Thaxted Rangers Yellows 12 (Twelve):1 Letchworth Zaffre

Talk about making an entrance! The Yellows announced their arrival in the Royston Crow league by thrashing the catchily-named Letchworth Garden City Eagles U18 Zaffre twelve one. Whilst it’s only fair to report that the visitors were only able to field ten men, reduced to nine by an injury later in the match, it was clear that the Yellows were embarrassingly dominant in every department. Even when Coach Charlie sportingly took two yellows players off to balance the team sizes to 9 v 9, the Yellows still enjoyed the vast proportion of possession and scoring opportunities.

Cole opened the Yellows’ account with a looping free kick over the visitors’ wall and keeper after just a minute. Rory hit the second only moments later. Letchworth’s sole goal came next, a standard cross and shot that the Yellows’ defence should perhaps have dealt with more effectively. Chris delivered 3-1 on the half hour, leaping to meet Zach’s pinpoint cross with a crisp header. As the first half drew to a close, Lewis delivered a swift one-two of carbon-copy goals: a blazing run down the right and a hard, low shot to finish.

The onslaught continued after the break. Ed immediately burying his shot from distance before the spit was dry on the young ref’s whistle. Jacob’s brilliant curler brought up Thaxted’s lucky seven and Lewis slotted home his hat-trick goal after Ethan’s shot rebounded off Letchworth’s keeper. It looked like Ethan would be unable to convert any of the many chances that fell his way, but on the hour, he finally found the net for 9-1. Rory made it double figures with his second of the day but it was Jack who claimed the biggest cheer as he scored his very first goal for the Yellows. Ed’s second of the day was another banger from perhaps 30 yards, to bring up the Yellows’ dozen.

I’m sure Henry, making his first appearance for the Yellows and demonstrating some excellent defensive heading skills, must have thought he’d joined Barcelona by mistake today, but we can only assume there will be many tougher challenges than this one as the season gets into its stride.