Saturday 19th September 2015

5th XI Drew 1:1 v Norsemen (A), League.

The Old Stationers fifth XI started the campaign with a 1-1 draw. We decided to play with a 4-4-2 formation. A couple of minutes into the game and we get off to a dream start when Wayne Brydon holds the ball up and turns and plays in Jahzel Bonaparte who strikes the ball sweetly just inside the edge of the box to fire past their keeper - 1-0 Stationers.

This woke up the opposition who had good spells of possession but we had the clearer chances to score. Midway through the first half Wayne was taken off for Alex kyriakides who almost made an immediate impact when Ron Hanson was out on the left, played a lovely ball over the top and Alex outpaced the defence but blazed his shot over the bar. Pretty even contest as the first half ends. 1-0 to the good.

We came out for the second half and decided to switch formation by reverting to 4-5-1 as I felt we were being overrun in the middle of the park. We created a good chance when great work between Mark Nwosu and Alex who worked his socks off won the ball from the opposing defenders and with Alex just needing to stay composed totally miskicked the ball. The opposition still dominated and had corner after corner but fair play to all our defenders who were outstanding.

With 20 minutes to go I felt maybe we could get the 3 points. Then a ball was played over our defence and their forward was in and through on goal who hit the ball, seemingly for a certain goal and from nowhere Jacob threw his body in front of the ball to keep it at 1-0. Then they had a bullet-like shot which went past Massoud Jaharri but John Murphy got his head to it and kept it out. Finally with about 12 minutes to go they broke through when Jacob cleared a ball out which deflected off Wayne and inadvertently went past our keeper which I felt was so unlucky for us..1-1

Inside the last 5 minutes and we had a glorious chance when Jazzy fired a shot which looked like it was a goal all the way and then to my disappointment it hit the post. So unlucky. The ref blew up and honours even which I think upon reflection was a fair result.

Our defenders today who were magnificent and commanding I have to say big thanks to them. Good displays from Jamie Luis, Jacob great heart and effort in all you did but the man of the match goes to Alan Amato a rock in the heart of defence and today was unpassable.

Just a note say everyone who plays in a Stationers shirt has a responsibility to conduct themselves in a good manner and tradition which is historical with the club. When a player signs up to the team this is an obligation which each member must fulfill; if this is not adhered to then the club will have no other alternative than to terminate the player from the team. Onwards and upwards. Let's keep the momentum going, I believe we will have a very successful season. COYS