MATCH REPORTS

Games played on: Sat 13th Feb 2010
1stXI v Southgate Olympic 1st XI
Drew Score: 2-2 League Away
Scorers: Codd, Rowe
Report: For an hour we looked comfortably in control of this match against our local rivals. Having taken the lead mid way through the first half directly from Tom Codd's free kick wide out on the touch line we deservedly added a second soon afterwards when Rowe finished off a slick move and we could have added more before reaching the break with just the 2 goal advantage. Usual half time team talk under these circumstances....if they get one goal they're be right back in it etc etc lets make sure we add a third goal to kill them off etc etc. We did actually start the second half reasserting our dominance but whether due to tiring limbs or just defending too deeply Southgate began to look a threat, building up pressure mainly from dead ball situations rather than creating anything in open play. Eventually with 20 mins left they pulled a goal back which gave them the extra impetus they were looking for and 10 mins from time from another corner they scrambled an equaliser. The final 5 mins was a frantic affair with Mark Rowe coming closest to securing the deciding goal for us but unfortunately his effort just went the wrong side of the post. Disappointing to lose a 2 goal advantage but a much improved team performance from the previous week, obviously the early Friday night bedtimes are working!!!!
2ndXI v Alexandra Park 2nd XI
Lost Score: 1-2 League Home
Scorers:
Report:
3rdXI v Albanian 3rd XI
Won Score: 1-0 AFA Cup Semi-Final Away
Scorers: McMullen T
Report: After last weeks epic win over EBOG’s we had little time to bask in our victory as we were on the road again to face Old Albanians in the AFA cup, another semi final, another big test.
We started the game well and showed our intention to take the game to the home team. We had good possession and were putting the Albanian back four under pressure but lacked the telling ball or composed touch to turn good moments into great chances.
While we looked the better side early on, we had to be cautious at the back as Albanians showed they could be a big threat on the break and got in behind a few times.
The best chance for both teams in the half came via free kicks. It was us who struck first, the ball floated to the back post where Masey got up well to head back across goal but just got too much on it for anyone to connect.
The Albanians set piece was even closer, a powerful curling effort bringing a fantastic save from Darren Cox low to his right.
We always looked the more likely to make something happen without ever really testing the keeper so we went into the break with a feeling that we could win the game but wary of the threat Albanians possessed.
The home team came out stronger in the second half and it was our turn to face up to the pressure building in our third. Our back four had to show calm heads and strength in the challenge and were marshaled superbly by Stephen 'Cruyff' Hockley, who was a tower of strength all afternoon, while showing the odd moment of continental flair.
The game was an even contest and it always looked as if one goal would settle it. That defining moment came with around fifteen minutes on the clock. Ben McMullen swung in a corner from the right and the ball dropped to recent cup goal specialist Tom McMullen around the penalty spot to smash in to the roof of the net.
As expected we had to defend for large parts of the final stages, but also looked to counter through Masey and sub Gerry Mckeown making clever runs between the Albanians back line.
Everyone was digging in, showing great character and we saw out the remainder of the match surviving a few minor scares to give us two cup finals to look forward to and a great chance of bringing home some silverware.

Man Of The Match: Stephen Hockley
Special mention: Alan/Sean unfortunate not to get on in a tight game but as always showed a great team attitude.
4thXI v Crouch End Vampires 6th XI
Won Score: 4-1 League Away
Scorers: Hunn, Quinn, Zacharia, Severn
Report: A must win game in order to continue our march up the table. We started well and played some good football without really threatening to score. Tony Hunn then opened the scoring, hitting a half volley from 30 yards out that the keeper could only watch go in off the crossbar. We continued to dominate play with Justin going past there defenders at will. Ricky Quinn then hit a shot that could be described as ‘powder puff’ which the keeper again could only watch as it bobbled off the mud and onto his shoulder before creeping over the line to make it 2-0 at half time.

The second half we became a bit more relaxed and were letting the oppo attack more, but we always looked in control. Justin made it 3-0 after a mistake by their defender gave him the ball, Justin then went past 2 defenders and the keeper and slotted home. Vamps then got a goal back after we got careless at the back to make it 3-1. Some late counter attacking football (which their forward described as Barcelona like, I agree it can be Messi) ended up with Adam finishing the game off for us at 4-1. An important win and some very important games coming up for us to challenge for the league title, keep up the good work lads.
5thXI v Old Finchleians 7th XI
Drew Score: 4-2 League Away
Scorers: Kyriakides, Hulkes, Sweeney, Blackmore
Report: think it is fair to say that on a poor pitch, in bitter cold, and with a somewhat partisan referee we did well to win this game. We won ugly. A second away win on the bounce, taking us up the table over Finchley themselves. The match started reasonably well, with a lot of possession in the oppo half, and we took the lead early on when Gary Hulkes turned a Ross Blackmore cross back across the face of goal for Alex Kyriakides to finish. The oppo had some quick and skillful midfielders who were tricky to mark but they were largely kept to shooting distance of around 25/30 yards, which meant Sam Payne in goal was comfortable in making 3 or 4 routine saves. However, we were a little quiet and off the pace, and from a corner Finchley scored from inside the six yard box when we could not block or clear.

Tom Wallace was taken off just before half time as a precaution as his knee was troubling him; so plaudits to Alistair Sweeney for finishing the game carrying a knock. In fact, Alistair managed to score a goal too, finishing from close range late in the first half.

2nd half, and after a fairly even 15 minutes or so Gary Hulkes coolly slotted home into the far corner after Ed Williams had weaved his way past 3 or 4 Finchley players who could not handle his strength. At this point I should say that Gary hit the back of the net on two other occassions but the ref blew for offside each time; I think it fair to say that he was wrong, but there you go... A scrappy final 20 minutes saw us play largely on the break, and with Mike Douglas shielding the back four (well marshalled by Tommy Attrill and Mike Saunders) we reduced Finchley to long range shots and hitting balls over the top which generally went out for goal kicks. One shot did go in however, an excellent strike by their tricky midfielder, leaving Sam with little chance as a dipping volley flew just under the bar. It was a consolation goal by then however, as Ed Williams released Ross Blackmore down the right flank, and his excellent cut inside past the full back was capped wen he finished with aplomb from about 12 yards.

We kept it tight in the last few minutes, defended a flurry of corners and made the tackles necessary to see out the game. It was a below par performance overall, but this is the kind of game we would have lost in previous seasons. So I offer credit to the team for their desire to win (which we saw in the second half, if not the first) and for trying to play a passing game on a lumpy pitch.

Man of the match - Derrick Johnson, Ed Williams and Alex Kyriakides all made big contributions, but for me Mike Douglas was the reason we walked off winners; his hustling, discipline and determination ensured a skillful oppo midfield never really fulfilled their potential.