League Two: FC Beaver 1-6 We Hate Ben

We Hate Ben put in a commanding performance and a display more like the title challengers they were labelled as in preseason as they fired in six goals against a indifferent FC Beaver side. The first game between the two teams was full-blooded affair with some strong tackling but that didn't mean that there was no fluidity to the football.

WHB manager James Naik lined up his team in a 4-4-2 formation similar to what was started last week against Unatletico Madrid. With last weeks MOM Adam Edgerley and Chris Webster missing from the defence, the returning Jack Thomas and full debutant Peter Thomas came into defence. Hywel Williams was moved onto the left-wing for Matt Sermon who was dropped to the bench because of fitness doubts while Matt Davies came back in at centre-midfield.

The team started brightly and looked the more dangerous as both the wing-play and long-ball seemed to cause problems. James Peate and Toby Moss made it difficult for the FC Beaver defence and it seemed that it would only be a matter of time before a goal was scored. After the Beaver goalkeeper handled the ball outside of his area and collected a yellow card for his trouble, WHB were given free-kick. On the edge of the box Williams stepped up and saw his low struck shot take a deflection off Peter Thomas and end up in the net. James Peate netted the second with a good finish after being put through by the excellent Ross Pope. Williams also collected a booking for a deciding to pick up the ball after being somewhat over-zealously challenged by a Beaver player.

Half-time saw the SoccerJoos go in two goals to the good but they didn't rest as they looked to kill the contest. Beaver made a change of goalkeeper but that didn't stop WHB as they looked for goals. James Peate managed to beat a player and the goalkeeper to see his cross-shot finished by Pope. Williams then saw another of his dangerous corner-kicks headed in by Richie Shore for his first goal of the season. Pope then took centre stage as he collected the ball in midfield and hit a dipping shot from early thiry yards to beat the goalkeeper. A fourth assist for Williams from another corner saw Toby Moss head in the sixth and final WHB goal, his first for the club. On a slightly disappointed end for WHB, stand-in goalkeeper Stuart Fleming nearly collected the record for clean sheets, only after being beaten by a low effort in stoppage time. Fleming had only a few minutes before just saved a similar effort, and he was visibly disappointed to have such a blemish on a near-perfect afternoon of football.

WHB manager James Naik talked about the performance after the match: "It was another good performance which improved on last weeks 2-0 win, and the result sees us climb up to second in the league. It was a difficult match, with a lot of strong tackles but I thought the referee had a good game despite maybe should have had a few more words with some of the Beaver players who were going in a little high with the challenge. I'm glad we showed a bit more of a ruthless streak in front of goal, and I have a few special mentions for some players although everyone did well today. Congratulations to Ross Pope for his two goals and now having played the second highest amount of matches and to Peter Thomas who narrowly missed out on the man of the match to Pope with a great display on his full debut. Praise also for Hywel Williams with his assists, Toby Moss for his first goal for us and Stuart Fleming for an excellent performance between the sticks. That all said however doesn't mean that no-one else deserves praise, as everyone was excellent today. All I will ask is that we now throw down the gauntlet to the other sides, stick another three or six points on the board next week if we play twice and make them have to chase us."

Team (4-4-2)

Fleming - J. Thomas, Smith, P. Thomas, L'argent - Pope, Shore, Davies, Williams - Peate, Moss.

Subs: (used) Sermon, Roberts, Healy, Whithouse. (unused) None.

Goals: Pope 2, P. Thomas, Peate, Shore, Moss.

Man of the match: Pope.