Match reports - December 8, 2007

HAC 1 1st XI 1 Any faint hopes we had of promotion have well and truly disappeared and justly so. In fact, to be anywhere near the top of the table is remarkable having regard to our preparation and approach to our games.

For the third year running we had 7 players at the ground 15 minutes from the scheduled start which is exceptionally poor as we know that the ground is difficult to find and reach – perhaps next season we will make a better fist of it. At least we had 11 so bettering our last trip to the wonders of the Crystal Palace area. We should have had 12 but where Andy Duff was up to was anybody’s guess although the writing was on the wall of his appearing when his mobile phone was switched off at 13.30 and also at 14.00. Thanks for letting us all down.

Anyway, a distinct lack of training and lack of ability to make meet times in general – we have not had one match where we have all been at any ground on time – has come home to roost and we now have a mid table position as a just reward.

All said and done after we had settled down against an efficient but not outstanding HAC team we dominated play but were always vulnerable on the break and fair to say it was Robbo who was the busier of the keepers dealing with everything thrown at him. Matt Cook had his best game of the season but does need to slow down at the crucial time of executing what he intends to execute and Nick Lewis was outstanding at right midfield but marking his card with an unnecessary yellow card towards the end. We missed a hatful of chances but took the lead somewhat fortuitously when Eds’ short corner drive was saved by the HAC’s very much in form keeper only for the ball to bounce in off a defender’s knee. At that point with 15 minutes to go we should have wrapped it up and gone home with 3 points as HAC were down to 10 and struggling. However they equalized when we have the oppo far too much time in the circle and a shot from the top squeezed past Robbo who will be disappointed at letting the shot in – the only disappointment he will have had all season thus far.

Suddenly we were fighting to save the game with both Ed Breton and Nick off the pitch but hang on we did.

Reckoning on promotion this year is a delusion and if we are serious at trying to climb up the leagues we need to have a good look at ourselves and decide if we wish to change our approach and attitude or be content with being able to beat every team in our league on our day but knowing that our day may only come along once in 3 weeks. David Knapp

Woking 1 3rd XI 2We took three points in a dominating game over Woking by beating the bottom side 2-1 after dropping to 10 men after 10 minutes. With the rain pouring down turning a cold December afternoon into a miserable afternoon veterans Jon Gray and Wade Pollard had gallantly stepped in to bring our numbers to 11 following another week of player shortages.

Taking a rain head-on, an open game followed with no real structure being established in the first five minutes. Wade and Chris however started to make some presence felt on the left flank and providing some opportunities to Bruce and Jon upfront. The defence began to find their structure with Tim J holding court admirably and picking up the occasional loose ball. Wade however took a nasty injury on his thumb and had to take himself off to Woking A&E to join the legions of amateur sports players already there. As the game developed, the absence of Wade made Chris’s job slightly more energetic as he controlled the left flank.

A breakthrough for Woking against the run of play where a flick was awarded (a fair decision) which Woking capitalised on and took the lead. The game started to find rhythm and some solid passing between Jon and Rich up the right flank showed strong promise. Jock's insistence of trying to single handed dribble out of the defence had mixed successes and after trying to flick the ball which resulted in a dribble to their striker forced Kelson to cover the team's collective arses. The defence held firm and Tim and Tom Pollard made some strong tackles with Jock picking some great tackles to occasionally distribute the ball forward. Attacks started to come and off a short corner, the Woking keeper did well to keep the ball out with a dramatic dive however it wasn't until a hit up pitch from Adam, picked up by Armitage and a running 1-2 with Rich led to a Armitage chipping the ball over the sliding keeper to take the game to 1-1 and half-time one minute later.

The second half started with vigour and although Adam at Left back was kept busy with an awkward right midfielder, Tim and Chris controlled their attacks down our left. Strong passing and teamwork flowed with Jon, Rich and Bruce linking up very well to attack fluidly on several occasions. Although the keeper was beaten twice with some cute skills, the Woking defence did well to keep the score lever. It wasn't until an attack followed where the Woking keeper lay on the ball and gave away a penalty flick that Bruce stepped up and put the ball ridiculously close to the keeper but still managed to take us in front for the first time in the day.

With 10 minutes remaining, the game opened up and the ball speed was good with good team work never really gave Woking the opportunity to get the game back. The game concluded with the rain once again still pouring, a complaining Woking player that the flick was unfair (it was your umpire Woking!) and Tim Judd being man-of-the-match. As always, we would like to dedicate the win to Diagio for their continued supply of Guinness. James Armitage