After winning the first 3 games of the season, RHP were on their travels again, this time away to Newark Flowserve.
Some brilliant encounters have been had between the two sides, including the last time the two teams met, which saw a thrilling game finish 5-5 at the end of last season.

RHP wearing the away black and white strip two weeks running had 8 players missing due to injury and work commitments.

The starting lineup included Ryan Ashley stepping in for Kieran Conway in goal. The very consistent Nick Walker started at centre back alongside Jordan Boas who returned from suspension. Luke McClymont and Joe Stanley occupied the full back positions as they have done all season so far.

Rhys Stanley and Rhuel Samuels both started on the wings. Joe Powell returned to the side in central midfield alongside Tom Hill who also returned after an injury set back. Chris Self captained the side upfront with Adam Boddy playing just behind him in the number 9 role.

Stefan Bilyk was available on the bench, alongside new signing Lewis Stott who was recruited by Dave McClymont. Conor Scott had baby sitting duties but made himself available on the bench for a brief cameo.

Controversially, Daryl Price started for the home side after leaving RHP soon after the Collingham game. He would be after a goal for his new side, but the away side would want to make sure he didn’t put the ball in the back of the net.

The game kicked off, and the signs of a classic were evident early on as a few tasty challenges were exchanged between the sides.
Rob Townsend would have his work cut out as both sides were showing no mercy in attempts to win the ball from their opponents.

Both sides patterned some early chances but the finishing wasn’t up to scratch early on as many sailed way over the bar.

First blood went to the away side however. A tackle on the edge of the area saw a free kick awarded to RHP. Chris Self hovered over the ball and weighed up his options before curling a beautiful effort over the goalkeeper and into the far corner to make it 1-0. A textbook free kick and a lovely goal to open proceedings.

This goal gave RHP plenty of confidence in the game, as they continued to press and get another goal.

This came moments later as a lovely passing move freed up space down the left hand side in which Chris Self took the ball down brilliantly and chipped a lovely ball into the box toward Adam Boddy who had plenty of space round him. Adam wrapped his foot around the ball on the full volley and smashed home to make it 2-0.
A brilliant flowing move finished superbly by the target man.

The game slowed down a little after the two goals and the game entered a scrappy stage as balls were being mispassed and tackles were mistimed.

RHP were then dealt an unlucky hand as a rare break away for Flowserve resulted in a goal. The midfielder hit a speculative effort which looked to be going wide, until it hit an unsuspecting Jordan Boas and ended up going into the back of the net. Ryan Ashley was completely wrong footed in the RHP net and Flowserve suddenly halved the deficit in a flash.

This didn’t deter the away side however as they quickly recovered from this and soon took charge of the game once again, pressing high and pushing for more goals as they sensed the defence of Flowserve couldn’t handle the pace.

The chances came thick and fast for RHP as they continued to dominate in midfield and create many chances but the finishing just wasn’t good enough as the half time whistle came and put an end to the first half.

A dominant display so far by the away side who looked on track to make it 4 wins and maintain there 100% record. The own goal a slight setback and they would want to come out in the second half and make sure they captured the next goal.

And capture the next goal they did. RHP came out in the second half with plenty of bite and aggression and continued the press, and this got them the 4th goal of the game and RHP’s all important third. A brilliant flowing move from the away side saw Chris Self put the ball in the back of the net to make it 3-1. The striker peeled off his man brilliantly and finished expertly into the corner to start the second half perfectly for RHP.

With more attacking play from RHP, they made it 4-1 shortly after with another brilliant flowing move to set Rhys Stanley on his way towards goal. The winger gave the goalkeeper the eyes and slotted the ball past his right hand and into the bottom corner and finish off a lovely passage of play.

RHP were relentless in the second half with the attacks and kept pressing the defence and really tire the Flowserve backline.

