Sheffield Wednesday Home Won 4 – 0
With Edozie out for a few weeks and Aribo out in Africa, Fraser was a shoe-in to face Sheffield Wednesday, especially after his match winning display against mighty Walsall. Flynn was now able to last 90 minutes and Adams partnered Adam Armstrong which meant a choice of two out of three among Smallbone, Stuart Armstrong and Alcaraz, with the Argentinian missing out. The selection of two forwards was proved correct after 35 minutes with a goal that came out of very little: Wednesday conceded a needless throw and the ball found its way to Adam Armstrong whose low cross was allowed through to Adams who sidestepped his marker before tapping past Dawson – neatly done. Dawson continued to take his time wherever possible and despite the deficit but at least Danny Rőhl (Ralph’s former #2) can read the scoreboard and he brought on two half-time substitutes. That sort of thing usually confuses a Russell Martin team, but Saints continued on top before some sloppiness seemed to set in around the hour. That seemed to prompt a return of the Rőhl press that had nearly brought a first minute goal when Bazunu lost control. The problem with the press is that there must be gaps behind it and we soon saw a couple of Armstongs running clear from Adams’ pass; Stuart passed to Adam who was in acres of space and his shot past Dawson was just about crossing the line when Bernard’s desperate attempt to clear sent the ball into the roof of the net – clearly an Adam Armstrong goal, though. That left the Owls with an awful lot to do, although a free kick on the very edge of the area gave an opportunity that was denied by a good Bazunu save. The visitors’ task was soon impossible when Adam Armstrong again had plenty of space and this time he squared the ball for Fraser to arrive late and guide it first time into the bottom corner. Only now did Russell turn to the bench, bringing on Alcaraz and Mara, and Mara had a simple task for number four, thanks to a hat trick of assists for Adam Armstrong. The win was, in fact, as comprehensive as the scoreline and took the club to second place for a while as Ipswich prepared for an evening kick off.
Three LSSC Man of the Match candidates to choose from:
2. Kyle Walker-Peters. Maybe the ‘makeweight’ in this trio, but I’ve thought that before about eventual winners of the popular vote.
9. Adam Armstrong. A goal and three assists tells its own story. He also had a shot kicked off the line, but he ought really have scored that one!
26. Ryan Fraser. adding to a goal tally that was already impressive for an irregular starter.
Become a Member
Become a member of London Saints from as little as £5.