Match report
Unfortunately, what could have been a good game, was turned into a complete and utter farce by the most incompetent referee, I have ever seen. The warning signs for today were there for all to see, the pitch looked like grazing land without the horses, the touchlines looked like they had been marked out by a one legged blind person, the penalty area did not exist and the referee, well, thankfully he wasn't one! Colts started brightly in a 4-4-2. KEEPER: COUCH, HILL, ASARE AND GRIDLEY (In for the Late ILESANMI): BORG, SARAPONG, WINTERS AND WELLMAN: LABINJO AND HOWELL.
Carshalton looked up for it as much as we were but the first real chance fell to Sarapong who rattled the bar with an acrobatic half volley. It was hard for either side to play on this shambolic pitch and KEEPER showed his good hands on a couple of occaisions. Then the ref mad ehis first contribution, squaring up to Godfrey Asare as if he wanted to fight him, I considered taking the boys off the pitch at this point, anyway Godfrey showed a maturity beyond his years and wasn't phased. Then his second contribution was to award Carshalton a penalty as he stood on the halfway line, bizarre! I dont like criticizing referee's as I am one but this was Ricky Gervais in diguise! Anyway, KEEPER was too busy arguing rather than focussing and 1-0 down we were. In the most part we had a lot of possession after this but failed to deliver and I have to admit, all my focus was geared towards battling against diabolical decisions from both the referee and his assistant who contrived between them to turn what could have been a good game into a circus, how adults can do this when the victims are children is beyond me! Anyway 3 minutes past the stroke of half time we were 2-0 down, a shot from the corner of the box flashed low into KEEPERs far corner, a great strike! The half time team talk was all about attitude and desire. Were we to roll over and capitulate, or walk off the pitch blaming the ref or roll our sleeves up and do all we could? The Colts have answered this question on many occaisions already this season, could they again after last weeks defeat? KEEPER was on the verge of self destructing while the rest stayed calm, Oakley came in for Sarapong. The 2nd half was one way traffic, The Colts took on 11 players, the ref and his lino while John Gridley remained fair on our line. Wellman chased a lost cause to the by line, he pulled it across goal with the keeper stranded, Oakley and Labinjo both could have scored before Howell smashed the ball past the keeper, who had returned to goal, with the sort of venom that eased a little of all our frustrations. Wellman again created problems and Howell backed him up before Labinjo scrambled home the equaliser. Game on! We were well up for it now with half an hour left. The game was onesided, they had lost their shape and we pushed for it. Oakley picked up the ball in the centre circle (or where it should have been) and drove forward, there never looked a doubt in his mind for what he was going to do and he strode to the edge of the box and right footed an arrowing drive into the bottom corner and he was delighted, so were we, we have been waiting 9 games Max! That is the perfect way to respond to being benched, point taken.
The rest of the game is a mix between a blur and disbelief but there were some good performances in there today. KEEPER shone but for his attitude, Couch was 200%, Asare was a rock, Oakley did all we have asked of him and more, Sarapong was back to his best and Wellman, even though he drew a blank played to a high level throughout rather than in fits and starts. Moreover, the tremendous attitude, will to win and united show of strength and character from the whole 14 was immense. A special thanks from Steve and Mark to Simon and James, they played little football today due to the nature of the game but remained 100% behind the team, your turns will come. Thanks to the parents for your continued support, the boys are a credit to you! |
