Indies sitting in Still waters

Tom Still’s men made it six wins from as many matches on Saturday morning to extend their perfect start to the season and, for an hour or two at least, give themselves an eight-point cushion on their nearest rivals Colombians, who were up against champions Casuals later in the day.

But this latest 4-1 victory was far from plaining sailing and the three-goal margin was harsh on Elizabeth College, who were well in the game for the vast majority of it.

As to be expected, the students did show signs of naivety against their star-studded opponents, but the men in orange acknowledged that they had had to work hard for their latest three points.

In fact, Andy Good’s young side started the brighter on a windy but thankfully dry morning and could – probably should – have gone ahead inside the opening 45 seconds.

A good run by Max Lord down the right set up the chance and unmarked Charlie Clapham’s eyes would have lit up as the ball was squared to him just eight yards out, but in his eagerness he attempted to hit the ball too hard and missed it completely, much to his coach’s disbelief.

Indies took a little time to settle but they were helped as College started to misplace a couple of passes and gift their opponents possession.

Against a side of Indies’ quality, you cannot do that for long and get away with it, as the youngsters soon learnt.

The league leaders started to get themselves on the front foot and they forced three short-corners in four minutes, with the third resulting in the opening goal as Steve Waldrom switched it onto his reverse and directed a pinpoint shot into the bottom corner.

Morgan Clayton, the outstanding top-flight goalkeeper of the season so far, made fine saves from Josh Kendal and Still to keep the deficit to just one inside the first quarter.

Those saves were made to look even more important on 20min. when College conjured an equaliser.

It was Lord who earned the short-corner in the first place and then he capitalised fully as his drag flick found the roof of the net.

It remained level until half-time, although there was still plenty going on as Will Dawe and Rory Chamberlain came close to restoring the Indies lead while both sides had players sent to the sin bin as the match became fractious at times.

Pleased with his side’s efforts in the first 35 minutes, Good instructed his troops for much of the same in the second half and to try and frustrate their opponents for as long as possible.

However, Indies only had to wait three minutes before re-establishing their lead as Elliot Wilson knocked in the rebound after Dawe’s shot was blocked at a short-corner.

There was palpable relief in the Indies camp when that went in and soon Clayton was producing a brilliant double save to deny Waldrom and Dawe.

Midway through the half, the EC keeper was in the action again with neat work to nick the ball away from Dougal Perfitt followed by a fine block from Kendal.

It was certainly not one-way traffic as College saw plenty of the ball, but the chances were coming for the oranges and 12 minutes from time they made the game safe as Waldrom doubled his individual tally for the day from close range.

Kendal then put the icing on the cake for Indies, literally walking in the fourth goal.