September the 11th brought in the start of the competitive season for the second string at the club, and after a largely disappointing pre season a good opening day display was needed.

The reserves started with a line up which differed massively from the team that won the division 2 championship in May. Debuts were handed to Adam Woods, Paul Glenister and Jack Fendley.

After a slightly improved warm up of running about a certain area of the pitch like headless chickens rather than running across the pitch like the aforementioned poultry Stur kicked off to get the game underway. After a few nervous initial touches Stur gained possession and some good work was made down the left to win a corner. This signalled a chance for the pair of Duggan and Saunders to make their way to the opposition penalty area. A deep ball in from Davies found the head of Duggan and when the rebound came off of the defender Duggan despatched a right foot drive into the corner of the net leaving the keeper with no chance 1 - 0 Stur.

Stur quickly won possession again and within minutes a second goal came this time a debut goal for Adam Wood getting his season off to the best possible start. By this time it was becoming apparent that the opposition did not really have much to offer on the football pitch! Good work down the right won a throw in the corner and after some impressive interplay the ball delivered into the box was diverted by a defenders hand – penalty.

Erkan Mete placed the ball on the spot (penalties now being his only dead ball opportunities) and with typical fashion despatched the penalty for 3 – 0.

As the half wore on Stur were hardly troubled and dealt with what pressures were put upon them easily. A flowing move down the left with good interplay between Bennet, Davies and Miller resulted in a cross being put in by Davies towards a rapidly advancing Lambert who had managed to hobble his way into the box from right back. After missing the ball completely but managing to wipe out the 2 defenders and goalkeeper Lambert was able to watch as Wood was able to score his second of the game with an easy tap in 4 – 0.

Goal 5 also came before half time with Wood wrapping up his hat trick and an impressive first half performance. At half time the hugely inspirational (and crippled) Lambert was forced to make way due to injury and replaced by Jamie Bowles with the armband being taken on by Saunders.

As the second half got underway the goals continued to flow with a quick brace coming from debutante Paul Glenister taking the score to 7 – 0. As Stur continued to pile the pressure on Wood got his 4th of the game with an audacious flick with his heel over what now was a keeper with little fight left 8 - 0.

Jack Fendley was brought on from the bench for his debut replacing the impressive Davies on the left hand on midfield. Fendley automatically got involved with some confident touches. The introduction of Fendley seemed to give Miller the freedom to roam and he turned into a second left winger and after some good football on the right appeared in the box to confidently chest the ball down for a Johnston cross and place it over the advancing keeper. 9 – 0.

On the 80th minute of the game Adam Wood wrapped up his personal display with his 5th goal of the game a tap in finish but they all count! 10 – 0.

The tenth goal signalled possibly the biggest changing point of the game and with gasps to be heard all along the touch line that could only mean one thing; yes James Foster was warming up to come on. Foster replaced Scott Bennett who had spent the last 5 minutes having his own personal game of “crossbar challenge” but was the unfortunate victim of being replaced by Sturs only player who’s collecting a pension. Foster took to the pitch and swiftly positioned himself on the opposition 18 yard box. The impact of Foster was soon seen when the ball was somehow at his feet (probably a pass from the other team) Foster then turned on the ball and looked to send a cross field ball to the right. With typical fashion the ball flew off a shin pad and took a goalwards course resulting in 11 – 0.

To carry on his now hottest streak in 20 years Foster got possession of the ball and shaped this time for a strike on goal! Could lightning strike twice? As a matter of fact it did the shin pad once again got to the ball first and turned a shot into a cross into an awaiting Miller who wrapped the game up with a simple tap in 12 – 0. It was at this point the referee from the same generation as the Reserves manager took pity on the visitors and ended the game.

A fantastic start to the season for all involved and a start we will hope to carry on.