A beautiful evening and a fantastic pitch awaited the reserves as they took on league leaders Sawston United at the Recreation Ground.
Girton buoyed by the weekends victory away at promotion chasing JM Sports only made minor adjustments to the side with Frost coming in on the left hand side of a three pronged attack and Mark Tickner dropping in at left back to give Bel Horno a much deserved rest.
Sawston turned up to the game boasting a fine record in the league with just one defeat to near neighbours Sawston Rovers. Girton well aware of this new that to stand a chance they had to upset the rhythm of the BIS Galactico's, get in their faces, win the battle, and then play football.
The opening exchanges were pretty even with the both sides sussing each other out. Girton looked to play the ball into the ever impressive Dave Moore who's hold up play was excellent throughout and allowed Verrinder and Frost join in form the wide areas.
With three in midfield Girton got on top and began to find space beyond the Sawston midfield duo. Twice Verrinder got down the right and crossed to the far post but Frost was stretching on both occasions and couldn't apply the finish the balls deserved.
Sawston at the other end looked to knock the ball into feet, but were finding it hard to break Girton down, the end result was a few snap shots bringing keeper Smithy into action on a couple of occasions.
As the half drew on the league leaders frustrations mounted and they seemed to contest every little decision, questioning the referee on throw-ins, corners, free-kicks and even the half time whistle. The score remained 0-0 as the sides went into the break.
HT 0-0
The half time team talk was simple, keep going, don't give them time, get the ball to feet a bit more and build attacks through midfield. It was clear from the first half that Sawston felt a devine right to turn up and stroll through the game, but Girton didn't read the script and came out for the second half ready to take the game to the visitors.
The battle in the middle of the park was being won by Ged, Butch and Olly, while the first half threat up front seemed to get easier as Davo and Rob cleaned anything and everything up. Girton were on the front foot and pushing, V-Man was beginning to drift causing Sawston to lose shape and Dave Moore's work rate and application up front was fantastic, simple but affective football.
It was a simple and very affective corner that lead to the Girton opener. Frost swung in a left footed near post corner and Ged Sylvester rose to head home his 3rd goal in as many games. Sawston were shell shocked. 1-0
Girton then grabbed the all important second goal. Dave Moore chased what was surely a lost cause down the right; he not only managed to keep the ball in but also se up an attack, as the ball ricocheted off a defender in the box, the ever willing Andy Butcher latched on to the lose ball, composed himself and struck the ball home via the legs of the keeper. 15 minutes remaining, 2-0 and Sawston looked dead and buried.
To their credit the away side picked up the pace, Girton made a couple of changes bringing on Neil Jenkins for Dave Archer for some fresh legs and also bringing on Phil Wright for the Dave Moore.
On the back foot Girton were holding strong, Sawston again were restricted to half chances and anything they did offer was cleared, if not at the first attempt but at the second by a tiring Girton defence.
However they found a way through as Girton were caught going forward, a ball deep into the Girton Box was finished off at the back post 2-1 and still 10 minutes to go
Girton's tactics now were to hit Sawston on the break and almost stole a third when Frost nutmegged the right winger (the one who complained for half-time???shocking!) and played in Phil Wright, but the keeper was alert to the danger and the chance went.
With time running out Sawston pushed more and more forward, and if it wasn't for the bravery of Smithy in the Girton goal they could have snatched an undeserved equaliser, the keeper rushing off his line to head clear when the striker seemed to be through on goal. The referee played on despite Smithy being down with a head injury and Sawston almost stunned Girton as a curling effort missed the upright by inches. The danger had gone and Girton could breath as sigh of relief.
Girton saw out the remainder of the game for a well deserved 3 points. It was evident on the day that Sawston weren't used to losing, when things didn't go there way they moaned and groaned like no team I ever seen, at times they argued amongst themselves at other times they tried to get involved in petty on pitch squabbles, but Girton brushed aside any comments and did their talking on the pitch.
Well done to all involved, it was a fantastic result. Keep up the good work against Comberton on Saturday and the end of the season looks good.
FT 2-1