MATCH REPORTS

Games played on: Sat 6th Feb 2010
1stXI v South Bank Cuaco 1st XI
Lost Score: 2-4 League Away
Scorers: Jackson T, Rowe
Report: Our 6 match unbeaten run came to a halt on Saturday against a strong South Bank side. We started very sluggishly and found ourselves 2 goals down in the first 10 mins and struggling to get a foothold in the game. We managed to pull a goal back half way through the 1st half when Tom Jackson rose at the far post to head home a Tom Codd corner and for a while we looked the stronger side, in fact only a last ditch goal line clearance from Raf Anthony's effort prevented an equaliser which could have changed the balance of the game. However a defensive slip before the interval restored the oppo's 2 goal advantage and the 2nd half was to prove an uphill struggle (although we actually kicked down hill after the break, but you know what I mean!!). Our task became even harder when we conceded a 4th soon after the restart and although in the last 20 mins we exerted sustained pressure and created a number of good opportunities we only had Mark Rowe's well crafted solo effort to show for our efforts. A disappointing start proved our downfall and underlines, that in a league where a number of teams are of similar ability, we need to show our best form every game.
2ndXI v Lloyds TSB 2nd XI
Won Score: 3-1 League Home
Scorers:
Report:
3rdXI v EBOGs 3rd XI
Won Score: 4-4 (5-5 AET) 4-2 penalties OC Cup Away
Scorers: McMullen T(2), Essiaghi, Cox, Hankins
Report: 30 July 1966, Wembley Stadium, London, an attendance of 98,000... 25 May 2005, Atatürk Stadium, Istanbul, an attendance of 70,024… 6th February 2010, Alan Drive (off Mays Lane), Barnet, an attendance of 50(maybe).
What do these dates have in common… they will go down in football folk lore as THE great games of modern times.
Saturday’s semi final versus EBOG’s was a game that had everything and more. A local derby, great rivalry, passion, intensity, a flurry of goals and plenty of mistakes, when you hear people talk about ‘a good old fashioned cup game’, this is what they are talking about.
We couldn’t have got off to a worse start. Immediately on the back foot and a goal down inside ten minutes, one quickly became two as the home side again found the net and we find ourselves staring defeat in the face before we had really started to get going.
A quick response and good show of character were needed and we began to get a foothold in the match. Our efforts were rewarded mid way through the half when the ball fell to Tom McMullen on the edge of the box, taking it on the half volley he couldn’t have struck it any sweeter as the ball curled away from the keeper and into the bottom left corner.
As the contest became more even we were desperate to get in level at half time and put our bad start behind us, however our hopes took another blow as it was EBOG’s who extended their lead with the fourth goal of an entertaining half.
The next 45mins were the biggest of our season to date.
We started the second half much better than the first, knowing a place in the final was at stake. Getting closer to the opposition, winning the 50-50’s and turning the EBOG’s back four on a number of occasions. The pressure we were building paid off shortly after the break, some good approach play down the left led to the ball falling to Essiaghi in the area who swept home to bring us back in the game.
The next goal was crucial. We hadn’t been getting much luck form set pieces against a strong EBOG’s side but that was about to change. Ben McMullen drifting the ball to the penalty spot where a knock down found Cox on hand to finish well and level the scores at 3-3.
The game had now opened up into a thrilling encounter and we felt the momentum was with us as we swept forward at every opportunity. An unbelievable come back got even better when Tom McMullen popped up in the EBOG’s area again to claim his second of the afternoon and give us the lead in this incredible match. A sublime first touch sold the defender and gave him room to fire across the keeper from a tight angle.
It was inevitable that we would have to with stand heavy pressure going into the last ten minutes as the home side rallied. It looked as if we were going to do it until heartbreak struck with a few minutes left on the clock, 4-4 and into extra time.
The game continued to be a close, cagey affair with both sides giving their all. As bodies and minds grew tired it was hard to see where the break through would come, until an inspired piece of individual magic from Bobby Hankins swung the balance in our favour once more. Receiving the ball roughly twenty five yards from goal in a central position, he opened his body and sent a curling, dipping shot just inside the right hand post.
As we swapped ends for the final fifteen minutes of open play we knew we would have to dig deep and fight for the victory that was in our grasp.
With barely five minutes left on the watch it looked as if this dramatic, titanic battle was drawing to a close, however there was to be one final cruel twist as the ball floated into our area and landed at the feet of a grateful EBOG’s player to tuck home and make himself a hero, and take the game to penalties:

1) Cole – under side of the bar and out – 0-0
2) EBOG’s – over the bar – 0-0
3) Mays – Goal – 1-0
4) EBOG’s – over the bar – 1-0
5) Essiaghi – Goal – 2-0
6) EBOG’s – Goal – 2-1
7) Hockley – Goal – 3-1
8) EBOG’s – Goal – 3-2
9) Darby – Goal – 4-2 and Stationers march on to the final!

Man Of The Match: Bobby Hankins.
Special mention: Micky Byrne / Danny Bracebridge – guided the team to cup finals in consecutive years – dream team!
4thXI v NO GAME
Won Score: Home
Scorers:
Report:
5thXI v Old Parkonians 9th XI
Won Score: 5-2 League Away
Scorers: Hulkes (3), Blackmore, Kyriakides
Report: What a difference it makes when the chances are finished, eh? That was the essential difference between us this week, and the last couple of times we've played. First half was a very even game. The oppo probed, but we hustled them off the ball, and never allowed them to get into a rhythm. Between them Toone and Douglas were noticeably determined in the middle. However, we really didn't make very much in the way of chances ourselves. Probably the best chances fell to Ross Blackmore, but he was either offside, or blasted hopelessly over or wide of the goal. We went a goal down mid way through the half through a dodgy looking penalty (their player fell down in my opinion), but deservedly got ourselves back onto level terms towards the end of the half when their keeper made a hash of distribution from the back, and Ross latched on for an easy finish. 1-1 at half time. Game on.
Second half saw us replace the two forward positions, and switch Ross to the right wing. Gary Hulkes made an instant impact coming on. Lashing in a great shot from distance; making the oppo very nervous whenever he got the ball. Gary continued to play the half purposefully, and it soon became clear he had forged an instant understanding with Alex K based on zero playing time together. Result for us then! Incredibly the threat was further enhanced by Ross Blackmore actually playing well on the wing! He ran past players, zipped a number of dangerous crosses over from the byline, and (you won't believe this) tracked back and defended.
We did make our usual mistake, and let them get a soft goal back to 2-2. There was a few minutes of doubt when either team could've scored a third. It was us that did, and then we were away with it with some good football and further excellent finishing including a very calm goal by Alex K. and Gary completing his hatrick. 5-2 final score.
Man of the match: Gary Hulkes
Also, a very good team performance all round...