MATCH REPORTS

Games played on: Sat 21st Nov 2009
1stXI v Southgate Olympic 1st XI
Won Score: 3-0 League Home
Scorers: Rowe, Denver, Jackson B
Report: Having dominated the first 45 mins and had a number of of near misses it is always frustrating and slightly worrying to go into the break still at 0-0. It was important to maintain our level of play after the interval and not give Southgate any encouragement. Fortunately we carried on where we'd left, and once Mark Rowe had opened the scoring with an impudent back heel following a good move our nerves settled and it was not long before Matt Denver had deservedly increased our lead, coolly placing the ball in the corner from 10yards. Ben Jackson (not Tom Gillon!!) completed the scoring from close range following a corner and the final score fully reflected our overall dominance. It is difficult to single out any one player in what was probably our most complete team performance this season but Sam Roux was outstanding in the middle of defence dominant in the air and quick and strong on the ground. In fact towards the end of the game one of the oppo players said their indifferent attacking display (or words to that effect) had made Sam look like Vidic (we assumed it was a compliment!) Our task now, having proved we can compete with most sides in this league, is to find a bit of consistency and string some positive results together.
2ndXI v Lloyds TSB 2nd XI
Won Score: 4-2 League Away
Scorers:
Report:
3rdXI v Carshalton
Won Score: 5-0 AFA Cup Away
Scorers: Cole (2), Essiaghi (2), Alexis
Report: Having had to wait two weeks for the chance to bounce back from our first league defeat, away in the cup to a team playing in a higher league may not have been the most ideal fixture on paper. However, with a few players returning to the team our confidence was high, even though we started the game with just one sub.

The early stages of the match were an open affair, both teams showing an attacking intent from the off, while we looked to get the ball down and play around the opposition, Carshalton looked a threat with a more direct approach.

We were creating the better chances in the early exchanges, up top Masey and Mike Cole were holding the ball up well, bringing other players into the game. With Hankins linking play well on the right, Essiaghi running at the Carshalton back four on the left and Tom McMullen supporting from deep, we had a good balance to our attack.

At the other end our back four looked strong and organized, led by centre back Stephen Cox who looked a tower of strength in the windy conditions.

After a frustrating opening period where we failed to make the most of good possession it seemed only a matter of time before we broke the deadlock. That time came on about 25mins when Mikey Cole picked the ball up deep in the Carshalton third. Showing quick feet and tight control to make space for himself, he then unleashed a stinging low drive that had too much on it for the keeper, a deserved lead.

The half continued in much the same fashion and we knew at the break the next goal would be vital.
We started the second half as we finished the first, on the front foot and in control. We looked dangerous whenever we had the ball and we doubled our lead after more good chances in the opening five minutes or so. Naim was giving the Carshalton right back a torrid time and it was the mercurial winger who got the important second goal, finding the bottom corner after drifting in from the left.

We continued to create chances from all over the park and played some lovely possession football at times with everyone getting a touch on the ball. A third goal was on the cards and it came on the hour mark. Cole again finding the net, similar to his first, picking the ball up outside the area and firing low past the keeper after some nice touches to create room for the shot.
Although three up we had to stay concentrated at the back throughout an open second half and we were determined not to concede. Cox continuing to dominate and supported well by the rest of the back four meant Darren had little to do in goal.

We were playing with a confidence that a three goal advantage brings and the most notable illustration of this was a sublime double nutmeg from Masey in the middle of the park.
Goal number four came on about 70mins, this time it was Naim claiming his second of the game and no more than he deserved for a great performance.

Alexis (AKA Baywatch George) came on up front for the last 15mins and it was the big man who claimed the final goal of the afternoon. Picking the ball up on the left wing he feinted inside one player, past another and continued his run as the ball was played back out wide to Masey. Taking the ball into the area Masey could easily have taken the shot himself but unselfishly squared the ball to the back post where ‘Baywatch’ tucked home under pressure from the defender.

