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MATCH REPORTS |
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Games played on: Sat 13th Mar 2010
| 1stXI v OLd Lyonians 1st XI |
| Drew |
Score: 1-1 |
League |
Away |
| Scorers: Jackson B |
Report: All in all a frustrating afternoon, we dominated for long periods, had numerous chances and numerous corners but unfortunately it was one of those days where the ball just wouldn't drop kindly for us. Despite arriving a little late (homework for this week "Sat Nav v Traditional Map" please discuss!!) we started brightly and created a number of good opportunities but against the run of play it was the oppo who opened the scoring 10 mins before the interval. The second half was more of the same as we played some of our best football of the season but were constantly thwarted at the last moment and with time running out it looked like our efforts might be in vain. However with 10 mins left the "Jacksons" made the important break through, Tom's freekick was parried by the keeper and Ben was on hand to side foot home but although we pressed for the final 10 mins we could not force the winner our performance certainly deserved. That's our third draw on the trot, a series of results that in the not too distant past would have welcomed with a fanfare but this season they are definitely points dropped. Correction to last week's stat it is now only 1 defeat in 10!
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| 2ndXI v Old Latymerians 2nd XI |
| Drew |
Score: 4-4 |
League |
Away |
| Scorers: |
Report:
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| 3rdXI v Nottsborough 3rd XI |
| Won |
Score: 2-1 |
AFA Cup Final |
Home |
| Scorers: Hockley, Essiaghi K |
Report: It’s fair to say that going into this game we were seen as the underdog by most with an interest in the result. On paper you could see why, sitting in a lowly position in the league below the opposition, having only played one game in the last month and facing a Nottsborough team that had lost just once this season, winning every other fixture.
However arriving at HSBC’s ground and stepping off our luxurious coach, confidence was high with in the squad, knowing that we can give any team a game when we are on form and relaxed into the build up to kick off.
After the formalities of the team photos and respect campaign hand shakes, it was time to kick off the biggest game of our season.
The opening stages of the half were tight, cagey exchanges of possession, pressure and few real chances with Nottsborough enjoying the lion share. Both teams used the ball well in their own half and around the middle but often found it difficult to get in behind our around the opposing back four.
It was always going to be a testing afternoon for our backline and they were certainly standing up to the challenge, while in front of them the midfield worked hard to track runs, shut down and cut off the angles of supply. With one up top and two wide men supporting, we were playing more of a containing shape but did manage to create a few good opportunities throughout the half but without ever really working the keeper.
So all square at the break and we went into the dressing room knowing a big 45mins lay ahead.
The second half began in the same pattern as the first, N’borough enjoying more possession but our shape and commitment keeping the game on an even balance.
As we passed the hour mark N’borough were beginning to take more control and the majority of the game was being played in our half.
A change of formation was needed and Karim was brought on for Mikey who had worked tirelessly throughout.
After the change we looked more likely to make something happen however it was N’borough who broke the deadlock. A free-kick from deep was floated towards the area and through a crowd of players Darren misjudged the flight of the ball as it went over his head into the empty net. It was a harsh goal to concede as we worked so hard to keep a clean sheet, but with 15mins left on the clock we were determined to make amends.
With two up top and players running off Masey we were creating more pressure in the N’borough half and turning their back line more often, the momentum was building as we threatened from successive corners with Masey coming close.
The big turning point in the match came with barely 10mins remaining. This time it was our free kick that caused panic in the box and led to a N’borough defender blocking a ball with his arm. Stephen Hockley stepped forward and although not his best penalty ever, all that mattered was the ball hit the net and we were level.
The goal gave us a huge boost and the game was now very much an open, even contest again with both teams going in search of a winner. Everyone had to dig in as we defended a number of good attacks but showed a threat on the break too.
As legs tired on a big pitch we knew that Karim's freshness and raw pace would be a real threat and that proved to be the case. With 5mins to go Hankins received the ball in the N’borough half and spotted Karim's run from outside right. Sliding the ball between two defenders Karim latched on to the pass, his first touch taking him towards goal and as the keeper came to narrow the angle he was unable to stop the shot as the ball slipped under him and into the net. A goal that our hard work and never say die spirit deserved and we managed to see out the remainder of the game to record an historic win.
