Not as easy as the scoreline suggests.
When you see a score of 6-1 you immediately think "well that's a thrashing" however, the match against Holmesdale FC was not as easy as the score suggests and it took to the 83rd minute before the Crows could feel comfortable enough to think the points were in the bag.
For an already relegated side the visitors definitely put a shift in for the shirt and worked their socks off from the very first minute until rather falling apart with 15 minutes to go, when internal arguments and a slacking off of concentration, saw the Crows run riot to score four goals.
It does make one think that if Holmesdale were able to field the same side they had out last night, week in, week out, that they may not have found themselves at the bottom of the table and already relegated.
Having checked the record of the game when we played them away on the 12th March, when we won 2-0, there were only four players listed on the team sheet who turned out this time that didn't play in that match, however, their effort and work rate in this defeat made their players unrecognisable from the earlier game.
Holmesdale definitely started the match with good intent and although the Crows were the more dominant of the two sides, they chased and harried the Crows all over the pitch, which meant that space and time was very much limited when they had the ball, therefore, it became a battle of nutrition during much of the first 45 minutes, with free kicks aplenty being awarded, mainly to the Crows.
However, the first goal eventually arrived in the 30th minute, following a throw in taken by Carey, he received the ball back from Biddlecombe and then put over a great cross which found Rich with space in the box and he was able to head the ball acrobatically into the angle of post and crossbar and into the net.
The Crows then tightened their control of the game which resulted in Lawson seeing a yellow card for a tackle on Carey and then Biddlecombe had a shot well saved by Rankin in the Holmesdale goal before a defender helped his goalkeeper out by clearing the ball upfield.
Half time was reached with a 1-0 scoreline to the Crows but no one associated with the home side could rest on their laurels and feel that the match is now done and dusted.
Once the second half started it was clear that the visitors had decided to up their efforts even more, whilst the Crows seemed to have left all their energy back in the dressing room, being rather profligate with the ball and heavy legged when running.
This gave the advantage to the away side and after 51 minutes it was 1-1, Palmer slotting the ball home after breaking free from the clutches of Tear due to him slipping at the wrong time and being able to put the ball in the net past Smith, who by now was helpless on the ground having suffered the same fate as Tear by slipping over.
However, this set back seemed to wake the Crows up from their half time break and they once again, took control of the match from here on in. Biddlecombe was becoming more of a threat, one effort, a header, going narrowly wide when perhaps it should have hit the back of the net.
Holmesdale then made a substitution, Lawson going off and North coming on as they tried to wrestle back some control of the game and stem the ever rising tide of Crow attacks which were by now coming in wave after wave.
In the 64th minute it became 2-1, Shea slipping a great ball through for Biddlecombe to race clear and slot the ball past Rankin in the Holmesdale goal, restoring the lead the Crows deserved.
The away side then made their final two substitutions, Sharman and Khan going off to be replaced by Martin and Mason as they strive to get back in the game.
These changes could have worked too, Mason, I think it was him but I couldn't quite recognise the number, hit a shot from the edge of the area in the 73rd minute which was deflected up and over Smith in the Crows goal, only for it to hit the bar and go out for a corner.
It soon became one-way traffic again though and the Crows third goal duly arrived in the 83rd minute, Biddlecombe getting free inside the area before squaring the ball across the six yard box for Mici to tap home.
The Holmesdale players were upset with a block tackle on Steward leading up to the goal and their rather loud protestations led to their captain, Akers and 'keeper Rankin being booked for dissent after arguing with the match referee following the goal being scored.
Having already used their three substitutions they went down to ten men as Steward had to be carried off the pitch on a stretcher, unable to carry on, in the 85th minute. This seemed to make the Holmesdale players lose their concentration and discipline which enabled the Crows to attack at will.
Substitute Carrington then scored two goals in 2 minutes, the first a delicate chip over the 'keeper from a narrow angle, making it 4-1 and the second came from the penalty spot after he was brought down by Rankin and it became 5-1 as he smashed the ball passed the diving 'keeper.
In the 90+5th minute, Ridley scored the goal his performance throughout the match deserved, slotting the ball home at the second attempt following a goal mouth scramble and therefore it became 6-1.
This scoreline seemed to upset the Holmesdale custodian and he cleared the ball out of the ground in disgust. This did not endear him to the referee and he was shown a second yellow card, quickly followed by a red and therefore, he was dismissed from the field of play, Conteh taking over in goal, Holmesdale now down to nine men.
After 90+9 minutes the final whistle blew, 6-1 probably harsh on the visitors but they contributed to their own downfall in the end and Ridley was awarded the Crows Man of the Match for his drive and skill, especially in the second half.
The Crows have now played four league games against Holmesdale and won them all therefore, with their relegation it would appear that they will have to find those six points from elsewhere next campaign.