The Veras FC

The Veras continued their 100% start to the season in the league with a crushing 3-0 defeat of Music Choice at Regents Park this Sunday.

The Veras were without their talismanic player/manager and leading scorer, Johnny Erdman, after he picked up a shoulder injury after a cynical challenge in last week’s frenetic cup tie with AC Camden. Nevertheless they made light work of a disorganised Music Choice eleven.

A Yeboah-esque volley from Tommy Fyans made it 1-0 with 20 minutes gone before Dave Romain, back from penning Eurozone debt crisis legislation, tip-toed his way through the Music Choice defence only to be scythed down by an appalling tackle.

Oli Jones converted the resulting penalty before grabbing a brace with a stooping header from a superb cross from Dave Krikler with 15 minutes to go in the second half.

It was nothing short of a masterclass from the Veras who dominated for virtually the full 90 minutes. The Vera’s centre midfield tripartite of Neil Kochane, Barney Thomas and Al Fitch didn’t give Music Choice so much as a sniff, while Tommy and centre back partner Guy gleefully mopped up the long balls Music Choice were forced to resort to.

Veras began the match in fierce fashion, pinning Music Choice in their half, and it wasn’t long before the pressure told. Romain forcing a corner after some good link up play with debutant Duncan at right-back.

Romain fizzed the ball to the back stick where Veras won the initial header before a limp clearance saw the ball bounce out to Tommy who left spectators wondering whether his second name ought to be Gun, such was the explosiveness of his strike, which thundered off the underside of the bar and over the line.

Barney, pulling the strings in midfield again, released Romain with an expertly weighted ball before a one-two with Duncan saw him dance past two defenders before a brutal, vicious, horrendous tackle which came really quite close to actually touching him, sent him sprawling.

Music Choice were outraged but it didn’t perturb Jones who made it two-from-two from penalty spot this season with a bludgeoning drive straight down the middle.

Veras continued to dictate play and caused havoc down the flanks with superb work from Mike Diamond and Henry Thomas on the left forcing a mistake from the keeper, before a good recovering save prevented Henry picking up his first goal of this year’s campaign.

Rich Mansell was introduced and added some steel to see out the half, while Neil, who was like wrecking ball, smashing any semblance of an attack Music Choice tried to muster, picked up a yellow card for an unlucky late tackle

The Veras had their typical lapse of concentration at the start of the second half, but under strict instructions from Tommy, screwed their heads back on and pressured Music Choice superbly, who were forced into playing possession football in their own penalty area.

The Veras looked sure to add to their lead and duly did when Krikler, who had a great impact on on the left wing, whipped in a devilish cross, which found the head of Jones, who was basically lying down by the time he got his ample forehead to the ball, sending it squirting over the line.

The referee, probably feeling sorry for Music Choice, awarded them a controversial penalty with 10 minutes to go. Music Choice’s chubby centre forward stepped up and tamely dribbled it wide, probably intimidated by Ben’s enviable, and superbly waxed Regency tash.

Ben was forced into a superb save a couple of minutes later after the only real attack Music Choice managed in the whole game, diving to his left to palm away a dipping drive.

Jones had the chance to seal his first Veras hat-trick with five minute to go after a glorious through-ball from Barney, but after shrugging of their centre back he scuffed his shot wide.

The Veras continued to make chances but eventually ran out comfortable 3-0 winners.

Whispers at the final whistle that Stan Kroenke has been tapping up Veras mastermind Erdman to take over at Arsenal can be called at worst, definitely fact.