The U17 Predators once again showed their quality in a matchup with Wargrave Wolves Reds in the chilly morning sunshine.
With 2 of the settled back four recovering from injury, it was somewhat of a makeshift defence for this game. However, you wouldn't have been able to tell, as the back line was as solid as ever. It is the ability to find the back of the net that is the big difference this season. They have now scored 16 goals in 3 games and conceded 3.

The Predators started the game with intensity again and after the initial exchanges it looked set up to be an even contest. That all changed when Pinewood began to use the width on offer to control possession. Having forced some early corners the delivery unusually lacked height as the team came to terms with the chill wind blowing across the pitch.

The opening goal came on 15mins when a throw in by Max sent Harry W in behind the Wargrave defence where he cooly finished, slotting the ball past the imposing keeper. Soon after Harry got his and Pinewoods second of the game after a throughball by Mario was misjudged by the goalie. The mistake allowed the hard working striker to eventually capitalise after it initially looked like the keeper had recovered, only for the ball to slip from his control and present Harry with the easiest goal he will score all season, rolling it backwards over the line with his studs and looking more surpised than anyone, having thought the chance had gone.

Pinewood kept the pressure on and persisted with working the wings where Kai was having a lot of success. Having won a few freekicks in dangerous areas he eventually broke through on goal after a run and a delightful one-two with the ever impressive Vinny. He couldn't make the most of the chance, firing just wide of the far post. In a frenetic final 10mins of the half the Predators forced 2 magnificent saves from the Wargrave goalie, who palmed one effort around the post at full stretch and followed that with an even better save, somehow tipping a well struck, goalbound shot onto the bar to leave the game in the balance at 2-0 and the lads knew the next goal would be critical.

The game was still anyones, with Wargrave were, too regularly, finding space in the midfield to bring the ball down and pick their passes. They were also quick on the press, closing the ball down effectively as the first 45mins came to an end.

The second half began with Max up front and he had an immediate impact to dispel any doubts about the result and make it 3-0. Mason provided the throughball which was weighted perfectly for Max to beat the defender and keeper to it, his composed finish bouncing over the line into the net vacated by the rushing goalie.

It was a rare mistake by Logan that allowed Wargrave to get one back, misjudging a clearance and missing the ball under pessure from the attacker. The cleansheet was gone but Pinewood had already done the damage up the other end.

Kai and Mario were working tirelessly on the wings and causing problems for the Wargrave defence and when the ball came to Kai in the box he looked to have missed his chance of hitting it first time instead chosing to work the ball wider. With the defender trying to shield the ball out of play Kai somehow managed to nick it back on the byline and lay it on for Jay to hammer in his second goal in as many games.

All that was left was for Alex's customary goal to complete the scoring and it came with 10 minutes left. Racing onto a throughball from Max and under pressure from the defender and keeper he managed to get, what looked to be, an unlikely toe on the ball to deftly lift it over the keeper to take his tally to 5 in 3 and maintain his record of scoring in every game, a record currently shared by Max this campaign.

The discussion for Player of the Match was a difficult one with Leo's commanding defensive performance and composure to get out of trouble, Harry J's superb defensive display despite being in an unfamiliar position, Kai's creativity on the wing taking on defenders and Max pulling strings all over the pitch, amongst those discussed. It was however deservedly given to Vinny, a player who was many peoples' choice last week and who built on that performance with another solid game where he did the right thing all game and did it very well.