The first game after the long winter layoff found Generals against an improving Higham Colts, who gave us a very close opener to the season. The pitch was in excellent condition, even after all the sub zero temperatures, snow, rain and frost,  so there were only a handful of games played this weekend.

Generals started the game as though they were still enjoying the Christmas festivities and had a few mates around for a kickabout. Whilst Higham wanted to push on from their good pre Christmas form in which they have not been beaten in the last four games. With Higham a lot more confident in their approach, Generals lacked effort and were soon punished with Higham taking a well deserved lead after only 7 minutes, it soon became a two goal deficit with a defensive slip up, extending Higham's lead.

Generals were trying to find their feet, then the breaks started to come. Jim had a superb half on the right wing and gradually his hard work started to pay off. From interchanges on the right between Jim and Josh, Kallum moved himself into a position well outside of the penalty area, but central to the goal. As Jim threaded the ball through to him, Kallum struck the ball first time, 25 yards out, sweetly into the top corner of the net, leaving the keeper no chance. The first goal for Generals from Kallum, a strike he has been promising for some time and what a time to get it.

With 5 minutes remaining of the first half, Generals were still struggling at times, but the right hand side was becoming the most fruitful attacking asset, there were at least chances, but no clear cut work for the keeper to do. The equaliser started when Generals played football out of the defence down the right hand side. Great work from Jim led to a pass to Reece, just inside the penalty area, which he dug out from his feet and stroked into the corner of the net.

Half time 2 - 2.

The second half saw Generals back to something like the standard we expect. Straight from the off they put pressure on Higham, from the forwards through to the back four. This gave them more time to pick passes and plenty of opportunity to try out the Higham keeper. But for some cooler heads in front of goal, Generals could have put the game well out of Highams reach. Changes at half time provided opportunities down the left, as Adam and Jake combined well, making the Higham keeper work hard to keep them level. Ryan controlled the centre of the pitch, whilst James pushed forward down the right, latching onto some superb passes from Toby, who was growing into his role as full back. Tom made himself a target up front, and it was his corners which helped unlock the Higham defence at last. James received the low corner at the front post, then a smart turn and cross was met by Ryan as he out manoeuvred a defender with a confident tap in at close range.

Higham were always dangerous on the break, with a keen eye for a long shot. Cory was always on his toes, making an excellent strike from 30 yards look more like a pass back.

Final score 3 - 2.

There are a number of good performances in this match, mainly in the second half. Jim had a great game on the right, causing the left back all sorts of problems. Jake was solid on the left all match, whilst the back four got to grips with a very attacking minded Higham. Ben brought the ball out of defence superbly, whilst Phillip mopped up any breakthroughs. Jordan kept the Higham right wing quiet for the second half, making sure Higham didn't get the equaliser we were all worried they could sneak in. The quality of the Generals' goals was nothing short of outstanding in this match, whilst the second half team performance cannot be faulted.

Toby played really well in the second half, distributing the ball down the right wing to start a number of the attacks and it was this that helped pile the pressure on Higham, for this performance he was awarded the man of the match cup.