Team: Gaz Stewart, Rob Sadler, Alan Clarke, Richard Gough (c), Oli Watkins, Ben McGeown, Pat, Shedders, Jake, Nick, Nick Coates
Subs: Ian Clarke, Rick Utting, Sabby
AFC Cubo resumed a long-standing rivalry with an old foe on Saturday following Puretown’s promotion last season. Playing on Tooting & Mitcham FC’s 3G pitch, Cubo started slowly but settled down and began to use the playing surface to zip the ball around well and after a sustained period of early domination took a well deserved lead. A strong move down the right freed Alan Clarke, whose ball into the middle was flicked into the path of Rufus Shedwick who converted from close-range.
Cubo were in the goals again shortly after when a long kick from Gaz Stewart found its way through to one of the Flowers (Jake we think but who can tell?) to finish at the near post.
At this point Cubo should have gone on to dominate the game, but as often seems to be the case they contrived to make things harder than they should have been by sitting back and inviting pressure. Whilst Puretown were not able to create many chances, they were afforded a lifeline when they found space down the right and a deflected cross looped over the helpless Stewart and into the net.
At 2-1 up the win that had looked guaranteed suddenly looked more precarious. Step forward Cubo’s newest debenture-holder. Receiving a pass from McGeown in the centre circle, Shedwick nipped round one Puretown defender before beating another and carrying the ball to the edge of the area before dispatching an unstoppable right-footed shot into the far corner. 3-1 Cubo.
A 2 goal cushion safely restored by half time, Cubo relaxed in the second half and began to play some really good football. Further goals were added by Jake or Nick (probably Jake) and Sabby before an excellent move ended in a delightful chip over the oncoming keeper by Nick Coates for his first Cubo goal. Cubo undoubtedly caught Puretown on an off-day and will face tougher opposition but this was a confidence-boosting result and constituted the biggest win for the baby blue army for some time.
Final Score: Puretown 1-6 AFC Cubo
Man of the Match: Ryan Shedwick
AFC Cubo 