La Chiesa celebrated their arrival in Upminster with their first ever victory.
Played against Barn Sports U-18's, (it literally was Men against Boys), LCDC rattled in 5 goals, just as Hornchurch
United, a formative version of La Chiesa, had in May.
Played in the idyllic surrounding of Coopers Coborn School, LCDC recivied a much needed confidence
booster following their defeat at Woodford Hammers last week. After surviving early pressure from the youngsters, the deadlock
was broken by Danny Sales, who showed great pace to run half the length of the pitch, and strength to hold off his marker, before
firing in from 12 yards.
LCDC's defence, marshalled by John Riley, with able assistance from Mark Harris, Chris Bulmer,
& Danny Trew filling in at left back, seemed to be holding Barn at bay but they were caught out by a cross shot
that crept under Danny Hardwick and it looked as though at half time scores would be level. Just
before the break though, La Chiesa regained the lead when Sam Knowles hit a first time shot from just outside the area that
beat Barns Keeper, who will probably feel that he could have done better.
2-1 to the home side at half time, when the entertainment was provided by the U-18 sides girlfriends,
who sat there looking like film stars, whilst men pushing thirty years of age looked on mesmerised!
It seemed as though La Chiesa had their minds on things other than the game when they allowed
Terry Dobson, the best Barn Sports player on the pitch, to equalise in the first minute of the second half. Would La Chiesa
still be waiting for that elusive first win their fans were left asking theirselves???
A move down the right involving a great run from Sims, a backheel from Matt Gillham, and
a cool sidefoot finish from Sales went some way to answering that question, and La Chiesa made it 4-2 soon after when Sims
rounded the keeper and fired into the roof of the net.
Danny Hardwick made a some fine saves to keep Barn at bay, and the victory was rounded off
when Benny Gillham cheekily lobbed the keeper late on in pure G-Man style to make it five!
A job well done by LCDC, they are unbeaten at their new home, and travel to Goodmayes Park
next week to take on Lakeview Reserves with most of the squad back, and confidence at an all time high!
LCDC; (4-4-2) D Hardwick; Harris, Riley, Bulmer, Trew; Knowles, B Gillham,
Hodsoll, Sims; M Gillham, Sales
