MIKES " A RIGHT ROYAL "PAYNE

FC ST GEORGE HAVE SIX APPEAL Fc st geroge 6 The Griffin 2 Prolific striker “tap in specialist” Mikey Payne, Grabbed the easiest five goals of his career to maintain Fc St Georges unbeaten home record. The Sunday side put The Griffin to the sword as their Promotion bandwagon kept pace on leaders Three Swans and Weaver Fc who both respectfully won their league games.. Last weeks cup disaster was soon forgotten as Player-Managers Glasson’s outfit took to the wet sodden pitch with a hunger and determination , and It was a case of same personnel but a change of attitude as they looked a totally different side.. Glasson had recalled striker Mark Wallis to the squad and Martin Read started his first game of the season on the left flank.. Man of the match Midfielder Sean Holton who was starting his second game of the season roamed the pitch like a freed spirit and was instrumental in every attack. Skipper Matt Crucifix held his own in the centre of midfield while behind him Creative Maestro and goals scorer Mark Davies the link between defence and midfield. Defender John Green earnt himself a second start after his performance last week and Joined Nigel Chantey and Mark self in defence. Almost unreal for most at St Georges was the stark reality now !! that Glasson’s side can play football when there’s something at stake- and with a quality bench it was a case of performances rather than today’s score line. And for the first half dominance it would be hard to change anything and gave the visiting Griffin Manager a valuable learning experience, especially as he might have to go through the same experience next week when they return to Fortress St Georges in the Division Two Cup The match itself was played mostly in the midfield with Griffin using their height advantage and winning most of the aerial conflicts but rarely creating anything to worry the home side. FC St George, however taking a difference approach and playing on the floor and out to the flanks to either Read or Clark. The Opener on 1 21 minutes came down the right flank Simon Clark worked himself down the channel before firing a low cross into the box that beat everyone but Martin Read on the left flank who picked out Mikey Payne for his first of the game. 1-0 . Mikey Payne ten minutes later then double his tally from a corner after a spell of blitzkrieg in the visitors box. Fc had pushed Griffin deep in their own half with .everyone but the back three having a dig at goal, finally Griffin headed out for a corner for some respite. The goal came as Sean Holton Flicked on f Marc Davies corner to Payne who could hardly miss and made it 2-0. It nearly went pear shape five minutes later when Martin Read unnecessarily upended a Griffin player in the box, but Makwana gleefully looked in bewilderment at the worst ever penalty taken as it soared well over his bar. This was a wake up call and the rest of the half was played out cautiously. Second half Griffin came out more spiritedly testing Makwana with two efforts, but both hitting the side netting. At the other end Mark Wallis who was delighting his manager with his power runs could not score with half a dozen chances. His best efforts a thunderous effort saved one handedly by the keeper, and a golden opportunity went begging on 80 minutes after he ran to early to meet Payne’s right sided cross. . Paynes Third came came from some build up from the back Nigel CHantley feeding Mark Self , who went on one of his famous velcro runs, taking on three players before unleashing a pinpoint pass to Skipper Matt Crucifix who broke free down the right side of the Griffen box before picking out Martin Read coming in from the left, the switch of play flat footed the Griffin defence and Payne collected Reads throughball and tapped in from three yards. 3-0. Joy turned sour Straight from the kick off ,Griffin grabbed their first goal. A three man move making a mockery off fortress St Georges credibilities.3-1 defender Mark Self was replaced by Portuguese import Henrik Da Silva and Rory Kelly came on for John Green. The fresh legs added a bit of zest to the action and the homeside started to move the ball around more freely. Both Holton and Read both saw long range efforts drift wide and Mikey payne was denied twice by the keeper. Payne was destined to score again and it came on 70 minutes, beating the offside trap and running onto a Sean Holton throughball and volleyed in from close range. 4-1 Griffen then conjured up another goal against the run of play. Ball watching and complacency helping make it 4-2 . Fc Manager Glasson sensing the danger changed his formation which suited the eager Rory Kelly who was givin the lincense to thrill with his mazy runs . The ever improving Clark slipping back into a right back role, sitting back and Skipper Matt Crucifix shoring up the middle of defence. ., It was one of Kelly s jinxing runs that contributed to Paynes Fifth goal. His run infield was temporary blocked and he held onto the ball and waited before sending the ball wide to Read who crossed into the box for Payne to net his fifth past a flat footed keeper. 5-1. Payne nearly repayed a favour to striker Mark Wallis with a superb cross three minutes later but wallis had started his run to early and the ball sailed behind. FC ST georges final goal was scored by Mark Davies who had won the ball in his own half, passed it to Kelly who combined with Payne down the right flank.Payne held it up and Daveies who had kept running received the ball in acres of space before sending a low volley passed a deflated keeper. Final score 6-2