For the uninitiated you could be forgiven for seeing this score line and thinking here we go again.

However, the performance this week was night and day compared to recent 3's run outs.

Success isn't determined by how many times you win, but by how you play the week after you lose. So after a few too many L's and interesting internal inquiries (far less deliciously savoury than our match tea's) - today the team felt like a team rediscovering how to unite.

'Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success' Henry Ford.

After the midweek soul searching the team agreed to meet early to enact a cunning plan. Steve shepherded the team into the clubhouse to instruct everyone on a new formation and individual roles. With fire in their bellies the team took to the hallowed turf!

Setting up in a 3-2-3-2 formation the match began against Witney 3s. With the ever faithful club captain leading from the back bellowing out orders and adopting a deep steely glaze. The promotion of youth has always been important to the club but too many had overlooked a bright young prospect in the 5's. So the prodigal son Drew provided guidance to the two defensive young guns Tom K and Ellis; keeping a lock down on their wide players. In turn Grant and Kyle worked tirelessly to block any runners through the middle of midfield which gave Tuppers the freedom to pepper the oppo D with his trademark slap hits. On any other day Robbo would have had 3 or 4 goals at this point with some deft touches sadly sailing wide supported by brilliant play down the flanks from Steve and Peachey. Towards the end of the half Witney pounced on a ball in the Berko final third slicing through the defence leading to one bit of aerial magic and Haydn didn't have a chance.

In the second half the battle continued with Berko feeling they were still in this game and could perhaps even snatch it. Berko started bringing their own wizards to the party with Manish taunting them with his stick skills. Kyle in particular provided some great passes to Jonny acting as a constant thorn in the Witney defence and one of the most consistent players on the team this season. But Berko were starting to get tired and losing players to injury. Witney began to get the upper hand with a shot stopped on the line by an errant Berko foot. Up stepped the Witney forward, staring down the Berko keeper casually putting it away 2-0. Five minutes later a mazy run from the same Witney player weaving around 3 tired Berko teammates finished sharply to make it 3-0.

The game finished 5-0 with the team playing really well and didn't reflect the performance against a team top of the table. Lots of positives to take forward and if the 3s play like that every game then it will get reflected in future results.

MOM - Kyle & Drew
WoM Clare Best teas in the Home Counties and a fine Onion Gravy! Muchos Grathias.