Weekly Report - Games Played Saturday 24th April.
1st XI
This weekend saw the 1sts play a double header away to Glyn Old Boys. Although struggling towards the bottom of the table, they had been picking points up over the last few weeks so were in some decent form and they needed the points to stay in Senior 1. Any ideas about playing football were totally thrown out the window once we had seen the pitch, it was on a slope, rock hard, uneven and the goal mouths were just sand pits. You expect better in this league. With Captain Lee Hemmings sidelined due to his involvement in the marathon next day, Tom McCombie led the team, with Will Cross reverting to a centre back position to partner him.
Our first half performance in the first game was a poor, we never got control of the ball and when we did, our touch was terrible and we were making the wrong decisions in possession. In attack neither team really threatened and both back lines had little to do. With temperatures more like August than April it wasn’t the day to play a double header. The first half flew by and this put us under more pressure to do better in the second half. The second half was a much better performance and we were playing well enough to score a few goals, passing was a lot better but our finishing was again off the mark, Wesley Griffith and Steve Newlands both had chances but failed to capitalise. It must be said that the Glyn’s centre back was having a superb game, winning everything in the air and their keeper made a couple of excellent saves. . As the first game drew to a close we began to look tired and the more we pushed forward the more it seemed like it was not going to be our day. Even though we had a lot of possession we didn’t make it count and Glyn held on for an important point. We did have a good shout for a penalty during this game but the referee turned it down. FT 0-0.
Now that we had dropped 2 massive points, the next game was even more important. 4 points out of the 2 games would still keep us in the race for promotion. However we looked weary and the conditions were taking its toll, Wesley Griffith was struggling with a back injury, Simon Gallagher came off with a reoccurrence of his knee problem. We had to reshuffle the team, which was still good enough to win, Alex Jennings donned the gloves and Nick Jennings and Adam Peek started the second game.
The second game was a lot more open, both teams looked tired and a few more chances began to come both teams way, we were defending pretty well against a very tall team, but dealt with the height adequately. We still were not playing that great and never looked like scoring a goal, the home team seemed to be coping with the conditions a lot better and they got the breakthrough after we lost possession cheaply and a quick ball over the top saw the Glyn’s defender run on and he finished calmly in to the top corner. Soon after we lost another player with an injury, Aldo limping off with an ankle injury after heavy tackle. HT 0-1.
The second half was probably the biggest 30 minutes of our season. The heat was starting to take its toll with both teams starting to struggle on this very big pitch. We did look more lively when Lee Hemmings came on for a quick cameo and began holding the ball up well and setting up a few chances for us but the home side managed to scrabble the ball. Towards the end of the game we had a few corners and free kicks as Glyn worked hard to keep us out. With almost the last kick of the game Luke Hemmings had a good chance in front of goal but a defender just managed to knock the ball away. So 1 point from a possible 6 was a big disappointment but mathematical promotion is still possible so we just have to win our last 4 games and hope other results go our way. Result 0-1. Report by Tom McCombie and JB
Team
Simon Gallagher, Ross Townley, Aldo Bregu, Tom McCombie, Will Cross, Luke Hemmings, Alex Jennings, Mike Mesmin, Louis Atkins, Wesley Griffith, Steve Newland, Subs Adam Peek, Ross Hyde, Nick Jennings, Lee Hemmings.
2nd XI
No Game.
Team
3rd XI
The 3rds rounded off their season with a double header against Wood Green O B at the Lodge. With the possibility of 4th place still up for grabs we had every incentive to put in a good performance even though our safety was assured the previous week.
The opening half of the first game was a seriously scrappy affair and to be fair it showed that Wood Green still had plenty to play for. We seemed second to every ball and Wood Green had the grit between their teeth. Combine with this neither team really showed any quality when they did have it under control. Around 15 minutes in to the first half we began to make some inroads to the Wood Green half, especially down the wings where Adam ‘Dreamer’ Fitzgibbon and in particular Arron getting the better of the full back on every occasion, but the motivated Wood Green always somehow prevented a goal scoring chances being created. It was generally a lean game for the all new SAS strike force (Stocky and Skinner) as they didn’t get much of the ball up front. Our back four were holding strong, Michael Castle and Grant Coy were winning all the headers and the reunited ‘Thai Gang-Bangers’, Sam ‘Oscar The Grouch’ Parr and Tom ‘Rocky’ Grammlick were both doing well at full back. It was looking like a stalemate until Andre made a routine pick up in is area when the Wood Green striker kicked it out of his hands in to the empty net. Somehow the referee allowed the goal and we went in at half time rather disgruntled but really deserved little else for our first half display. HT 0-1.
The second half was even worse as not enough players had the commitment or the desire to win and we wound up losing 0-3, nothing more than we deserved. FT 0-3.
Some stern words between games made sure that another weak performance wasn’t to follow in the second game. From the off we looked a much better team than the first match with the ball being moved around quickly with H and Sean ‘Strictly’ Mahoney playing the ball round nicely in the midfield. We were making chances at will, cutting Wood Green open at every opportunity. The only drawback was that Sam ‘Stone Cold’ Hargreaves was upfront and he couldn’t hit a cow’s bum with a banjo! He could have had a hat trick sewn up in the first half but he would get his time (eventually). Our first goal came when Sean headed in from a long throw in, another well taken goal in a great season. Our second came soon after when Curtis ‘Elmo’ Dring whipped in a fabulous cross that Lee ‘I.D’ Shoesmith couldn’t miss (barely). Wood Green were suffering in the heat and with no subs it was really starting to show. Their only threat was through the gobby striker they had upfront but Shoey and Michael kept him quiet in the first half, especially Shoey with some fantastic tackling. Eventually Wood Green did score but the first half was a lot more one sided than the score suggested. HT 2-1.