A great win and perfect platform going into a tough league match this weekend.
Man Of The Match: S. Cox
Special mention: S. Hill for having a great game out of position.


4thXI v Broomfield 5th XI
Lost Score: 1-2 League Away
Scorers:
Report: Sometimes we have to admit that we are the authors of our own misfortune. Both the oppo's goals were of our own making and those responsible know who they are! The second may have been a soft penalty but a penalty all the same. That said again we had enough chances and but for a couple of outstanding saves from the oppo keeper we may have won this keenly contested affair. We must stop looking for scapegoats (the ref) and start putting the ball in the oppo's onion bag!!!
5thXI v Alexandra Park 7th XI
Won Score: 7-2 League Home
Scorers: Kyriakides (2), Mike Nwosu (2), Ryan, Hulkes, OG
Report: Funnily enough the scoreline does not really reflect the performance, which I would say was fair but nothing special. We ground out a win and finished well up front, taking advantage of a somewhat dodgy keeper.

The first half saw us play largely on the break; sometimes we were effective, finding the front men (Alex Kyriakides and Mark Nwosu) and supporting the play via Ross Blackmore on the right and Mike Nwosu on the left; other times we played the ball forward too quickly, leaving the strikers isolated or with little chance of reaching the ball when over-hit. The oppo were not as bad as the scoreline suggests, and Sam Payne had to make two good saves from strikes inside the box, one particularly fine effort blocking with his feet. However, class told in the end, and Alex finished off a good move to put us ahead after around 20 minutes; then a clearance by Phil Ryan was turned into a goal for us when the central defender hit a back-pass that his keeper missed due to a bobble. All a bit Paul Robinson I’m afraid. The oppo kept pushing on though, and a penalty was given when their striker went down under a challenge from Mike Douglas. Sam had no chance with the pen, but within minutes Phil Ryan had restored our 2 goal cushion with a fine strike low into the far corner from outside the box. Mike Nwosu scored a deserved fourth before half time as the clouds threatened to drench us all, and a heavy gloom descended over the pitch.

The second half saw a switch up front, with Gary Hulkes replacing Mark Nwosu, and Mike Douglas coming off for Russell Toone. With so many strikers available again, Mike Nwosu was playing out of position on the left, so a tactical switch led to more balance in the play; Mike Nwosu moving to central midfield for Mike Douglas, Toone taking over on the left midfield. We dominated possession in the half, and created good chances via both flanks and by moving the ball a little more quickly. Most notable was the pace, movement and determination of John Murphy, who constantly overlapped on the right flank, causing no end of danger to the oppo, whipping in crosses (ably helped by Ross Blackmore) and making a nuisance of himself. His defending was top drawer too, given that John was the man who cut out two chances for the oppo at the near post when they hit us on the break.

Our pressure told in the end, with three more goals, Alex Kyriakides and Mike Nwosu both scoring from close range, and the best goal of the game from Gary Hulkes who hit the top left corner from 30 yards without breaking stride – a moment of real class. The oppo got a goal back towards the end with a good strike into the corner giving Sam no chance, but the game was over by then.

Man of the Match – John Murphy; tireless running, strong tackling, good covering, a threat going forward, always available for the ball.
Mega Vets v Old Esthamians MegaVets
Won Score: 4-1 Friendly Home
Scorers: Fuller 2, Wallace, Cane
Report: What looks like a comfortable victory was anything but, playing in the sort of cold, wet and unpleasant conditions that reminded us why we should all have given up years ago. Playing against the elements in the first half we did well to turn round level at 1-1, Wallace having equalised the oppo's early goal. After the break we took advantage of the few chances created, Fuller's pathetic attempted chip squirmed under the keepers body! before Fuller again and Cane added to our lead, both from close range. Gilligan would like it known that although he didn't actually score this week he had a hand in all of our goals, although touching the ball 5 passes before it actually hits the net is stretching the point! Well done to both teams for braving the conditions and underlining the lengths blokes, even in the twilight of their years, will go to to justify a drink at Sunday lunchtime.