Report

NORMAL SERVICE IS RESUMED AT THE DEAN

Cookham Dean were almost back to full strength for the visit of the current Senior Division Champions - and after a scintillating first half performance they ensured all three points were won and a welcome return to form for Karl Curtis's side.

Pavi Bhangoo got the ball rolling for the home side when he scored a scorcher after just five minutes when he cut in from the right to let fly with a powerful shot that crashed in off the bar.
Live wire striker Nathan Lishman then reacted brilliantly to Jon Schaaf's excellent pass to double the lead on 25 minutes - and at 2-0 there was only really going to be one winner in this contest.

In between the goals Lishman had been denied by an alert YM keeper and Schaaf had also seen his shot on the turn well saved - as a rampant Cookham pinned the visitors back in the opening stages.

Schaaf was unlucky on the half hour when he again tested the keeper following a flowing Cookham move which deserved better. In fact the chances were now stacking up - and if the Dean had taken half of their chances they would have been out of sight by the break.
As it was the side turned around at the interval with the score-line still at 2-0 to the Dean.

Kevin Ford was unlucky straight after the re-start with a fierce drive that could so easily have made it three as the Dean looked to carry on where they had left off at half time.

However YMCA almost upset the odds when they conjured up their first real opportunity soon afterwards - but brave goal keeping from Nick Bovingdon protected the lead when the keeper saved instinctively with his leg when a goal seemed certain for the visitors striker.

Cookham enjoyed long spells of possession in the second half but YM again went close themselves on the hour - but poor finishing let them down when they did threaten.

Substitute Dean Knight who had replaced the injured Schaaf - sent a pile driver goalwards after 70 minutes but the home side simply could not add to the score - but in the end it was a comfortable victory that the side had thoroughly deserved.

Karl Curtis said afterwards- " The whole team played very well, it was nice to have a full squad to pick from" - he continued" from the defence through midfield to our outstanding forwards, you cannot really pick out individuals but big Webby , Nathan, Schaafy and Pavi were different class in what was a great team effort today ".

Action Gallery ( Appologies for the new Picture Format - We are working on it to put things right - Left Click to enlarge * Press Esc to return to normal ( I hope )

1. Pavi scored a cracker
2. Nathan scores
3. the scorers celebrate
4. Dave Saunders leaps highest
5. Bov makes a clean catch