Match report
On a fine sunny afternoon, most of the team turned up on time and ready to get going aside Godfrey, who took the scenic route via Woking! There was a confident air about the squad today as we hoped that they would build on last weeks result, the squad was boosted by the inclusion of new signings Jamie Parker and Paul "Widget" Hennessy whilst Hill (Sick) and Fagan (playing up at school) were replaced by Asare and Ilesanmi. We were also blessed with a referee this week, a level 3 named Steve Child, what a difference he made from the clowns and jokers that we have suffered at times this season!
We started: KEEPER
Couch (C) Gridley Grosvenor
Borg Sarapong Barrett Oakley Moon
Wellman Hennessy
With Parker, Ilesanmi and Asare on the bench.
Colts, playing in yellow after a thorough warm up by Digger, started brightly. All the play for 15 minutes, Widget missing a couple of good oportunities on debut after getting in some good runs and linking well with Wellman before being caught with the usual sucker punch of falling behind to the first shot on our goal, too many players forgot to put pressure on the ball and the lad slotted neatly into the corner, come on boys, he should not have got the shot in! No panic button was pressed, The Colts stuck at it, although their rhythm had been disrupted and we gave away possession too many times with long balls to their keeper. Our possession was finally rewarded on 28 mins when a ball in from the right was taken down inside the area by Wellman and smashed at the keeper, who could only deflect it into his net, 1-1. The colts seemed to settle more and further dominated proceedings before Oakley seized on a clearance just outside the area on 37 mins before driving the ball over the keeper and into the roof of the net, 2-1. The only problems the Colts were having were generally being caused by our back 3 over elaborating while in possession but it was nothing disastrous and after possibly acquiring 80% of the first half in terms of possession, we only led 2-1. At half time the boys were praised for their endeavours but URGED to start the 2nd half playing at a high tempo, those pleas must have fallen on deaf ears as within 9 mins we were 2-3 behind. Captain Couch had a rush of blood to concede a needless foul, the referee played a good advantage to Colliers that did not ensue and correctly gave the free kick. It was dispatched past a hapless KEEPER with aplomb, we stood and applauded. Then 4 mins later we were behind, Gridley looked to be favourite until KEEPER called and headed clear before colliding with Gridley outside of his area, it was schoolboy football at its worst and we stood embarrassed as their striker walked the ball into an empty net. Then on 50, a min later, a decidedly similar keeper error allowed us to get on terms and Widget to open his account on debut, he rolled the ball around a stranded keeper, walked it towards goal and smashed it home from 2 yards, 3-3. It was at this point that we finally got into gear and assumed total control, Wellman burst down the right before blazing his 2nd under the keeper, 4-3. From Ilesanmi's cross, Widgets goalbound header was stabbed home by Grosvenor from all of a yard, 5-3. Oakley who was told to stay down as he appeared to be injured was fed the ball by Parker before he set of on a stylish run, evading at least 3 attempts to dispossess him as he weaved into the box before cooly rolling the ball past the outstretched keeper, now that is a contender for goal of the season with Jimmy B's from last week and just what we know you are capable of, do it more, 6-3! After missing a couple of decent opportunities, Parker again cut in from the left, as we willed him to open his account on his debut, he unselfishly rolled it to Wellman, who graciously accepted his hatty, 7-3. Then to wrap it up on 79, Parker, who shone exceptionally on his debut, capped off the 8-3 win with a sweet left footer.
Some excellent football was displayed by the boys today and a thorough team performance was given. Disappointing to concede 3 but we did only play 3 at the back. In a game where everyone performed at an acceptable level, Grosvenor stood out at the back aside when he dwelt on the ball for too long, Asare was commanding in midfield, Borg used his intelligent play and delivery to overcome a lack of pace superbly, Hennessy made a bright start to life at Wimbledon, Wellman looked on top form and bagged a hattrick, Ilesanmi was patient before he came on to perform admirably, Parker played in 3 positions on debut and looked superb in all of them but man of the match was ripped away from everyone with a most tenacious midfield display that was capped with 2 wonderful goals by Max Oakley. The only downside of the day was, behaviour from a decent KEEPER that has since, unfortunately, culminated with his release from the club. |
