Mongooses Outstanding in 4-3 Win
By Matt Sabben-Clare
Mongooses 4 – 3 Sanderstead Cats
This was probably the best team performance so far from the Mongooses, a gritty 4-3 away win against a well-organised Sanderstead side, in torrential rain.
Sanderstead had bolstered their team with a couple of strong players at centre-mid and centre-back, and we had to adapt our game-plan quickly to work the ball around them.
Not for the first time this season, we found ourselves 1-0 down quite early in the game. Despite getting one back, by the break we were trailing 3-1 and staring down the barrel.
We channelled our inner mongoose in the second half, scrapping for everything, marking tightly and looking increasingly dangerous on the counter-attack.
Man of the match, Dirk Smeed, stepped up with a vital hat-trick, taking his chances clinically from the back of the D. Meanwhile, at the other end, goal-keeper Fynn T put in an outstanding display, to keep repeated late forays from Sanderstead at bay.
It was a pretty even game and we showed spirit and tenacity to come away with a win.
Particular thanks to our 4-person second umpire in the form of Dave P, Dirk, Stuart and Greg, filling in seamlessly at short notice.
Player of the match: Dirk Smeed
Goalscorers: Dirk Smeed (3), Dave Pinder