We Hate Ben began the game with a 4-4-2 formation, handing debut starts to five players including Rhys Jones, Ian Hanmore-Farrugia, James Amos, Jay Walker and Jack Kelly. All five had been signed in the summer or January, while Jason Dodsworth started his first match since returning from a year away. Chris Webster captained the side and player-boss Matt L'argent moved to centre-back to cover for the missing Peter Thomas and David Norbury.
We Hate Ben dominated the early proceedings and took only fifteen minutes before breaking the deadlock. WHB had controlled the ball in midfield and R. Jones and Dodsworth had linked well down the right but lacked the killer ball. This all changed however when R. Jones played Hanmore-Farrugia in and his left-footed strike easily beat the goalkeeper and the former Gigolo Warriors and Unathletico Madrid captain celebrated in style. A second goal didn't take too much longer when Walker was played in by Dave Turvill behind the defence and dispatched a good finish to score a debut goal and double the lead. With NWAUC struggling to get a foot on the ball and unable to get out of their own half, Dave Turvill was put through one-on-one by the impressive Matt Davies and coolly dinked his effort over the goalkeeper and into the net, despite missing a golden opportunity minutes before when stretching to reach a low R. Jones cross and striking the post. A fourth was added before the break when Walker notched his second with another decent finish, his pace being a real asset before getting on the end of R. Jones's ball. The teams went in at half-time with WHB 4-0 up.
The second half saw three changes, with Michael Jones, Andy Rhodes and Dan Johnson making their first appearances, coming on for Hanmore-Farrugia, Amos and Turvill respectively. A delightful switched pass from Kelly to put R. Jones in a position to slot the ball home with a good finish saw WHB again strengthen their lead. M. Jones then had a chance but his fifty-fifty challenge with the goalkeeper saw him have to come off with a knee injury. With Jones injured and replaced by Ronnie D'sa making his first appearance, R. Jones was also substitued for Louis Robertson, another debutant. NWAUC had their first spell of pressure while the team adjusted to the changes but again WHB saw their seventh after another two substitutions. Johnson moved to right-back when Dodsworth went off for Grosvenor, while Fleming went on the left-wing for Kelly as D'sa moved back. The changes didn't affect the rhythm of the side however and Grosvenor put Walker in for his third goal, taking the score to six. Fleming's corner was touched into the path of Rhodes who managed to poke it into the net after a touch by NWAUC's goalkeeper and defender. Player-manager L'argent ended the game with a thirty-yard pile driver that saw WHB's eighth, which will surely be an early contender for goal of the season. A late spell of pressure from both sides saw Nathan Leach make a great save from a deflected shot at his near post, and a few nearly moments from the WHB attackers.
L'argent made these comments post-match: "I was very pleased with the great team performance today in difficult conditions. The debutants all had great games and all made an impact, while the long-term guys were excellent also. I can't fault anyone today, the performances were 110% and I am proud of them. The start we made was fantastic and now I look forward to our next match."
Team (4-4-2)
Leach - Dodsworth, Webster (C), L'argent, Kelly - R. Jones, M. Davies, Amos, Hanmore-Farrugia - Turvill, Walker.
Subs: (used) M. Jones, Robertson, Johnson, D'sa, Rhodes, Grosvenor, Fleming. (unused) Healy.
Goals: Walker 3, Hanmore-Farrugia, Turvill, R. Jones, Rhodes, L'argent.
Man of the match: R. Jones.
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