Attwood hat trick seals the points.
With Carey, Walder, Barton and Perry coming back in to the starting eleven the Crows had a formidable look about them as they arrived at the home of The Deres and Welling United FC in Park View Road, Welling.
The substitutes bench also had a look of quality sitting on it, with Appiah, Boddy and Morley, all of whom had started against Eastbourne United in the Vase the week before, joining Clarke and Smith, both of whom had been on the bench against United.
The pitch, as you'd expect was in very good condition and with the rain holding off and little wind, all the ingredients were there for an attacking, entertaining game from the kick off. The home side had recently signed a couple of players on loan from Dulwich Hamlet, so they were definitely looking to gain some valuable points to prevent them getting sucked in to a fight near the bottom of the table.
With the home side wearing a blue and white combo as a strip, it meant that the Crows had to wear their lucky away red strip, which has not suffered a defeat when used and it's becoming a bit of a superstition with the faithful now that we just don't lose when wearing our pseudo "Arsenal" kit.
As usual for the Crows, the first 10 minutes or so belonged to our hosts as they attacked us with vigour and pace, closing us down and challenging for the ball high up the pitch, very "Liverpool" like and it was they who had the first real golden opportunity to score. Unfortunately for them, Nwitua shot wide, in the 6th minute, when well placed 8 yards out with the goal at his mercy.
That was about the best it was going to get for the Deres for the rest of the match and for the rest of the first half it was the Crows who had the greater possession, created the better chances and made their goalkeeper, I'Anson, give a Man of the Match performance to stop the score being 4 or 5 nil to the Crows at the break.
Attwood and Carrington both had great chances which went just wide but in the 18th minute the Crows went 1-0 up, Walder, playing as the midfield anchor man decided to burst forward and when he received the ball inside the area was rashly tackled by a Deres defender and a penalty was awarded by the referee.
There were no complaints from the home side and Attwood stepped up to slot the ball past I'Anson and in to the net, no mean feat considering the form the stopper showed through the match.
Further chances came from Carey, Barton, Walder and Carrington, some were saved, some went just wide or over the bar but it was virtually one-way traffic as the Crows searched for the second and perhaps, decisive goal.
It really should have been 2-0 in the 39th minute, I'Anson making three great saves in succession from very close range efforts by Carrington, Perry and Attwood but the forwards, I'm sure, would feel he really should not have had a chance to save any of the efforts.
Soon after this the home side made their first change, Thompson going off and Adesite coming on as they looked to at least get a foothold on the game as the half time break approached. However, it was the Crows who once again threatened just before the whistle blew, Carrington lobbing the ball just over the bar with the 'keeper struggling, so it was 1-0 to the Crows at the break.
Just before the second half started the home side replaced Fernandes, a diminutive midfield player with Fahm, a much more larger and stronger looking player. However, it was still the Crows in the ascendency, Attwood and Carrington, both of whom caused the home defence trouble every time the ball was played to them, had chances to increase the lead but I'Anson kept them at bay and even Jack Turner up from the back had an effort well saved by the stopper.
In the end the pressure had to tell and following good work by Carrington and Barton, the ball was crossed to the back post where Attwood was waiting to head the ball home from about 2 yards out in the 60th minute and the Crows had the breathing space they were looking for.
With that 2-0 lead the Crows were able to take the impressive Carrington off and bring Ross Morley on as his replacement. He, of course, had a good debut the week before in the Vase and did nothing wrong after coming on in this game.
The home side made their final substitution in the 66th minute, Oshilaja going off and Reed coming on. Still it was mostly the Crows pouring forward and things were not made any easier when in the 74th minute, Walder, who had an impressive match, was replaced by another midfield strong man, Appiah, who looks fitter and quicker with every match he plays.
Clarke then replaced Crabb in the 81st minute and only 2 minutes later it was 3-0, Fray bringing a surging run from Appiah to an abrupt end inside the penalty area and earning himself a yellow card for his troubles. Attwood then gave I'Anson no chance with the spot kick and his hat trick was complete.
The only negative for the Crows on the day was the yellow card received by Morley in the 86th minute for a challenge on I'Anson which seemed to upset a Deres defender and after everything had been calmed down, the referee decided to brandish his yellow card in the face of Morley.
In the end it was a comfortable 3-0 win and the home side can have no complaints over the 90 minutes. The Crows had 14 shots as opposed to their 5 efforts and without doubt they owed their 'keeper big time for keeping the score down to only 3-0.
The Crows Man of the Match went to Zac Attwood, not just for his three goals but for his all-round non stop effort and display throughout the 90 minutes.
Now it's on to a top of the table game against Sheppey United away next Saturday as the Crows look to extend their winning and undefeated runs.