On a cold and (very) wet morning the Pythons met the Predators at Edgbarrow for the first league Pinewood Derby of the season. With all players eager to play, there was a rare treat for the coaches as both teams arrived at full strength with Benn Staines passing a late fitness test for the Pythons and the full contingent of Predators players available for selection. A late pitch inspection cleared the match to proceed, and the coaches delivered the pre-match instructions with Pythons encouraged to use last weeks defeat to Wokingham Town to spur them on and up the work rate on the pitch. A tough ask in wet conditions.

The sides kicked off with the Predators chomping at the bit and winning the loose balls in their final third, putting pressure on the Pythons back line from the outset. Pythons midfielders were slow to close down space and allowed Predators to whip in a ball from the right which bobbled on the wet surface in front of the unfortunate Josh Hawkes, and as he tried to clear he only succeeded in slicing the ball into the back of his own net. 1-0 Predators after only 2 minutes of the match. Not the start the Pythons wanted. The game settled into more of a rhythm thereafter and Jackson Williams relentless running up front for Pythons began to push the Predators back. Sam Clark and Oli Thompson in midfield started to win their 50/50 tackles and Teddy Green's runs out wide were also causing problems. A number of chances fell the Pythons way with some smart through balls between the lines starting to yield results. Teddy Green found himself through 1 on 1 with the keeper but dragged his effort inches wide of the far post, before in a mirror image move Jackson did the same. Jackson also found himself with space in the box and hammered a shot towards goal which flew over the Predators keeper only to smash back off the crossbar. Nevaan Patil, always tricky out wide for the Pythons, also found himself with space in the box but after a smart first touch was smothered by the recoverin Predators back line. The Predators looked dangerous on the break, with some long balls finding the space between the Pythons midfield and Defence well, keeping Finley on his toes in goal and needing Josh and Fabio Farella to sweep up and prevent further Predators chances. Will Taylor and Daniel Parikos were introduced after 20 minutes for Nevaan and Sam, and the changes quickly made a difference as Daniel found Teddy racing in on goal and a deft lob over the keeper found the back of the net. 1-1, and we were back level. Zabi and Benn were introduced for Zach and Tegwyn as the Pythons pushed forward, but the Predators held firm and we reached half-time deadlocked at 1-1.

The coaches spoke again about the need to increase the work rate, but acknowledged the improvement over the half after a slow start. Pythons looked eager to get back out and after a number of changes to even out the playing time for the players, Sam, Tegwyn, Zach and Nevaan were re-introduced, allowing Teddy, Ollie, Teddy and Leo some rest after a tough first half. The half-time talk proved fruitful as the Pythons started quickly, retaining possession and pushing the Predators deeper into their own half.3 minutes into the half Jackson received the ball 30 yards out, swivelled and found Zabi in the penalty area. Zabi beat his man, steadied himself, before rifling a shot past the stranded keeper - 2-1 Pythons. Pythons now looked in control, with Predators remaining dangerous on the break but finding it harder to retain possession and being turned towards their own goal too much. Benn marshalled the tricky Predators winger well, showing great strength and focus, and Zach was beginning to pull the strings in midfield with some lovely passes through the lines. Jackson was rested with Ollie returning to the fray, and only two minutes later a foul in the box saw Pythons awarded a penalty. With usual penalty taker Jackson off the pitch, Sam Clark stepped up and despatched a fine strike to put the Pythons 3-1 ahead. Further changes followed and play ebbed and flowed with both the Freddie's looking dangerous for the Predators, but Pythons defence - led by the impressive Will Taylor - held firm and, after 59 minutes Zabi found Teddy racing through on goal with a sublime through ball and this time Teddy made no mistake, slotting home his second goal and the Pythons fourth. 4-1. Pythons had further chances, with Tegwyn going close from a corner which found him free at the near post, but ss the game moved towards the end the Predators pushed forward and nearly got a goal back after a foul just outside the box by Josh allowed Freddie Groenen to curl a free kick agonisingly wide. Freddie went one better with the final kick of the match, when a penalty was awarded for a foul by Zach which he slotted into the corner past the despairing dive of Fin in the Pythons goal to leave the final score at 4-2 Pythons.

A tough game, as derbys always are, in wet and tricky conditions for both teams. Both sides were a credit to the club and played out a match in the right spirits, hard, competitive but fair throughout. Both sides could have scored more but in the end the result was probably a fair outcome. Player of the Match for the Pythons went to Teddy Green for a two goal display complimented by confident running which caused no end of problems for the Predators back line. Honourable mentions to Zabi for a lung-busting display in midfield, Josh for not letting the OG get him down and putting in a dominant defensive display thereafter, Finley for a exceptional display of handling in goal in wet and slippery conditions, Will Taylor (as always) for the composed and calm display we needed in a hotly contested match, and Leo for another fabulous display at full-back.