A third was not long in coming as striking powerhouse Jim Green maintained his phenomenal scoring record by converting a cross from O'hagan, who is proving a success in his new berth on the right. Always available, he is also capable of producing quality crosses. This is also true of Jon Robinson, who, when fit, is probably the team's most technically gifted player. A Robinson cross supplied the fourth goal. The long, hanging cross was met by Wakeford's cushioning header as Green continued a well timed run to stroke it into the left hand corner.

The pattern continued as Mills showed that there is much more to his game than the power and control he exerts as centre-back 'rock'. Running down the inside right, onto a fine slotted ball from Buffery, he skipped past the full-back and sent a well-struck cross to the back post. Wakeford's volley hit the underside of the bar, but Buffery had continued his run to be on hand to hit a fine low shot into the far corner from the edge of the box.

Athletic, although outclassed and out-muscled throughout the match, were still competitive in the first half and they received some reward for their efforts when stand-in keeper Jon Flood showed first match nerves when dropping a speculative cross/shot into his own net. Amazingly, from this highly unpromising start, Flood proved to be a highly competent replacement for the excellent but missing Richard Hall. A succession of high quality saves followed this early gaffe, the best of which were a spreading of the feet to cut out a shot from close range that seemed destined for the onion bag, and a fearsome rush out to dive at the feet of a startled attacker.

The final act of the half brought Green's hatrick. An Athletic attack broke-down on the edge of the cricket's area. Creasy found Wakeford, Wakeford found Robinson, Robinson found Green and Green found the net. Arsenalesque maybe.

6-0 at halftime gave the crickets the chance to experiment with the line up. Wakeford and Green reluctantly swopped their forward berths with Mills and Nicholson who had kept a tight ship at the back. This inevitably brought about a few scares with Wakeford in particular mixing heroic last-ditch tackles with reckless crossfield passes. Green, despite a hunger to roam forward, was as effective at the back as he is up front, (as I'm sure many a Yorkshire lass can confirm).

Meanwhile, Mills and Nicholson both showed that they posses more skill than your average English centre-halfs. Nicholson helped himself to two goals in quick succession. Firstly he ran onto one of Creasy's many astute passes and smashed the ball into the top left hand corner. His second was more straightforward but still well taken. These goals seemed merely to whet Nicholson's appetite for more, a situation that brought about one of the champagne moments of a game overflowing with them. An Andy van Hale free kick from left midfield was well met by Robinson and the ball was destined for the far right corner. Nicholson, who had his back to the goal, instinctively moved across to the ball, controlled it perfectly and finished from one yard. Hatrick complete Nicholson got down to his celebration routine, which was cut cruelly short by the linesman's flag and a few choice words from the disgruntled Robinson.

Robinson's mood was not improved a couple of minutes later when another fine header was athletically saved by Camden's keeper, only to fall at the feet of Wakeford who was making his only foray of the half into the oppositions penalty box. Another hatrick was duly completed, but it must be noted that both Robinson and Creasy could have scored as many given better fortune.
Champagne moment contender number two came with virtually the first kick of the second half. Mills, whose move forward was partly an attempt to provide the reward of a first goal of the season, having been responsible for preventing so many at the other end, was fed on the run by Hale. Lining up a special on the edge of the box the hapless Mills launched his right foot at the ball, but caught it on the edge of a divot causing him to somersault forward and past the target of his venom. Athletic's defence, choking back the laughter, tidied up behind him and the game went on. Mills continued to lend support up front despite having his shooting capacity weakened by the damaged ankle. Nevertheless, after a couple of dress rehearsals, he did open his account, coolly slotting home from near the penalty spot. Nobody has done more for the team this season and the warmth of his team's congratulations reflected this. Now only Salman Ali, the brains behind the NLCFC defence, has yet to score this season.
The final goal came when O'hagan received his reward for the quality he had supplied others throughout the match. Moving onto a loose ball he hit firmly home across a diving keeper from 17 yards.

Another excellent crickets performance despite the lack of real challenge from the opposition. The result significantly improves their goal difference thus making their lead at the top of the table more secure. There is only one promotion slot available and it is vital that it is claimed to avoid too many mismatches such as this occurring next season. The table at the Halfway Point is reproduced below, (minus this weeks result). Next Sunday brings the quarter final of the divisional Cup in which NLCFC entertain old rivals Camden Musicians at home.


                                           p w l d   f    a   pts
LONDON CRICKETS      7 6 1 0 35 11  19
MUSIC CHOICE               8 6 1 1 39 16  19
DUKES HEAD                   7 3 1 2 21 13  10
BRITISH SAMURAI          6 1 1 4 13 30    5
LOS ANDES                      6 1 0 5 10 22    3
CAMDEN ATHLETIC       6 0 0 6 13 41    0