Match Reports » December 2007

Old Esthameians 1st XI V Honourable Artillery Company 1st XI AFL Cup

Won 2-0

The game was unusual in that the E’s were able to select their strongest XI with no injuries and absentees, surely this can not last for long… The team lined up with Joe Widdows in goal, Brooks, Croker and Seaborne in defence, Ez and Cherrett wing backs, Price, Weaver and McQuaid in the middle and P.Nut and Steel up top, with Mills, Lowry and Fellowes on the bench.

E’s expected a tough game and a change to the line up was nearly made before kick off when E’s found out that linesman would be used, Steel was visibly upset and nervous at this prospect. Despite this E’s started the brighter of the two teams, passing the ball around in difficult conditions with the pitch cutting up and the wind causing additional problems. E’s soon started to boss the game and only a combination of players taking too long in possession and a lack of quality of the final ball stopped them opening the scoring in the first twenty minutes.

HAC were reduced to the rare attack that was smothered or cleared by the defence and goalkeeper. E’s were playing some fantastic football but were unable to score with P.Nut and Steel both guilty of misses when through one on one with the keeper. The keeper did well to block a Steel shot with his legs. From a corner E’s scrapped to take the lead, after 3 or 4 challenges the ball dropped to Cherrett who spun on a fifty pence piece before volleying through a crowd of players into the net 1-0.

E’s looked to have doubled the lead when to everyone’s amazement Steel went in for a challenge with the HAC goal keeper and the ball fell to McQuaid who rounded the keeper and squared to P.Nut 4 yards out with no one anywhere near him, he fired 10 yards over the bar and the ball has still not been recovered! Weaver though he had got the 2nd when his chest and volley sailed over the keeper only to come back off the underside of the crossbar.

The first 5minutes of the second half belonged to HAC, E’s playing uphill and into the wind failed to maintain possession and allowed HAC to assert some pressure onto the E’s defence which stood strong. E’s did grab a second goal when from another corner an Ez cross shot, his speciality was audaciously flicked in by Steel, 2-0.

The move of the game saw E’s break quickly from the back and feed the ball wide on the right to McQuaid whose cross was met first time by Steel and the HAC keeper superbly pushed round the post.

Cherrett did well to block a rare HAC shot and suffer a fractured left testicle, despite which he tried to play on. Sadly he only managed to play the HAC onside and after emptying the contents of his stomach on the pitch 4 times was replaced by Lowry. This saw Seaborne move into wing back.

Fellowes also replaced Steel up top and E’s should have extended their lead but importantly continued to create chances. The last of which fell to Croker who had made his way forward and swift passing in midfield put him clean through but the defender in him came out and he scuffed his shot wide of the right post. A very convincing performance with a record that now reads P11, W9, D1, L1. We now need to pick up points in the league next week against Merton.

• J Widdows 7, - Commanding presence came out for a few cross and got splattered at the end.
• S Brooks 7, - Solid game and always willing to have to ball although distribution needs to be quicker.
• D Croker 7, - Solid, covered well with a few vital interceptions, should have hit the target thought.
• G Seaborne 8 – Loves winning the headers, good all round performance again.
• A Chapman 6, - Set up the second goal and worked hard, especially in the first half.
• M Cherrett 6, - Scored after throwing up more times in the second half than he touched the ball in the first half!
• R Weaver 8, - Loves a scrap and always involved in the game, must be a shit to play against
• G Price 7, - Continues to battle and good distribution to maintain possession.
• A McQuaid 7, - Always wanting the ball and pushing other players to improve
• D Steel 7, - 2 goals in 2 games, the ginger is back, thanks apparent to Rupert the Cat
• P.Nut 6, - worst miss ever!!! Everything else he did was irrelevant…
• Fellowes 6, - Won some good flick-on’s and worked hard.
• Lowry 6, - Reliable when called upon.

Old E’s 2nd XI vs Civil Service

Drew 1-1 – Cooper

The travelling never seems to stop for another battle, this time Civil Service stood in our way. However, another week of having 15, then 11 then 12 etc etc.

I am not moaning about cry off's as they are bound to happen, its just how you deal with them. Missing experienced players has been our issue this year, so we were grateful to welcome back Jon Widdows.

After getting to Riverside drive with no time to spare (as is usual with the 2s this year.) We kicked off on a very blustery pitch that need an orienteering map for Alex and Sul to navigate around. If it weren't for Sul's magic BLUE boots he could have blown away in the near gales we endured today.

Civil started brightly, winning much in the way of aerial ball and using it more effectively than we did. We struggled to get to grips with the conditions, even though civil didn't rip us to shreds early on, they competed more than us. They created a number of chances, emanating from Torro's side of the pitch, not his or Kev's fault, but a hurricane does seem to have an effect!!

Skinny did really well on a number of occasions, as we failed to close down on the edge of the box; they took a few pot shots at Mr Clarke, who was more than equal to them. Gary kicked really well throughout the game and helped relieve the pressure on a number of occasions (possibly wanting to dance with Alex at one point being his only let down, no more unnecessary foray's outside our box I suggest). We weathered the storm (literally) and started to build on the solid defensive base we had established. Nosa and Damo connecting well to let Cooper get into their box to support our very busy strike force, who looked very dangerous without the full support of our midfield who had t be prepared to run doggies' for most of the match.

We started to force more pressure, even though we looked susceptible to breaks down the flanks, we worked harder. We were given a corner from a forced back pass, Kev trotted over to take it, and delivered a drilled ball to the front post (the allegation that Kev couldn't kick too far otherwise his back would go again we left unfounded) where Cooper ran forcefully to head us in front. It was lovely to hear the opponent’s congratulations for a well deserved goal, going with the run of play!!!!

We held out to half time, with one of their team missing a sitter from the edge of the box. Half time came and a great spirit we struck up and we complimented each other and Jon spoke of standing up and being counted (and other clichés' game of two halves, at the end of the day etc.) we started the second half with determination and go at Civil, who for a while were on the back foot. Sul and Lucas looked sharp, Lucas particularly looked red hot (and not due to the fact he was wearing a pair of his Mum's tight, yes really, tights). They created a couple of great chances and fired straight at the keeper, when he should have been tested more extensively. We then relaxed instead of going more forward, but Coops and Damo watched a lot of Civil's attacks sail over their heads and could force the game as much as they would have liked. Toddy and Jon had the strikers well marshalled and Torro and Alex supported excellently (although Toddy had a good game, not really marking and barking out orders to Alex as he is smaller than him, he definitely looked 5th team quality).

Civil were not really creating the clear cut chances they had in the first half, but got very lucky, when another pot shot wasn't closed down and was en route to the corner flag, until it hit Jon's Millsy-esque arse and deflected over Skinny. The game then started to turn Civil's way, as they piled forward and we introduced Matty Owen, who got their midfielder booked for a daft tackle. Matt made a great deal of difference, by helping out Alex and securing that side of the field. Kev did his defensive work well and put in some serious yards with a skippers performance in his own half. It must be mentioned that Skinny kept us in the game with an unbelievable save down to his right, which was heading into the bottom corner, until a 'flipper' type pounce turned the ball round the corner.

They had a number of corners and Jon and Torro dealt with them well and the ref blew for full time. Civil were very disappointed with the result, but neither of us deserved to win and our point is much more precious.

Two points to note: The attitude was excellent and the work unrelenting. We should welcome some more experience next week and bolster who confidence even further. The 2nd point is Sul's pink mobile phone, not needed. Please leave them at home with Lucas's tights!!

• MVP Jon Widdows