Weekly Report - Games Played Saturday 13th February.
1st XI
A return to league football this week for the first team, with only 6 games played in the league we were looming near the bottom of the table, but a good run could find us back pushing for promotion. Our hosts Old Challoners were struggling in the league so we knew that these were the games we definitely had to win. With that in mind and the team at full strength and in good spirits from the performance last week, 3 points was the only thing on our minds. In recent weeks we had defended well but had failed to finish teams off when we had the chances.
We began the game looking the better side but failed to create any real chances, the home team however began to pass the ball around well and the Challoners number 10 was very influential in their play, dropping into positions that caused us problems. Although the home side looked dangerous we defended well and had a slice of luck when the Challoners winger hit the post and then a crossbar before the ball was cleared. In between Simon was trying to give the home side some further chances from his goal kicks, he has taken a few days off this week to practice! Our attacking play was limited, considering we played so well last week, we had fallen back into our old habits as our touch was bad and the final ball not much better - Will Cross however managed to make a couple of gallivanting runs down the wing but no chances materialised. Another opportunity came the way of Tom McCombie from a corner, a half cleared header fell to Tom who hit the ball first time on the volley across goal, although off target Lee Hemmings seemed very close to knocking it in. With the game becoming a stalemate we managed to take the lead from a quick break away. Another run down the left wing from Will Cross found Wesley Griffith through on goal, he held the ball up, composed himself and played a perfect ball to Steve Newlands who slotted the ball home confidently. Good to see Steve scoring after a few fruitless weeks. (The NLP said it was Wes that had scored!) HT 0-1.
If the first half was painful to watch (especially Simon’s kicking) then the second half was not much better. We were working hard but giving the ball away too easily. With snow now falling we allowed the home side to grow in stature and confidence and it began to become one way traffic, a combination of last ditches tackles, goal line clearances and blocks prevented the home side from equalising. A tactical change was made and Jimmy McCann and Alex Jennings came on which boosted our energy levels. Both players immediately making an impact, notably was Jimmy who had a free kick tipped over the bar which was destined for the top corner and Alex who has a knack of drawing fouls which broke the game up and allowed us to regroup. With time running out the home side pushed more players forward as they desperately needed something out of the game to improve their league position. New boy Ross then came on and shored up the midfield with some quality tackles. Although this was not a great performance we dug in and got the result, last season we would have lost this game. A massive 3 points and with Old Belgravians coming to the Lodge next week we need to play a lot better, we now need to put a run of wins together. FT 0-1. Report Tom McCombie
Team
Simon Gallagher, Aldo Bregu, Will Cross, Lee Hemmings (Capt), Tom McCombie, Louis Atkins, Michael Castle, Mike Mesmin, Joe Heenan, Wesley Griffith, Steve Newland, Subs Alex Jennings, Jimmy McCann, Ross Townley
2nd XI
The 2nds game was cancelled, some Old Kingburians players had a car accident on the way to Wadham.
Team
3rd XI
On Saturday the University of Hertfordshire were the visitors to the lodge as the 3rd team were looking to right the wrongs of the previous week. The last game against the university side was a tight affair which we pinched 3-2 scoring in the final minute. We expected another tough game against a team that was second in our league.
For the first time in a few games we were sharp out of the blocks, we hassled and harried in midfield, always looked dangerous in attack whist being solid at the back always. It would be fair to say that Uni of Hertfordshire was not expecting this. Good chances were created early on, Ryan having a couple of one on ones saved by their keeper. The opposition was rattled and they knew it. Eventually we broke the deadlock with the help of the luck of the Irish. Sean ‘Strictly’ Mahoney put a beautiful cross in for Jack ‘JT’ O’Reilly to head home a fine move. It was the very least we deserved but a sting in the tail was only around the corner. On a rare forage forward the visitors pumped the ball into our box and after a forward used his hands to bounce the ball over a tackle he tapped the ball home. It really was a shocking decision (was up there with Stocky’s goal that never was) but the referee was having none of it. It was harsh as the defence of Kam, Dan ‘Da Vinci’ Brown, Shoey and gaffer Sam Hargreaves had kept the Jay Bothroyd and Dirk Kuyt look-a-like strikers easily at bay. We continued to press playing some tidy football along the way. Despite on having 2 in the centre of the park compared to the oppositions 3, were running rings around them at times. Our lead was restored when Ryan bundled home on the goal line after the keeper saved the initial one on one. Adam Fitzgibbon missed a chance just on the stroke of half just minutes after home keeper Luke made a stunning save at his near post. It was an assured debut from Luke who clearly had the force on his side. It was a Hale End dominated half but the goal the Uni of Hertfordshire sneaked made it seem tighter than the game itself suggested. HT 2-1.