A huge thank you to all those who made the long trip to come and support us on the day, very much appreciated by the whole squad. We would love for you to all be there again this weekend as we aim to make it a cup double with the Old Boys Cup final vs Old Salesians at Douglas Eyre sports centre.
Man Of The Match: ‘Darby’ – looked as if he’d just turned 20 not 30 – great game!
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| 4thXI v Broomfield 5th XI |
| Won |
Score: 6-0 |
League |
Away |
| Scorers: |
Report: A win that took us to the top of our league, happy days! Another very convincing win against opposition who I'm sure on another day would cause many teams problems. That said had we taken half the chances we made we could have scored double figures but, hey, when you are creating as many chances as we are it is just a question of staying patient!! Forget the play makers/goal scorers for a moment: Special mention to Jon White who had a solid performance as did Stocks and Woods all of whom play at the back not to mention Jason "thou shalt not pass" Henrickson our keeper. It is their solidity that allows others to shine!! Well done to one and all.
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| 5thXI v EBOGs 7th XI |
| Won |
Score: 4-1 |
League |
Away |
| Scorers: Hulkes (2), Quinn, Attrill T |
Report: This was our fourth win on the trot, meaning we are now in with a fair chance of 4th or even 3rd place in the table this season. On a pitch that did not encourage much finesse down the middle, we managed to spread the ball wide with frequency and gusto, and after a stodgy first 20 minutes took control of the game. However, a hard working EBOG side proved adept at covering in front of their goal and we struggled to get shots on target. Finally, following a move down the right flank, Ross Blackmore combined with Gary Hulkes, to set up a shooting chance on the turn just inside the penalty area, and Gary's low shot took a slight deflection to beat their agile keeper at the far post. A series of good moves down both flanks, Glen Hunt always combining well with Derick Johnson down the left, ditto John Murphy and Ross Blackmore on the right, saw us take a two goal lead just before half time. A quick thrown-in by Derick found Mike Saunders in space and his incisive pass into the feet of Ricky Quinn saw a neat turn followed by a beautifully considered curler over the keeper into the far corner of the net. It was a great strike from the edge of the box, and was expertly finished by Ricky.
We began the 2nd half looking totally in control and began to play more fluently, again raiding down the flanks on most occassions, with Ross particularly effective against their left back. Ross made two driving runs which ended in ignominy when he blasted over the bar on each occassion, but he clearly unsettled EBOGs at the back and was always a good outlet for our midfield and defence. EBOG had not given up hope, and they tried to play good passing football so we were still looking for the killer third goal. However, the next goal was theirs, a stab from inside the box after we failed to clear a corner effectively. The ball ran through a number of legs to nestle in the corner to give the oppo some reward and hope, and we all knew we should have done better. The good news though is that we immediately hit back, and within a minute or two of the restart Ross Blackmore took off down the right wing and crossed forcefully for Gary Hulkes to slot home at the far post. It was a well crafted goal and no more than Gary deserved for his good movement, always in space and looking composed.
From then on we found ourselves creating a variety of chances, and saw some good passing and interplay with the whole team involved in some decent possession football. We also saw some great trickery from Lee Hunt out wide on the left when he was surrounded by 3 EBOGs only to pirouhette on a sixpence (some of you are too young to remember these coins!) and dance out of trouble to set up another foray. From one of our attacks a quickly taken Ross Blackmore corner was dummied by John Murphy on the edge of the box to find Tommy Attrill waiting like a praying mantis. His calm strike from 20 yards squeezed past numerous bodies and gave us the 4-1 lead which we held onto with some style for the remainder of the game.
This game was no classic, the pitch saw to that, but we tried to play a passing game and largely succeeded. We were a bit quiet for early spells but moved into gear as the match wore on, and everyone was willing to take a pass and keep possession. More of the same next week when we go looking for our 5th successive win.
MOTM Ross Blackmore, who terrorised the oppo defence on the right flank with his running
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