Match report November 26 2011

A pair of head-to-heads with London Academicals ended with 2-1 wins for the 1st and 2nd XIs in two hard-fought encounters, the Ladies picked up a much-needed point with a 1-1 draw at Spencer, while there were defeats for the 3rd XI and both Veterans sides

1st XI 2-1 London Academicals

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Two weeks ago we set ourselves the target of 10 points from the last 4 games and with 2 down 6 points have been secured from the teams in the promotion mix. Following the victory against Barnes last week it was crucial we took soemthing from today's game albeit without both Woody and Hunts, the latter making his 2s debut.

Ultimately the game was very scrappy with neither side wanting to lose and as a result snuffing out the other side in a dour midfield battle with cards a plenty. We took the lead following a super run from CV who set up Bentsy whose shot was stopped on the line ( possibly just over the line) and Rippers despatched the stroke. CV had a vintage first 15 minutes carving holes in the Academicals defence with deft touches and using the space behind the defence well. The lead did not last long and Academicals drew level with a low dragflick to Coops left but we should have regained the lead twice when great breaks just of the half.

The tight game was dominated in the second half by 3 or 4 more green cards, 5 yellows and a red, our receiving 3 yellows and Academicals 2 yellows and a red. The match was just not that type of game and to an extent ruined the flow. Nevertheless we profited scoring our second through a Rob Merry short corner strike 7 minutes from the end having weathered heavy pressure for the 5 minutes we were down to 9 men. No question that the Dean defensive drills helped us defend with reasonable ease.

With time running out and Academicals down to 10 following the red, we made the cardinal sin of trying to score a third with a minute to go instead of keeping the ball in the opposition half and a break resulted in a stroke being awarded to Academicals with 20 seconds to go. Untypically for Rhys it was fired wide and we held on for a massive win.

We possibly shaded the game and deserved the win but Academicals did have a golden opportunity to level the scores but spurned the chance and how important will that be at the end of March? Rolf Harris

London Academicals 2nd XI 1-2 2nd XI
A clash with the league leaders with both teams on home turf was always going to be hard fought battle. But one that we were up for, no hangovers was detected on the side of the pitch. The day did not start so well, with Peeps pulling his back before even stepping out on the pitch. Luckily though the Nick offered to drop Hunts at Twickenham after the game leaving us with 12 for the game or so we thought.....

The captain had made the decision to play with is bro up front, a risky one but a decision that certainly paid off. The game started with us moving the ball around well, keeping possession but not really penetrating the London Ac’s defence. We used Chris OND and Hugo at the back to distribute the ball.

We did start to get the ball up to the Lewis Bro’s with Hunts, Guessy and JP making the runs and distributing it well. The 1’s arriving for their game offered some good support (and abuse) which really help motivate us, so thanks to them for using their voices.

Lewis and Lewis were starting to create some opportunities, if only Lewi had started to anticipate his Nick’s 3 “perfect” passes into their D. The other injury was to Nick Phillips, his first game of the season for the 2’s and seemed to settling into the team well, until pulling up with a Hamstring problem.

Going in at half time we all level probably a fair score line . The first 20 minutes in the second half would be crucial; we had a take the game to them. In the second half we started to win some short corners. The captain had made another good decision that he should strike the first, then mix it up with Hunts flicking it. Alex stuck the ball into the bottom right hand corner.

Lewis brothers were combining well up front and starting to make some great runs down the line. This started to put more pressure on. With another shorty coming, the ball was struck in in front of the keeper and JP getting his stick in front, slotting the ball into the roof of the net. 2-0 up with 10 minutes left, we did have some nervous moments. We switched off at the back, which was rare, I thought Mez, Alan, Hugo and Chris OND kept us pretty secure all game, instead of We had to hold out for one more minute before the final whistle. Did feel like a long minute, especially from the sidelines.

We did hold out and the game finished 2-1. Thanks to London Acs for playing in a very enjoyable well spirited match, we are looking forward to the return fixture. MOM goes to Chris OND, for being extremely influential throughout the match. DOD Peeps, sorry mate I know its harsh! CB

Spencer 1-1 Ladies

3rd XI 3-6 Surbiton
No complaints with the result as we went down to a Surbiton side who oddly were below us in the league at the start. They dominated the first half to go into the break 2-0 up, but a much better second-half performance saw us level at 2-2 before Surbiton again upped a gear and scored three quick goals. Honour in defeat, and relief we only have to take to the pitch with Surbiton's boorish bearded defender once more this season.
Hamstrings 2-3 Maidenhead

East Grinstead 12-0 Barnstormers