More goals was the message at half time and they did flow in the second half but not all for Hale End. Again we looked great going forward with Jacob at his bustling best, he was unlucky not to get on the score sheet. The pace of Wood Green front runners were always a threat on the break. Theo ‘Audi’ was getting forward at every opportunity with Tom doing the same on the other side. Tom got his reward when he headed home another Curtis corner. Straight away Wood Green hit back with another goal making it 3-2, not as easy as we hoped. More good play from us made a lot of chances and FINALLY Hargreaves scored with a close range effort after superb wing play and cross from Arron. Sam celebrated by running round giving everyone high-5’s, quite possibly the quickest he has moved since joining Hale End, while looking like Forest Gump along the way with his knee braces. Arron got his reward scoring our fifth when the Wood Green keeper missed the ball outside his box leaving him with an easy tap in. The visitors sneaked another one back but they never looked like winning this one, it’s just a shame we didn’t do this in the first game. HT 5-3.
Well done to the lads for what was ultimately a successful season in staying up from what was a turbulent start. We played some good football and had a great laugh along the away. If we had this squad of 14 at the beginning of the season we would have been much further up the table. With the solid core that we now have things are definitely looking good for next season. The last tip of the cap this year goes to the gaffer, Sam. Only looking to help out the 3rds at the beginning of the season he took us over when Stuart left and has built up a good team with a great spirit who everyone has enjoyed playing for. All he needs to do now is learn to shoot properly! Cheers Ernie. Report Dan Stock
Team
4th XI
The 4ths final game of the season at home to Old Parmiterians, we faced an unbeaten inform side who scored 14 goals last week. We set ourselves up to attack from the off but unfortunately Old Parms were too strong and scored after 15 minutes. We had 3 or 4 chances in the first half to get on the score sheet but luck was not on our side as our chances went over the bar. We did force their keeper into a few good saves the best chance possibly fell to Stefan who broke into the box and unleashed a thunderous drive towards the top corner which narrowly went over. Old Parms knocked in 4 goals in the first half, mostly coming from set pieces, the best properly a 20 yard free kick that went over the wall and under the crossbar with tremendous power. HT 4-0.
Shortly after the second half kicked off we changed to a 4-5-1 with Darren coming off for Mark Turner. The visitors then knocked in their 5th, 6th goals. We then made another change, Reece came on for Andy Carter on the right wing. After goal number 7 went in possibly the most risky substitute entered the game with Manager James Gray taking up a free role in midfield. We did finally make one of our chances count when from a corner and Jason Maduro snuck in at their near post to score to get us a consolation goal. Parms scored 10 goals in the end but we were still creating chances up to the final whistle, our best chance at getting a second goal came when the ball was touched back to James Gray whose shot was destined for the bottom corner only for a defender to clear. FT 10-1. Report James Gray
As a final note I would like to say a massive thank you to the whole 4th team squad who have been a pleasure to work with hopefully see you all on the 15th May for our Presentation Day.
Team
Sean, Billy Parr, Jon Ward, Ashley Levy, Darren Fall, Jason Maduro, Sean Windeatt, Klydie, Antonio Catalino, Stefan Emile, Andy Carter, Subs, Mark Turner, Reece, James Gray
Vets XI
Saturday the Vets played second place Old Parmiterians looking to give a better performance than our last game. Drawing with Parm’s in our first game of the season they was looking for the win to keep their slim promotion hopes alive. With a lively forward line we had to be on our guard from the off and we was on the back foot early on, after weathering the storm we slowly got into the game without really testing their keeper. HT 0-0
The second half was much the same as the first with both teams looking for the opening goal. After 20 minutes Dorian went off with a hamstring pull, with no natural replacement at centre half Roger went into the back line. As the game wore on gaps appeared and chances was there for the taking for both sides, whoever scored first would win the game, but neither team had the composure in front of goal to take advantage of the opportunities that came their way. FT 0-0
By far a much better performance from the last outing, going back to basics and doing what we was doing at the start of the season, working for each other on and off the ball. With that commitment for the reminder of the season we could finish in a good position.
Team
Paul Walters, Ian Shepherd, Dorian West, Steve Chambers, Bill Howard, Marlon Wedderburn, Roger Gayle, Barry Smith, Steve Hunter, Tony Graves, Mo El Ghanou. Subs: Iain Hollowell, Peter Smith
Vets XI
Report to follow.
Team
U18 XI
On Sunday the U18 game against Brimsdown was abandoned by the referee. This is now a matter for the Cheshunt League disciplinary committee to sort out. At the time we were 1-0 up with a goal by Jacob Dixon. Hopefully the league will agree with the referee’s report and allow this score line to stand as a result. Watch this space!
Team
James Harrington, Theo Theodoulou, Aldo Bregu, Josh Collins, Joe Butler, Ollie Morgan-Russell, Laurence Williams, Ennis Ahmet, Michael Castle, Arron Watson-McNab, Jacob Dixon, Subs Curtis Dring, Ryan Skinner