Match Report - 1st XI v Cambridge Heath AFA Cup
Ex-players day at The Stationers meant the current players had to put on a performance to show the old boys what we’re made of. The oppo, Cambridge Heath, arrived early and were warming up. This wouldn’t be an easy game, but we were determined to show our quality and continue our unbeaten streak at home - our fortress.
Stationers started quickly, zinging a few passes together and putting the oppo under early pressure, but nothing threatening. Possession for most of the game was very much kept in the middle third, neither team really producing anything exciting in the final thirds.
A few questionable challenges saw Elsey lose his head a couple of times - once out of anger and once from almost being concussed.
Ansell came off the bench halfway into the first half making an immediate impact down the right wing, where we looked the most promising, but the half finished goalless.
We knew we had to come out in the second half and start fast and strong - and that’s exactly what we did. Big tackles came from our centre halves, Power and Wattsy, who led the team from the back. Our midfield trio of Elsey, Jamo and Simon kept their engines running all game with great support coming from the wingers Dan Breen, James Phillips and David Ansell. Sean Derrick hustled hard up top, giving the defenders something to worry about.
A free kick had been won out on the left wing and with just under 15 minutes to go, we were desperate for a goal. We piled the box with our biggest players with the hope that one of them would win their aerial battle and head home. It was Bradley who whipped the ball in with his left foot and took the defence by surprise with a cross that landed at the feet of one of our smaller players, David Ansell, just inside the edge of the box who has connected with the ball on the volley and it’s found itself in the back of the net via the inside of the left post. 1-0!
The opposition reacted very well to the goal and piled a lot of pressure onto us for the remainder of the game with corners, freekicks and long balls over the top of our defence, but The Stationers came out on top and the game finished 1-0 - a well earned victory!
Despite his lack of balance and feet-eye coordination, Ciaran Power put on a very impressive display from start to finish, both in defence and in attack. For that reason, he has earned himself MOM.
MOM: Ciaran Power
Team: Perry, Matt Hennigan, Steve Watts, Ciaran Power, Bradley Mace, James Keenan, Simon Jones, James Elsey, James Phillips, Dan Breen, Sean Derrick
Subs: Tom Jackson, David Ansell
