The 5s in happier times
Only one game made it through the weekends wet weather. A 1-1 draw for the 5s against Crouch End Vampires with a goal from the in form Danny Howarth. Here’s the match report;
Crouch End Vampires 5s 1 – 1 Alexandra Park 5s
Goal; D Howarth
I started my last match report talking about cry offs and its disappointing that I have to the same here. At least I get to add “pulling” in the all time top excuses (just below “last minute wedding” but above “I’ve got my finger stuck in a door”).
Arriving at Coppetts Road it was nice to see some 1’s players – although Big Bad Bukkas appeared to be shepherding them away from the ground – minding of course not to get any of there well coiffured bonces wet. With half the team ready for the game news reached the dressing room that we we’re sharing with our 6s that all games had been called off – hence the quick getaway for the 1s. Most of the 6s and some of the 5s left immediately. We were then told that there would be a pitch inspection for both games. Cue frantic phone calls to players departed, chaos reigned.
Eventually the Vamps found ¾ of a playable pitch and the remaining 5s were joined by the few 6s still at the ground (thanks to Myers, Loughnane and Kanybekov for staying and playing (and Shah for staying)) for a game of “football”.
From the off the game fell into the pattern of the previous fixtures between the teams. Our passing never really getting going on a surface that was barely playable and the physical Vamps team looking dangerous with their uncomplicated style. The ball never held up top for us, the Vamps midfield were dominant and our defence was panicky.
And so it wasn’t surprising when they took the lead, a short corner to an unmarked Vamps midfielder on the edge of the box was rifled straight at but somehow appeared to go through Taylor’s large head. Noakes said later he could have got to it but thought Taylor was on the post for that reason, as such the full back held his hand up.
The war of attrition continued – the watching die hard AP ensemble encouraged us on but our play was fragmented. The few moments that we did put any passes together looked hopeful but not many chances were generated for either team.
We equalised after some good passing released McGahey down the right wing and the striker crossed for D Howarth who outmuscled the defender and headed home for his third goal in as many games.
We talked about how we could go on and win the game at half time. The pitch though became more difficult and later changes for Taylor, Burwell and D Howarth for Kanybekov, Myers and Loughnane couldn’t affect the score line.
A disappointing set of results against the divisions bottom team leaves us in sixth place but only 5 points behind 2nd. With 6 games left its within our gift to find some much needed consistency and push for promotion.
Team: Noakes, Findlay, Burwell (Myers), McGlogan, Taylor (Kanybekov), Kralik, K Howarth (C), Donnelly, McGoohan, McGahey, D Howarth (Loughnane).
