Three points went in Iden’s favour on the opening day of the season away at Peche Hill Select as Iden won 4-2. Iden controlled the game early doors with Richard “Alfy” Weller linking well with Rob Levett to force a good save from the back heel of Weller. Despite lots of possession Iden didn’t threaten until manager Winton showed composure in the opposition box like the wizard “Harry Potter” to tee up Justin Wall who smashed the ball home from 20 yards.
With seconds remaining of the first half a rare break from Peche resulted in a lame header sneaking in the far post with the centre midfielders, defenders and goalkeeper all disappointed with the part they played in the goal. Half time 1-1.
A positive team talk at the break changed the mindset of the players especially Sam Cooper who in the second half was in a different class. Cooper’s picking the ball up more centrally released Levett whose goal bound strike hit the post only too rebound towards him. With the flexibility of a teenager he managed to nod the ball into an open net. Some great runs from Weller didn’t quite always find their man but on some occasions the balls came through. The Peche goalkeeper pulled off some absolute world class saves from all the Iden front men. But it was an unlikely source who grabbed the third goal as left back Luke Willis galloped unmarked from his own half to tap home close range from a mishit shot/cross from Cooper.
Captain Tom Harris was solid throughout until an epic fail of a nutmeg allowed the home side forward to race through only for a shot to go wide. Peche did score shortly after “route one” style: a measured long ball was finished well, past a static Shane Ridgers. Winton battled on dragging his troops with him in a game which should have been seen off much earlier. When Wall missed an open goal from six yards with the home keeper pulling off yet another save, you feared any attack from Peche with minutes too go. The points were secured for Iden when Cooper jinxed past three defenders and then the keeper to grab victory. Not the greatest performance from Iden but a win for the manager along with the man of the match award for his efforts.
Iden team: Ridgers, Cobly, Wilson, Harris, Willis, Winton, Warne, Wall, Levett, Cooper, Weller. Sub not used: Tiltman.