Four goal haul for Del Boy

A very well executed game plan saw Deeside 2s make a bold statement of intent for the coming season with a 6-1 win over Preston 2s.

The game was prevented from swinging Preston’s way early on as Deeside’s goalkeeper Anthony Birchall made an impressive save from a penalty stroke following a Preston penalty corner in the first five minutes. From that point on every Deeside player showed patience and maturity to follow player-coach Matt Cock’s clear plan. The first goal came from a Deeside penalty corner mid-way through the first half - Gabriel Tenner slotting home, another Deeside goal from the omnipotent Derek 'Del Boy' Millard-Smith saw a healthy but not unassailable 2 - 0 lead. The home team were given some hope however when they were able to pull one back from a penalty corner. Preston’s intentions to equalise quickly after half time were short lived as Deeside put away 2 goals within 2 minutes - Leech finishing off a mazy run by rounding the hapless keeper and rolling the ball into the open goal and Del Boy popping up for his second. From then on Deeside controlled the game with two more goals coming before the final whistle.

With just 11 players, Deeside made the ball do the work, there were impressive contributions from the Tenner brothers, Gabriel and Patrick, and Tom Clarke in midfield showed fantastic vision and pace to link superbly with forwards Charlie Leech and Abijay Chawda. Veteran centre forward Del Boy was very appreciative of the work put in by the younger lads enabling him to bag 4 open play goals. Chances went a plenty with Chawda hitting the post with the goal gaping and Del Boy shrugging off the years with a diving effort to try and make his fifth. Firm leadership from captain Lucas Galley was complemented by solid performances from senior players Geoff Price and Robbie Kroeze, to round off a near perfect team outing.