What a tremendous performance today against a strong and committed Saints team - and what a welcome return to winning ways. County looked really on-song from the very first minute when they played their best football of the season in an excellent opening 20 minutes.

The coaches had emphasised the need to keep cool and play passing football, despite the high stakes of playing against school-pals, friends, former team mates and fellow GSC members. And boy did all 15 County players step up to the mark!

An excellent passing move involving 5 county players, with Calum and Mark really spreading the ball about, ended with a goal bound header from Jack hitting a defender and Paul, laying a really strong claim for miss of the season, hit a right footer over the bar from 3 yards. Was it going to be one of those days? Not on your Nelly! Ten minutes later County were deservedly 2-0 up:

The first goal was a beautiful move down the right involving Leo, who was having a stormer at right back, and Joe, continuing his great run of form, playing the ball of the day to Jack who knocked it onto Craig at the near post. Craig pounced and slid it home.

The second was a mirror image with great play from Tom at left back, paying it up to Jack and laying it on for Paul to beautifully beat Tony in goal.

For the rest of the half, Saints pressed County back, but the defence, marshalled by Kevin and Tam (who have now forming an excellent defensive partnership), held firm. Lewis in goal was hardly tested at all but as usual, his handling was immaculate.

Michael's new tactic of jelly babies at half time was clearly working as County got into their stride straight away in the second half! The structure of the whole team was so good it was clear that the boys had been listening to Kevin, our new young professional coach. They all covered and supported well, talking to and encouraging each other through-out the match.(New coach Kevin rang me this afternoon to ask how we got on...I enjoyed telling him that his coaching paid-off).

The coaches are always reminding the boys the 16 players make up our team, (15 today plus the injured Michael Goold supporting from the sidelines), and we know how frustrating and difficult it is when you are sub. But all subs came on early in the second half, improved the game, and displayed their skill and commitment as County purred into a four goal lead with a cracking third by Craig, then a magnificent overhead back heel with his right foot, for our fourth by Jack...a 'scorpion kick' from a corner, unbelievable! Well done Jack.

Anton showed his versatility with a confident display at left-mid and Euan was equally impressive at right-mid, and right back. Liam also made a great impression when he came on with some fine runs with the ball, and great determination to win a penalty. Liam strode up confidently and was unlucky to see it hit the post and go wide.

However, one of the best pieces of teamwork and commitment in the whole game came from Duggie: it was late in the game with the win in the bag, and Duggie was up for our corner and Saints broke out and mounted a dangerous attack, so Duggie sprinted all the way back to his own penalty box, got a tackle in and helped clear the danger. Now that is what we call commitment! Well done Duggie.

So the game ended 4-0 and it was County's best performance of the year so far...the TEAMWORK was fantastic. All parts of the team were impressive and we played though the midfield for the first time for a while. Well done to every single one of you.

Craig just pipped Tam Q and Jack for coaches' MOM award. Tom G got supporters' MOM. Well done you two.

Dispute the score line, Saints kept County under pressure for spells, and their Goalkeeper (Tony) played well and was not at fault for any of the goals. They never gave up, and were unlucky not to score when they hit the bar. This was a tough but very fair match played in good spirit. Well done to both teams.

Training on Tues and Thurs this week.

C*M on you Piess!!!!!!!!!!