THE Great Notley Rams extended their lead at the top of the Osea Division after a comfortable four-nil win over the Dunmow Rhodes Tigers on Notley Green on Sunday.
A slightly depleted squad saw Tom McInerney in goal, Jamie McNeilly, Tom Hunt and Emma Root in defence, Matthew Littlejohn, Jonathan Stoneman and James O'Reilly in midfield and a striking partnership of Sam Donnelly and Ben Rodley.
Under a blisteringly-hot October sun, both sides found the going tough, but the Rams made sure that they made the ball do the work, and could have opened the scoring with the first attack of the game, Donnelly going close from a nice passing move from the kick off.
With the home defence not challenged greatly by the visitors, most of the action took place in the Tigers' half, but Notley found it difficult to make a breakthrough, finding the posts and goalkeeper with many of their early chances.
And Stoneman was unlucky not to become the first Rams player to score from a header, when he connected with a Donnelly corner, but his header went just wide.
But the deadlock was broken when Donnelly drilled home a fine strike, then a nice side-footed effort from Littlejohn made it two, while Donnelly added his second shortly before half time.
With copious amounts of water taken on board at half time, and a small number of substitute options on the bench, the Rams mixed formation regularly through the second period, and McNeilly was drafted in to midfield.
And the team pressed home their numerical advantage when O'Reilly hammered home a nice shot in the second half for the Rams fourth.
And when the Tigers' strikers did find themselves one-on-one with McInerney, he proved he was up to the task of keeping a clean sheet, with a fine save.
Rams boss John Stoneman said: "Today was always going to be a difficult match because of the unseasonal conditions. It was one of the hottest days of the year, and that is not necessarily conducive to good football.
"But the team knocked the ball about very well and but for some good saves from the Tigers' keeper, and an unwelcome knack of us finding the woodwork, I think we could have been good for a few more goals.
"But the main thing is another three points on the board."
Next week the Rams have their first Cup match of the season when they travel away from home to face the Galleywood Youth Hawks.
A slightly depleted squad saw Tom McInerney in goal, Jamie McNeilly, Tom Hunt and Emma Root in defence, Matthew Littlejohn, Jonathan Stoneman and James O'Reilly in midfield and a striking partnership of Sam Donnelly and Ben Rodley.
Under a blisteringly-hot October sun, both sides found the going tough, but the Rams made sure that they made the ball do the work, and could have opened the scoring with the first attack of the game, Donnelly going close from a nice passing move from the kick off.
With the home defence not challenged greatly by the visitors, most of the action took place in the Tigers' half, but Notley found it difficult to make a breakthrough, finding the posts and goalkeeper with many of their early chances.
And Stoneman was unlucky not to become the first Rams player to score from a header, when he connected with a Donnelly corner, but his header went just wide.
But the deadlock was broken when Donnelly drilled home a fine strike, then a nice side-footed effort from Littlejohn made it two, while Donnelly added his second shortly before half time.
With copious amounts of water taken on board at half time, and a small number of substitute options on the bench, the Rams mixed formation regularly through the second period, and McNeilly was drafted in to midfield.
And the team pressed home their numerical advantage when O'Reilly hammered home a nice shot in the second half for the Rams fourth.
And when the Tigers' strikers did find themselves one-on-one with McInerney, he proved he was up to the task of keeping a clean sheet, with a fine save.
Rams boss John Stoneman said: "Today was always going to be a difficult match because of the unseasonal conditions. It was one of the hottest days of the year, and that is not necessarily conducive to good football.
"But the team knocked the ball about very well and but for some good saves from the Tigers' keeper, and an unwelcome knack of us finding the woodwork, I think we could have been good for a few more goals.
"But the main thing is another three points on the board."
Next week the Rams have their first Cup match of the season when they travel away from home to face the Galleywood Youth Hawks.
