Andy Birch after injury and a new look defence. Gunners reverted to a 4-4-2 formation with Bill and Iain leading the line.
The first half display was poor, Gunners were second best to the ball and could not find any momentum going forward. Despite a couple of chances it was Purple Turtle who looked more likely to score and eventually took the lead from a soft goal.
Gunners made their substitutions early in the second half and this seemed to give the team a bit more momentum. Matt Rees pulled a goal back from Gunners after finishing from close range and then added a second with a point blank header after a flick on from Iain Peer.
The Gunners defence was much better in the second half winning most loose ball and restricting the opposition to a couple of chances.
Gunners seemed to make the game safe with twenty minutes to go when Paul Stout added a third after another assist from Iain Peer. However, Purple Turtle gave themselves a lifeline when they made it 3-2 after scoring from a free kick which was deflected of the wall and into the goal.
Gunners responded well and Paul Stout added a second (assist Matt Rees) and by this point Purple Turtle ran out of steam and started to make errors in defence. Gunners took advantage and added a fifth through Iain Peer and a Steve Tranter rounded it off with a sweetly struck free kick which he curled around the Purple Turtle wall into the goal. There were a number of good performances from Carl Littlechild and Lee Gallagher but "Man of the Match" went to Matt Rees.
Match Facts
MOM : M Rees
Goals : M Rees (2), P Stout (2), I Peer (1), S Tranter (1)
Team
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