The real fun started in the second half. We played some top class stuff from the restart and the Uni of Hertfordshire was powerless to stop it, they were steamrollered. Ryan ‘Lemar’ Skinner smashed the ball home in the top corner to make it 3-1, and after hitting the cross bar managed to wrap up his hat trick. Dave ‘Assists’ Walker was pulling the strings well just behind Ryan and soon set up another 2 goals. Adam ‘Dreamer’ Fitzgibbon bravely slotted the ball past the onrushing keeper and got clattered in the process from Dave’s centre and Jonathan ‘Dwight’ Munze celebrated his tidy finish with his usual gymnastics routine. To be fair 6-1 was slightly flattering for the away team as we had ran them into the ground so much. The only blot for us in the second half was when Shoey neatly dispatched a header into the bottom corner of the net, unfortunately it was his own net. In reply to that Ryan grabbed his fourth of the game to make it 7-2 although there was a good shout for it to be an OG. Again one on one with the keeper, Ryan went to shoot but the defender made the tackle and the ball ended up in the net, perhaps you should all ask him at training! With 15 minutes left Sammy Butt, H and Stocky all came on and added some fresh impetus which caused even more trouble for the bewildered opposition. With a bit more luck we could have easily taken our tally to at least double figures. The best move was when H released Sammy down the left who whipped in a perfect cross that would have landed straight to Stocky had it not been for the defenders good intervention. More chances came but the score remained until the final whistle. FT 7-2.
Overall it was a total demolition of a good side that was second in 2 North division. We played some fantastic football at times and handed out the thrashing that we had been threatening to do to someone all season. It was good to see that after a poor couple of results that we could totally outplay a decent side. This performance definitely raised the 3rd team bar. Report Dan Stock
Team
Luke Bontoff, Sam Hargreaves, Kamara Harper, Lee Shoesmith, Daniel Brown, Sean Mahoney, Jonathan Munze, Jack O’Reilly, Ryan Skinner, Dave Walker, Adam Fitzgibbon, Subs Halil Hassan, Daniel Stock, Sammy Butt.
4th XI
After last weeks hard working performance the 4ths went to Wood Green with 5 players away but with a mix of youth and experience. We lined up in a 4-4-2 looking to attack from the off, Wood Green started strong and caused us problems from the off, they came close to scoring time after time. After 30 minutes Nilish went in for a tackle on the edge of our box but came off worse and had to come straight off so we looked to the bench for our only sub. On came our midfield dynamo James Gray but still the Wood Green onslaught came with shots bobbling wide and goal line clearances keeping us in the game.
Finally the inevitable happened; Wood Green Old Boys broke through our backline and scored to make it 1-0, shortly afterwards they were through again 2-0. We did have a few chances to come back, Oshane on the right delivered a delightful cross into their box but nobody was at the back post to capitalise. HT 2-0.
We reshuffled with Zach Choto dropping into the backline and skipper Grant coming into centre midfield. Again we pressed them, almost breaking the dead lock with some neat football. Mark was released with a through ball which took him one on one with the goalkeeper, looking like a certain goal until a defender came storming out of nowhere to clear. But we knew if we kept creating we would score. Unfortunately Wood Green kept on and soon made it 3-0. Shortly afterwards our luck changed and we released Nathan on his debut and he finished neatly to make it 3-1. Wood Green was constantly attacking with numbers and it paid off when they scored goals 4 and 5. So on a bad day in North London it’s back to the drawing board. A big thank you to all the boys who turned out this week especially Arnold who filled in for Luke. Let’s put it right next weekend. FT 5-1 Report James Gray
Team
Arnold Nogmbika, Billy Parr, Sean Windeatt, Zach Choto, Gerrard, Nilish Patel, Oshane, Nathan, Mark Turner, Grant Coy, James Gray
Vets XI
The Vets were at home to Fulbrook Royals. Following on from their defeat the week before the Vets got off to a slow start with Fulbrook having more of the play for the first 15 minutes. Once we settled down a goal was to follow after the world and his wife had a shot at goal which was finally put into the back of the net by Dan (Green Army) Miguel. Half Time Hale End 1 - Fulbrook 0.
Three substitutions were made at half time and we continued to play some good football. A good pass from Tony Greaves on the right over to Dan (Green Army) Miguel who crossed the ball for Steve Hunter who slottedo home the second goal. We had numerous chances that were not converted which consequently led to Fulbrook fighting their way back into the game with a full time score of 2-2.
Great goalkeeping by Gary Doodes who managed to save the day and earn us a point but to be fair Fulbrook deserved their share of the points. Man of the Match Gary Doodes. Result 2-2
Report by Barry Smith
Team
Gary Doodes, Bill Howard, Ian Shepherd, Steve Chambers, Bill Green, Tony Graves, Danny , Barry Smith, Steve Hunter, Roger Gayle, Mo El Ghanoul, Subs Iain Hollowell, Dorian West, Peter Smith U18 XI
On Sunday the U18 were at home to Forty Hill. This was a very good performance against a team who worked very hard and could play some good football. We started very well and settled into the game quickly. We controlled the game from the beginning and had a number of chances before Steve Townsend put us into the lead with a good goal. The ball was worked down the left and crossed into the box, Steve controlled the ball and chipped it over the defender’s head and volleyed home.
We controlled the second half with some long periods of possession and finally scored a second goal. Ryan was put through on the left outpaced the defender and slotted the ball home. He scored a second following some good passing and fired home from inside the box.
We had some further chances but ended up with a comfortable win. This was particularly good as we had a number of players carrying injuries and it was good to get the result. This was brilliant team performance. Result 3-0 Report Steve Russell.
Team
J Harrington, T Theodoulou, J Collins, A Bregu, J Butler, O Morgan-Russell, L Williams, S Townsend, M Castle, E Ahmet, J Dixon, R Skinner.