Back to Richardson evans for the first home fixture of the 22/23 season, a chance to put right an opening day disappointment against prem new boys Ignatians.

Having won the toss and opted to defend the bush end first half, attack it second. Ignatians kicked off and sprung an early attack. An attack thwarted by our Adobe intern (it’s software if your didn’t know), Josh, who got his head up and sprayed a reaching pass over the right backs head for Barwick to attack. Beating the defender to the bouncing ball, with just the keeper to beat. A lob, side foot, take it round him? Somewhere in between all 3. Anyway, it went in. 1-0 after 2 mins.

The early goal seemed to stun Ignatians into action and in equal measure, Boro into inaction. The visitors playing through our lines with a little too much ease as they grew into the game. The biggest threat came from set pieces and by golly, we were accommodating. Affording them multiple needless set pieces and free kick on the edge of our box. Naturally, one of these resulted in the equaliser. A chance to clear spurned, their CB swivelled and slotted it home. 1-1.

That’s how it stayed till HT. Some response from Boro ahead of the break but much more needed from the attacking group and defensive unit in the second half.

The second half started on the front foot, attacking the bush end. 2 minutes in we won a corner, Sam Driver dinked one into the box for the onrushing Holt, completely unmarked (zonal?!), to rocket his header into the back of the net. 2-1.

This time Boro did not let up, Nitin, making his 3rd debut for the first team, got a foothold in the middle of the park, fizzing forward passes at every opportunity. Holt winning every header, “literally 100%” according to Des.

Confidence now flowing across the team, everyone wanted a touch. Playing out from the back - I’m not always a fan, but when you score goals like this 3rd goal, it would make any cynic a believer - Bakes to Muz, Muz to Mase, Mase to Driver, Driver to Muz, Muz to Barwick, Barwick to score. 3-1. One and two touch passing saw us (and Muz!) move from our 18 yard box to theirs in 5 near passes. Maybe 6 - soz if I missed anyone, it was a silky blur.

The good moves weren’t finished there, a punched pass into Barwick’s feet, now out on the right, saw him turn his man and jink around the outside of a couple of defenders before squaring one for Daddy Deano to ram it home at the near post. 4-1. Job done.

Great response to last week’s disappointment, season well and truly up and running. Roll on this week...if we can get there.