Catholic United extended their unbeaten run to four games, with a 4-2 home win against Hashtag United Development, a scoreline which didn't tell the true extent of the victory.
Despite hitting the bar twice in the opening minutes, the hosts took the lead within four minutes, forward Danny Hurford grabbed a debut goal with a smart shot which left the keeper no chance, following good work by Frank Craik. Craik was on hand again a minute late, firing a cross to the back post for Hurford to score his second in as many minutes.
Essex Bhoys keeper Woody Wells was brought into play in the 13th minute, a great save with his legs in a on-on-one. Five minutes later, Mike Sammut broke the offside trap but his close range shot was well saved by the Tags keeper. Moments later, Jake Chaplin got his shot away under a challenge but the ball was cleared off the line, to various shouts of a goal needing to be awarded. Tom Elliott was next with a rasping shot, which the keeper pushed wide to his left. No word of a lie, the hosts could have easily been 5 or 6 goals up at this stage, the game only being 25 minutes old.
On the half hour, Tom Elliott's shot was straight down the keepers throat, either side of the keeper with the power generated would have seen the Essex Bhoys secure a third goal.
Half Time: Catholic Utd 2-0 Hashtag Utd Dev
The Tags grabbed a goal back within minutes of the restart, but Craik could have extended the lead once again a few minutes later, the keeper on hand to save well at his near post. The Essex Bhoys lost forward Ben Burrows just before the hour, pulling his left hamstring whilst bursting through and lifting the ball over the bar. The anguish on his face certainly told the painfulness of the injury.
With twenty minutes to play, substitute Sam Millen scored his first goal for the first team. His initial shot was charged down but it fell nicely for the follow up which he powered past a defender and the keepers right hand. Barely a minute later, an Aaron Clark corner gave young defender Frankie Senior a run into the box and his header bounced down and into the net, securing his first goal for the club.
Hashtag Utd Development pulled a goal back with fifteen to play, but the scoreline stayed the same despite further chances to improve the goal difference.
A big test awaits next weekend as Simon Thomas takes his side to leaders Old Southendian.