The final home game of the season saw the visit of Mildenhall to the Recreation Ground. The away side were lying two places and a point clear of Girton in seventh, so victory for Girton would see them leap frog their opponents with one game remaining.
The basking sunshine that had welcomed us over the last week or so had disappeared and the rain began to fall, making the surface slightly wet but a delight to play football on.
After the 2-2 draw at the weekend Girton wanted to end the home campaign on a high, currently unbeaten in five but knowing that a young Mildenhall side would enjoy the pitch and look to play football.
The Girton side lined up with Jack Stevens in goal, Si Pawley, Ged Sylvester and Craig Chapman at the back. Left side was Nick Edwards and on the right Joe Waller. A midfield three of Steve Barker, Michael Frost and Adam Peachey just in front. Leading the line were Aaron Maskell and Sean O'Boyle.
The opening exchanges were pretty even. Mildenhall played some intricate flowing football that had Girton on the back foot, individually the young players from the away side were technically very good, this was quickly realised and Girton switched to a 4-4-2 to combat the slick passing.
The formation change had a great affect on the game and Girton began to dominate, using their superior strength coupled with the ability to play their own football to get on top of the game.
The opening goal came after great persistence by Steve Barker and the Joe Waller, who was eventually brought down in the box after nicking the ball past the full back.
Aaron Maskell stepped up to fire home from the spot for his 21st goal of an impressive season.
Girton stayed on the front foot as Mildenhall's passing football seemed to desert them. Girton began to knock the ball around effortlessly. Frost was seeing plenty of the ball in the middle and was spreading the play delightfully to the flanks, Mildenhall just couldn't cope.
The second goal of the game came towards the end of the half, it was Maskell again, but this time it was all his own work. The striker took the ball past two players, got a bit of luck as it bounced beyond another defender, but the finish was sublime, rocketing the ball beyond the outstretched arm of the keeper. 2-0
Girton went in at the break two goals to the good. A couple of player boot changes and more of the same, the football was excellent to watch and a joy to play.
The second half saw Girton dominate and Mildenhall really collapse under the pressure. Girton made it three nil on 55 minutes when Maskell again fired home via a deflection for his hat-trick. The goal came courtesy of some fine work by Sean O'Boyle down the right channel, he side stepped the defender before cutting it back to Maskell to fire home his 23rd of the season.
The fourth followed shortly. O'Boyle was sent clear and his excellent volley was clawed away by the keeper for a corner. From the resulting corner a flick on by Ged Sylvester was met at the back post by Simon Pawley to nod home from a yard. 4-0
Mildenhall heads had well and truly dropped and it was a question of how many would Girton score. Maskell had a chance to get his fourth but his left foot volely from 8 yards was tame and straight at the keeper.
Girton made a change with 20 minutes remaining. Rob Belsom replaced Craig Chapman at right back and after a ropey first touch suddenly found himself in on goal but his powerful drive was well parried by the keeper.
The fifth goal wasn't long in coming, as it came from the resulting corner. Frost swung the ball in left footed and the OX who was 4ft taller than any Mildenhall player rose to power the header home beyond the hapless keeper, it was great reward for a player who has stepped up to the first team and really made the most of every opportunity he has had. 5-0
Ten minutes remaining, cue the arrival of twenty jaffa cakes a game man Matt Mee, replacing Peachey and slotting in up front alongside the tireless Sean O'Boyle.
Girton were still pushing and with Mildenhall all at sea at the back a long ball over the top allowed Matt Mee to race on to it (I say race, I mean waddle, I mean maybe break a sweat). With the keeper back peddling Mee chose to try the lob, the execution was perfect the outcome was even better as the ball nestled in the bottom corner. Matt Mee and the five man crowd went crazy. It was Mee's first goal in four years and has been something he has been desperate to change as in the past seasons even the Girton keeper has scored more. It was a great moment for him and something I think all the lads secretly enjoyed, but we wont be telling him that. After the Klinsmann dive and Ged rubbing his face in the mud Mee got up and the game restarted. 6-0
Their was time one final goal. Frost latched on to a through ball set himself and slotted through the legs of the keeper. 7-0
It was a fine performance from Girton and a great way to end the season at home. One more game away to League Champions Lakenheath. Lets put in a performance and then enjoy the Player of the Year Evening later on.
Well done to all.