Ongar Town welcomed Westhamians to Love Lane on Thursday and gained revenge for the drubbing they took in the first game of the league season back in September with a fine all round team performance culminating in a four goal victory.

Westhamians started on the front foot and soon put the Town goal under pressure and almost went ahead in the very first minute but a header from a corner went just over the bar. Westhamians continued to have slightly the better of the play but Town started to get back into the game and looked dangerous on the break with Lee Humphrey and Niki Love looking particularly dangerous. After 20 minutes Mark Neal, who was clearly struggling with an injury was replaced by young Matt Macedo and a few positional changes were also made. This seemed to have a good effect and all of a sudden Town looked more likely to score. Lee Humphrey made good progress down the right on a few occasions but the final ball was scrambled away. After 30 minutes Town took the lead when Lee Humphrey broke down the right and fed the ball back to Niki Love who smashed it home from the edge of the box with a vicious first time right foot strike, 0-1. Half time arrived soon after.

Town started the second half strongly and had an opportunity to extend their lead when they won a penalty. Unfortunately Towns recent penalty curse continued when Lee Humphrey blazed high wide and not so handsome; so that’s the last 3 penalties missed by 3 different players. A few minutes later Lee made amends and showed that he finds it easier to score with a right foot volley from 25 yards, rather than 12, for one of, if not the goal of season, 0-2. Town were now rampant and scored again when Flighty, who was excellent all game, picked out Niki Love with a super through ball which he finished with a sublime lob from the edge of the box, 0-3. The scoring was completed a few minutes later when Niki Love’s pace again caused panic in the Westhamians defence causing their centre half to lob his own keeper, 0-4. The final whistle went to end an excellent team performance and Lodgey cleared off to his darts match.

Summary: with so many key players missing on the night this was an outstanding team performance and further proof that the squad has improved dramatically since the start of the season.

Player of the match: Really difficult one today – Ready took over from Mark Neal as skipper when he went off and was outstanding both with his leadership and in his typical refusal to lose a header or tackle. Flighty’s passing was superb and Niki Love was again eye-catching up front. But today I’m going to give it to young Brad Merrrick who gave an all action display in central midfield, won loads of ball, passed it well and certainly put himself about for a little fella.

El Col