Big pots and wild animal warm ups kick start the stiffs season. It is hoped that Saturdays 2-4 cup win will put the 2’s season back on track and kick start what has been a slow start to this term.
The day started early with a 12.00 meet at London Bridge for everyone apart from Les, who got his wires crossed, so as we were getting on a train to Catford he was arriving at Highgate. Much of the discussion on the journey centred around the clubs new 60” TV – pretty much all agreed that it was pretty good, apart from Jeator, who argued that any TV over 32” wide was ‘Nouveau Riche’ so we would have been better served getting 2 of those. At this point Simmo looked particularly ashen-faced, as he had just splurged on a 37” in part of an attempted to make his newly acquired love-dungeon habitable. Discussion somehow turned to cutlery and pots and pans, at which point skipper Macca divulged that his pride and joy was his big cooking pot. When asked to elaborate, he described it as a ‘semi-cauldron’. Life is riot in the Ressies you know.
For a change, AP started well and soaked up early pressure and took an early lead through Dan Wilding, who shinned one over the line from 25 yards. AP continued to press and could have added more to the 0-1 score line within the opening minutes.
Despite looking solid throughout the early exchanges, AP were lucky to not concede an equaliser as a Citi striker ballooned an effort from no more than three yards. Spurred on by constant encouragement from skipper Dave Mac on the sidelines Wilson fed Harvey down the left flank and a pin point cross was headed home for Wilding’s second.
Unfortunately, the cruise control button was hit and a soft goal was conceded. Steve Eld was beaten to his left by a good drive from just outside the box. The remaining minutes were played out with little excitement and AP were happy to reach the interval with a 1 goal lead. AP regrouped, discussed improvements and entered the 2nd 45 with huge enthusiasm. It didn’t take long for the renewed work rate to pay dividends with Mike Hubbard putting AP 3-1 up with a well worked team goal. Sly, undeterred by rather ill-fitting shorts, and Ritchie had now stamped their authority on the game and were dominating the midfield and the back four looked solid with jeator sweeping behind the commanding Simmo.
At 1-3 the game should have been played out however, a moment of madness from defender Jeator put a comfortable score line in doubt. A long ball into the box was handled by jeator and protests the referee had no doubts in pointing to the spot and booking Alex for his animated protests. The resulting kick was duly despatched and it was game on.
At 2-3 Citi bombarded the AP 18 yard box with crosses and the final 15 minutes could have proved difficult; however a two goal cushion was restored as a long clearance up field was chased down by Harvey who took full advantage of a stranded keeper and looped a chip into the open net.
All in all a much improved performance and the 442 system seemed to work well for AP who have struggled to utilise the five man midfield in previous weeks. It is now vital that this performance is carried over into the league campaign.