Some more great passing led to the ball becoming free down the right hand side. The ball was driven into a crowded penalty area by Rhys Stanley in which Chris Self and a defender fought for the ball for it to end up in the back of the net. 5-1.
The Flowserve defender could have been credited with the own goal but Chris Self claimed the goal in true centre forward style and got the rewards. His hat trick complete.

Substitutions were made which saw Stefan Bilyk take to the field to replace Tom Hill who picked up a worrying knock. New signing Lewis Stott also made his first appearance coming on for Rhuel Samuels.

Lewis Stott having been on the pitch a few moments, made an instant impression. A long ball headed on by Adam Boddy was met by Lewis Stott who ran at the Flowserve defence before cutting inside and smashing an arrow into the top corner of the net to leave the Flowserve keeper hopeless. A stunning strike for the debutant.

RHP were running away with the game now and started to really embarrass Flowserve in their own back garden.

Conor Scott came on for the final 15 minutes which would turn out to be a very impressive and productive cameo.

With his first touches of the game, he closed down a loose ball to steal it away from the Flowserve winger from a corner and run 50 yards with the ball. He then curled an inch perfect pass into the path of Chris Self who took one touch to get the ball out of his feet and curl a spectacular effort from just outside the box into the far top corner which went in off the post to make it 7-1.

Chris Self getting his fourth goal of the game and looking like the dangerous centre forward he has always been praised for.

Another loose ball was won in the centre by a superb RHP midfield. A ball was clipped forward to Conor Scott who leaped high to control the ball beautifully and slip the ball past the defender. The defender could only trip him over and stop Conor Scott from bearing down on goal. The centre back was lucky to walk away with just a yellow.

The referee Rob Townsend did however reach for his red card moments later as he sent off the Flowserve full back for dissent, after a 50/50 challenge went RHP’s way. The full back disagreed with the decision and made his thoughts known to the referee which saw him see red for his angry exchange with the ref.

From the resulting free kick near the corner flag, the ball was pumped into the box for it to be headed towards goal by Jordan Boas and saved brilliantly by the goalkeeper.
Conor Scott followed up the rebound with a ferocious volley which was palmed towards the back post and headed in by a poaching Joe Powell to make it 8-1 late on. A goal fully deserved for the midfielder who again had a very strong game in the middle of the park. And a second assist for Conor Scott who showed the managers his versatility playing well in his 15 minute attacking cameo.

In the dying seconds of the game, a long ball was slotted through the Flowserve backline and into the path of an onside Chris Self.
The striker took a heavy touch and slid in to retrieve the ball to only smash into the Flowserve goalkeeper. The tackle was a little heavy and left the goalkeeper in a heap on the floor to which the referee blew the full time whistle to bring the game to end a couple of minutes early.

The game coming to an end for a very relieved Newark Flowserve. Some very close games between these two sides previously but this one was a completely different story. RHP looked stronger, fitter and much more alert in front of goal. A deserved score line for the away side who were rampant in victory.

Newark Flowserve will be going back to the drawing board for their next game and will be desperate to try and rectify the mistakes that caused them to leak so many goals and attempts today.

Neil Reilly said “We were sensational today. Ryan Ashley kept Daryl Price at bay and the defence were brilliant also in keeping him quiet. The midfield worked really hard and made many chances which is exactly what we look for from them. Chris Self looked brilliant today and we will be hoping he can continue this form for the rest of the season as his goals will be key for us”

Dave McClymont added “I was very impressed with the performance. We were solid at the back, strong in midfield and composed upfront. We had the perfect balance today. I am especially impressed with the subs that came on and also made a difference. They all added an extra bit to our game and all played a part in a goal today. Brilliant from everyone”.

RHP making it 4 wins out of 4 and maintaining the 100% record. They sit top of the league and will be majorly impressed with the severe goal difference they have over the other sides in the league. The perfect start for the Green and Whites.

Next up for RHP is an eagerly anticipated return home to face Grantham side FC Genes. A strong opponent who have always had well drilled sides. Another tough test but with a performance like the one against Flowserve here, there won’t be many teams that will dislodge this impressive looking RHP side.