MGBSFL DIVISION THREE
NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS C 8 FAITHFOLD C 2
NLR C showed the rest of the league that the prolonged winter break has had no adverse affect on them as they played a poor Faithfold side completely off the park in their push for the Division Three title.
Norstar have frustrated their fans with notoriously slow starts, but not today. 3-0 up inside 20 minutes and there was really no way back for Faithfold after that. Some scintillating football from the boys in Orange carved Faithfold open time and time again and but for some smart saves the woodwork, Norstar could well have had double figures.
Norstar took the lead after a through ball found Oli Nathan who coolly beat the Faithfold keeper. One became two when a stunning leap from Jonny Samuel saw the Norstar skipper score his first goal for the club as his header went in off the bar. Norstar put the game to bed when Will Ufland beat the keeper with a good shot.
Norstar let their foot off the gas after that and some careless defending allowed Faithfold to pull one back through Dan Gordon. However, the Oranges restored their three-goal cushion before the break when Daniel Polak picked up the ball in his own half, dribbled towards the Faithfold goal before playing Oli Nathan in down the right, who's pull back to the edge of the box was rifled in on the half volley by Polak, excellent technique and a goal well worthy of the entrance fee.
Four became five in the second half when a cheeky finish from Jamie Weinrich saw the striker net his ninth of the season. By now Norstar were really enjoying their football and got their sixth when Ufland turned home a ball from the impressive Dan Tan.
Adam Rosenthal, playing in an uncustomary position, scored a great seventh when his shot from the edge of the box went in off the post. That was to be Rosenthal's last touch as he left the pitch after getting injured in the process of scoring.
Despite being down to 10 men, Norstar continued to press, in the knowledge that the league may well be decided on goal difference and Ufland made it eight and scored his third hat-trick for the club in just 15 matches (appearances approximate) with a cracking left-footed strike that left the keeper motionless.
A late goa for Ben Simon was no more than a consolation for Faithfold and did not dampen the mood at Brunel.
A really impressive and professional performance from the Oranges, who continue to be simply unplayable, especially at home.
