Having beaten bottom of the table Dudley Sports only weeks ago, Paget were looking to complete a quick fire double. With James Parker having taken over in the hot seat an expectant crowd gathered on a blustery afternoon at Coles Lane.
The gusting wind was clearly going to play a part in the game and both sides initially found it difficult to get the ball down and play. Still, with the game less than 15 minutes old the crowd were about to witness yet another goal of the season contender from Paget’s Louie Newbold. The young Paget man, picked up the ball in the inside left position and having cut inside to make himself some room, sent a dipping, curling, right foot shot from fully 30 yards into the top corner, leaving the Dudley Sports keeper with absolutely no chance.
With their tails up Paget began to dominate, although it was to Dudley’s credit that they hung in and began to show some attacking intent themselves. In fact following a good move the Paget defence were left static when a low cross from the left was swept into the net by Dudley forward Harry Bewick.
Half Time 1-1
After a fairly even finish to the first half Paget came out for the second half and showed greater intent from the off. With Ryan Butler getting through a tremendous amount of work in the middle of the park and young playmaker Ryan Tait, having his best game since returning to the Club, pulling the strings in midfield, Paget proceeded to first get the upper hand and then dominate for long spells.
Paget had brought on Tim Oyanda for Leslie Omoridion, down the right and the Paget youngster was soon linking up with full back Jamie Hyland, as Paget pressed for the lead. Anything these two could do down the right was being more than matched by Brad Pugh and Ronan Sheehan down the left, who were combining to create constant trouble for Dudley.
Eventually with so much possession Paget made their dominance pay and a fine ball found the ever willing Ryan Butler in the inside right position just inside the box. With only one thing in mind Butler struck a first time shot which was blocked by the Dudley Sports defender, although as the ball dropped back at his feet Butler produced an outrageous piece of skill, curling the ball with the outside of his right foot into the far corner of the net, for his first Paget goal! It’s been a long time coming but how Paget’s Captain on the day enjoyed that finish.
Paget were now firmly in the ascendency and Ronan Sheehan in particular was causing absolute havoc on the Paget left, with his pace, skill and direct running. Indeed, having got their heads in front the Bears third goal soon followed. Some great skill took Sheehan passed the Dudley full back to the byline, from where he produced a delicious cross to the far post where Tim Oyanda, showed tremendous desire to get in front of the Dudley defender as he rose to plant a bullet header into the top corner.
By this stage Paget were firmly in control and in truth could and perhaps should have had more goals to show for their efforts. Manager James Parker could have had no complaints though with the performance and the crowd were treated to 3 fantastic goals of the highest quality.
Full Time 3-1