League Two: We Hate Ben 5-2 ATFC Lions

We Hate Ben stormed to the top of table and impressed with another dominant victory over an ATFC Lions side rooted to the foot of the Kanes' League Two. WHB were good value for their win despite throwing away a two goal lead in the first-half, and were helped by a moment of misfortune for the opposition goalkeeper.

After the win against FC Beaver, WHB manager James Naik carried on with the 4-4-2 formation that has brought success recently, with a few forced changes. Adam Edgerley returned to centre-midfield, Adam Smith moved to his favoured position of right-back and Chris Webster returned to the centre of defence, while he was also named as captain. The usual skipper was unavailable for selection in this match, along with Nathan Leach in goal and Jack Thomas also missing. Winger Jose Scott was back in the squad after a long time out, selected on the bench.

We Hate Ben started brightly and looked dangerous with each attack. It didn't take very long for the deadlock to be broken, with Toby Moss scoring his second goal in as many games. A Hywel Williams corner was met by an Adam Smith scissor-kick at the near post, which found its way to Moss who poked in for the opening goal. James Peate hit the second with a superb finish after a long ball was launched down field. Using his pace, he latched onto the ball and ran past the defence before hitting a shot from out wide, at an angle that looked improbable. WHB now looked in good stead, but seemingly took their foot off the gas as they lost two goals in quick succession.

Stand-in goalkeeper Stuart Fleming who had a decent game overall despite carrying a thigh problem, unfortunately made a call to his defence to collect a ball but was beaten to it by an ATFC Lions forward. The striker managed to turn and looped a shot over Fleming into the top right-hand corner. The second was conceded when the WHB defence failed to close down a player on the right hand side, giving him time to lob Fleming from around twenty-five yards. We Hate Ben did manage to retake the lead before the break when Adam Edgerley's effort from a similar distance was able to slip through the Lion's keepers hands and drop into the back of the net.

The second half was a far more comfortable affair, with the SoccerJoos generally running things in midfield and looking dangerous in attack. Peter Thomas was forced to come off with a knee injury, with Cei Whitehouse replacing him. The impressive Ross Pope managed to cross for Hywel Williams, whose miscontrol fortunately allowed the ball to fall to Peate who finished well from twelve yards.

Williams and Pope were then replaced by Matt Sermon and Adam Roberts, who brought some extra pace to the wings. The fifth WHB goal was due to this change, with interplay between Sermon and Matt L'argent, L'argent's run to the byline and resulting cross to Roberts at the back post, who finished superbly for his first ever We Hate Ben goal. Naik also made substitutions in the opening stages, with Scott, Danny Shaw and Mark Healy coming on. Dave Turvill was also introduced, making his league debut for the side.

Manager Naik made these comments post match: "Another game and another win for us and we need to carry on doing this if we are to stay at the top of this league. We've won three on the bounce now and we will need to beat Abergeldie and look to beat our title rivals and hope everyone drops points against each other. As far as I can remember I think we have only ever beaten one side we wouldn't have been favourites to win, and that was Inter Abergeldie two seasons ago. We have never beaten Sex Panthers or Pornstars and we have never played Phoenix before and to have any chance of winning this league now after our defeat to On The Pier we need to win as many of these matches as we can. They are huge games and title winners win huge games. I have special praise for Matt Davies, Matt L'argent, Ross Pope, James Peate and Toby Moss who in particular I thought were excellent today, and praise for all the team and the substitutes who made a difference when they came on. I look forward to our next match and lets cement our position at the summit."

Team (4-4-2)

Fleming - Smith, Webster, P. Thomas, L'argent - Pope, Edgerley, Davies, Williams - Peate, Moss.

Subs: (used) Whitehouse, Roberts, Sermon, Healy, Scott, Turvill, Shaw (unused) None.

Goals: Peate 2, Moss, Edgerley, Roberts.

Man of the match: Davies.