Dominant performance from start to finish.
Since the Crows joined the SCEFL back in the 2014/15 season, there's no doubt that they have enjoyed their league visits to play Tunbridge Wells at the Culverden Stadium, having drawn 2-2 in the first season and winning 1-0, 2-1 and now 4-1 in their three subsequent trips therefore, they've yet to suffer a league defeat at the ground.
From the first whistle to the last in yesterday's fixture, the Crows never looked likely to lose this particular match, dominating from the kick off, especially in the first half and playing the whole of the second half as if it was a training or friendly fixture.
The first half performance from the Crows was probably the best 45 minutes they've played for quite awhile, going back to the home game against Eastbourne Town in the FA Vase last season where they took the opposition apart and took the game out of the hands of the visitors. The Crows did exactly the same to the Wells in this game to such an extent that the home side never had a shot at the away side's goal throughout the entire 45 minutes, meaning debutant 'keeper, Di Bernado, had a very comfortable game, only receiving the ball from his own players from time to time.
The Crows showed their intent right from the start with a high tempo performance, winning the 50/50 challenges, passing and moving the ball accurately across all areas of the pitch which meant that the home side were chasing the ball throughout the half.
With the returning Walder anchoring the midfield superbly, it enabled Muggeridge, Crabb, Attwood, Treleaven and Pearson to have the freedom to run wherever the space was and to create chance after chance. Treleaven was the first to benefit when he put the visitors 1-0 up in the 14th minute, he collected a ball from Tear before calmly heading the ball over the on-rushing 'keeper, Oladogba, and into the net.
Prior to the goal, Attwood had three chances to score the opener however, he found Oladogba in good form as he saved each effort at the expense of a corner each time. Attwood was not to be denied in the end though as he scored the Crows second goal in the 25th minute, a shot from Treleaven from the edge of the area was well saved by the 'keeper but Attwood was there to tap home the rebound.
With the constant pressure bearing down on the home side, Pilbeam received a yellow card for a foul on Phipp, the only yellow card shown in the game, but it did little to stem the navy blue tide flowing constantly towards the clubhouse end.
The third goal soon followed, Crabb heading in at the back post following a good move and some excellent wing play by Pearson whose cross was inch perfect for the wing-back to head home. There seemed little chance of the Wells getting back in to the game at this point as they had hardly any time with the ball at their feet.
3-0 became 4-0 a minute before half time, Phipp having a good effort well saved by Oladogba but Pearson was on hand to put the ball into the back of the net before it could be cleared by anyone in the home side.
There's no doubt that the home side would come out for the second period in a more determined mood following their half time chat with their manager therefore, the Crows sat back for 10 minutes or so, keeping their shape and possession of the ball but not playing as expansively as in the first period.
However, the Crows still created chances, Phipp having a good effort go just wide and still as the 51st minute arrived, the home side had still not forced an effort at the Crows goal. At this point the Wells manager, Bourne, decided to make a triple substitution, J. Lawrence, Pilbeam and Ita going off, with ex-Crows, Biddlecombe and Shea coming on along with Kendall.
The changes did little to alter the flow of the match though, Crabb and Phipp having efforts which just went wide before the latter had to go off with a slight knock and Barton coming on as his replacement.
Pearson then went off in the 61st minute, again with a slight injury it seemed, Carrington taking his place and it was in the 67th minute before Wells had their first effort at the Crows goal, T. Lawrence firing over the bar from the edge of the penalty area.
Crabb and Carrington both had efforts at the Wells goal before Biddlecombe scored the Wells goal in the 75th minute with their only effort on target during the whole game, slotting the ball home from the edge of the area after the Crows failed to clear the ball.
At this point Walder, who had played very well in his first game back after injury, was replaced by Pring and still the Crows had chances to score a fifth, Tear and more likely Treleaven should have done so but 4-1 it remained until the end.
The difference between the performance last week and this game was the difference between chalk and cheese and as you're only as good as your last game as they say, the Crows were very, very good, irrespective of how anyone thinks Tunbridge Wells may have performed on the day.
Now the Crows face their longest away trip of the season next Saturday when they play Deal Town. Those who went there last season will remember the Crows put in a stellar first half performance then and I personally will be hoping for more of the same this time, the players have it within them to do it as we know.