Richmond (h)

Staines 4-0 Richmond 2s (H)

This weekend saw Staines taking on Richmond 2s, who are one of the teams to migrate across from the London league this season.

Playing in the new white kit at home for the first time, there was definitely a good buzz around the team going into the match. Having not faced Richmond 2s in previous seasons, Staines knew there was no room for complacency following their unbeaten start to the season. Staines had to keep doing what’s worked for them in the past few weeks to ensure the unbeaten run continued.

The match started with Staines on the front foot. Staines were awarded an early opportunity to go ahead through a short corner which was nicely finished off by Rich Green, following a rebound off the keepers pads. Richmond didn’t really get going in the first first. Staines stood solid in defence as has been the case in previous weeks and saw off any Richmond attack. Going forwards Staines continued to create great goal scoring opportunities and went 2-0 up from a lovely lob finish by Matt Wells over the keeper from a tight angle. Everyone was in good spirits going into the half time break but Staines knew they only had a two goal cushion so had to keep the momentum going in the second half.

The second half started in similar fashion to the first with Staines dominating possession and seeing out Richmonds wave of attacks. Richmond didn’t manage to create many goal scoring opportunities thanks to Staines great work rate to get back behind the ball in defence. Everyone was putting in a good shift to ensure a clean sheet was maintained. Staines were reduced to 10 men a few times during the second half, however this did not phase them as Staines got another goal through Matt Wells off another short corner. Staines weren’t finished there though, just before the final whistle blew they won another short corner which was again slotted away nicely by Matt Wells, who completed his first hat trick back at his boyhood club - 4-0 it finished!

Second clean sheet in a row for Staines which is just what the boys needed going into next weeks top of the table clash with Oxford OBU. Oxford are the only other unbeaten team in the league so far, winning 7 out of 7, but Staines will be looking to disrupt their winning run and take over the top spot.