We arrived in the middle of a tempest to find the oppostion already mid warm-up, clearly relishing this top-of-the-table tie. Both teams held a 100% record at this point and Badshot Lea seemed determined to knock us down a peg. They started brightly, with a couple of good attacks narrowly missing the Albury goal. Like many of our opponents this season, Badshot Lea favoured a long ball game, relying on the strength and pace of large individuals up front to win them the game. This was certainly effective for 20 minutes as their size and strength seemed to intimidate the Sharks. In fact, from the side, our lads looked like a small tribe of Bonsai humans running around with giants, and on a large pitch, the Albury game was just not clicking. Rushed and pressed by strong players, Albury struggled to control possession and were tempted to match the opposition's long ball game, to little effect. Great interceptions from Gabe, Greg and Monty and a few decent saves from Dexter Williams kept the opposition at bay until Badshot pounced onto a loose ball from a corner and took the lead.

Thankfully, Albury began to grow into the game, with Daniel Stovald and Daniel Mcgraw taking the game by the horns, calmly keeping the ball before setting up some devastating attacks. Defensively, Josh Smith, Monty and Daniel Stovald set the exaple for the team in being first to every loose ball, enabling to win possession back far quicker. A lovely ball over the top from Harvey Rush found the arcing run from Josh Smith who in turn fed Ben Gregory, who narrowly missed his first time shot, a sign that the Albury were growing into the game. After some sustained pressure, the equaliser was grabbed by Daniel Egbe with a poachers finish at the far post from a Josh Smith cross.

Half time:
Badshot Lea Clarets 1-5 Albury Sharks

Albury reemerged a new team, in the second half, much calmer on the ball and much more intelligent with our passes. Noah, Josh and Daniel Stovald combined excellently to create chance after chance and it was only a matter of time before Josh assisted Daniel Egbe once again. Josh has always prided himself in being a goalscorer but I am personally so thrilled to see him re-evaluate what makes him successful and has become one of the teams most creative players. In doing this he is absolutely racking up the assists. The third arrived shortly after when Ben Gregory deftly dinked the ball over the top to Noah, who expertly side footed a finish in off the post for 3-1.

At this point, Albury were completely dominant. At the back they were barely troubled. Mackenzie Rose used his strength, pace and positional awareness to completely stifle attacks on their right flank, while Harvey handled their pacy winger on their left. Ali Jennis, on his first appearence after injury was an absolute beast at centre back. Even in 10/10 performances, most players will make a few mistakes but I am convinced that Ali did not make a single mistake in an entire half of football. Strong in the tackle, calm in possession and intelligent with his positioning, Ali and Gabe barely gave this strong opponent a sniff.

Daniel Egbe continued to bully the Badshot Lea defence and completed his hat-trick with another close range finish. The icing on the cake came when Luciano Gouviea fed Ben Gregory who calmly rounded the keeper and finished off the scoring from a tight angle. What had started as a challenge ended up as a rout. A most deserved and satisfying victory that took the Sharks to the top of the table for now.

Full time:
Badshot Lea Clarets 1-5 Albury Sharks

Goals:
Daniel Egbe x 3
Noah Davies
Ben Gregory

Paul's POTM: Daniel Stovald
Harry's POTM: Gabe Fitzgerald & Ali Jennis

Coaches reflections:
1. The style of play of the opposition and the unusually large pitch started the Albury Sharks and knocked them from their usual playing style. What was most satisfying was to see that the change didn't come from us coaches at half time but by players on the pitch showing great leadership skills. Well done Daniel Stovald and Daniel Mcgraw in particular for this!

2. In a similar way, the high standards of the team are now being demanded by the players rather than the coaches. I heard Daniel Stovald demanding that others should be first to the ball and leading by example in this himself against much larger and stronger players.

3. Though it makes me nervous to see the defence play themselves out of trouble (and we may yet make a mistake in this way), it is so encouraging to see them confident in their own ability, and the ability of their team mates, enough to keep possession in tricky spots, including passing back to Dexter to recycle the ball. This was in contrast to an opposition who would hoof the ball out of play when under pressure.

4. Both Greg and Mac played the entire second half out of position this week and looked so comfortable. It is great to see the boys becoming complete footballers.

5. Ivan came to watch the match in the pouring rain, despite not being in the squad, another great example of the fantastic team spirit and attitude in the Sharks.

6. This success isn't a reward for good training at the moment, this is the reward for their incredible attitude last season when they were struggling. Last season we saw glimpses of this dominant football for a couple of minutes at a time, now we are seeing them sustain it for large periods. Now we must work to dominate from start to finish...