On a day where most of the Peninsula league fell foul to frozen pitches, Duchy turfs seemed to avoid the big freeze and play host to a local derby between the two bay rivals Meva and Gorran.
On a pitch that bared more resemblance to a wheelbarrow squashed, sloppy Iceland ready meal, Mevagissey obviously spent less time in the microwave and raced into a 3-0 lead with 10 minutes, shell shocking a Gorran defence who clearly hadn't yet defrosted.
Scott Daly scoring the 1st with 2 minutes on the clock when the home keeper punched at fresh air leaving himself in the cold for Scott to send a curling effort beyond him from outside the box. Scott would then double his tally moments later when a ball fell to his feet following a delivery in the box. 3-0 came straight away, Scott getting there first in front of a defender for an incredibly quick hat trick!
Gorran eventually peeled the plastic off the tubs and came out fighting, getting 2 in quick succession. Some pinball ricochets finding Tom Guest to finish beyond Charley Elton, before they nabbed a second from a set piece.
Zach Smith Brokenshire & Nad combined well in the middle exchanging neat 1-2's to frustrate a Gorran side who regularly tried to put the boot in, with Lloyd Grose behind winning aerial duels.
The game became a bit stop start, with balls constantly heading for nearby farmers fields and hedgerows.
With Meva allegedly desperate for the halftime whistle, Brandon Chapman broke down the left side following a pass in behind from Rory Dixon, who initially was fouled and asking for an advantage from the referee, the ball popped back into Brandons path, who wheeled away celebrating Meva's 4th. Gorran only half baked at half time trudged off.
Second half came with a message of calm, and game management. Use the ball out of play to our advantage and let the opposition panic.
Nathan Chapman was brought on to add more steel in the middle as challenges began to fly in a bit. With Brandon Chapman through on goal, seemingly clipped by the last man, Meva had a free kick in a dangerous area. Heads scratched as to why no card or caution was shown. 5-2 soon came, and a Gorran side looking for the waste bins to end a horrendous performance. Zach Smith Brokenshire having a fine game, winning possession back off a sleeping fullback, turned towards goal, arrowed a delightful curling effort clipping the post and nestling into the net.
Brandon Chapman would soon make it 6, after yet another goalkeeping error saw him parry an effort straight into a delightfully gracious Chappers who couldn't miss. Unfortunately, Chapman DID miss, what truly would have been goal of the season. Scott Daly Cruyff turning, nutmegging a fullback and nominating him for Gorran On Ice, down the left side, to then clip a ball towards an unmarked Brandon who sent a header towards goal only for the goalkeeper to pull off a fine stop.
More ice skates seemed to buckle for Sevengisseys next goal, with two defenders so intent on bringing down Chapman, that they would take each other out, leaving Chapman 1 on 1 with a goalkeeper who he would delicately chip the ball over into an empty net for his hat trick.
Game set match on a freezing day. Some fine goals scored and some great football played on a challenging surface. Bragging rights back down the 7 ( ? ) mile trip to Mevagissey. Onto next week for the last game before Christmas against Lostwithiel.
MOTM Scott Daly for putting the home side on ice so quickly. ⚽️⚽️⚽️. A close call between him & Brandon Chapman.
Shoutouts to subs who all made a difference. Massive team effort!