Scorers: Glassar, Liam, Jenkins
The 8’s were all up for it – shock, horror we even all met on time, we gathered at the oppo ground’s (locked) gates (as dictated by the newsletter) and waited patiently, and waited, and waited…… and waited. But no oppo.
What followed was like something out of a scene from the Italian Job, after a few frantic phone calls we set off with a convoy of ever shitter motors racing around the leafy cobbled streets of Harrow – to, you guessed it reader, the wrong ground… again. Another phone call and the cavalcade set off again! Cue sweaty brows, swearing and an eighties sound track chase sequence…
Finally arriving at the right pitch we changed in record time and then virtually had to beg the ref to let us play and play we did. Lawry quickly munched on Jenks’ banana before the game – but that’s another story.
The 8’s have had a good season so far and we played very well again. Lawry volunteered to go in goal (well done sir) and the back four were solid led by Robbo & Uli who cut everything out early doors. Matt Wilson and Sam Heath were brilliant at full back. We expect this from Matt and he is an early contender for player of the season for us – but Sam usually has central midfield duties and matched Wilson’s performance – not an easy task for a seasoned full back, let alone a temporary one – well done Sam.
Captain fantastic Eric was up for everything, winning challenges in midfield he had no right to win and doing it all with a smile on his face, the true gentleman footballer of our times I’m sure you agree. Tom has been great in the middle too recently (not least his strike from the cup game the previous week) – his arial ability and first touch make him a real prospect in a deeper lying role. Together they bossed the midfield and restricted OL to little meaningful possesion.
In general AP dominated the first half, we had better possession and made some good half chances with Louis and Jenkins linking up well up top.
Infact it was Sam Heath’s quick throw in that Jenkins, with a cushioned flick, played into the path of Louis who calmly lifted the ball over the oncoming keeper. Great finish. 1 – 0 to us. AP dominated the first half with Harrison impressing again, on the left of midfield. Liam slotted in well on the right of midfield.
Half time came and two minutes later we were kicking off (the fading light being on our collective minds) we scored a great team goal, with Eric finding Marco with a lovely chipped ball over the top, Marco played the ball into Louis who back heeled it to the waiting Liam who smashed the ball into the roof of the net from 12 yards – cracking strike Liam. Cue some homo erotic muddy man hugs!
We did not have the game all our own way though and Old Lyionians hit us on the break not long after – we had the ball by their corner flag and they broke down our right hand side and slipped a goal in – no blame apportioned to any individuals but at two nil up we should have done better as a team for their opener.
It must be noted that Jamie and Eric in midfield gave us our tempo in the 2nd half and were all both quick into the tackle limiting their playmaker’s ability to control the game – all our good offensive work came from good early passing or switching the play at speed – the pitch allowed us to do this and it was probably one of the best we have played on.
Luckily (as it was to turn out) we scored a third, with the quick footed Harrison releasing Louis with a crisp early pass, Louis tried again to lift it over the keeper – who made a great save – it fell into the path of Jenkins who passed it into an empty net. 3 – 1.
Robbo and Uli continued to keep things locked at the back, often putting their heads in where others would fear to put their feet! Two solid centre backs and we are very lucky to have them.
Old Lyionians snatched a second to give us a nervy finish – we went to a five man midfield and held out, very pleasing to see the grit and determination shown. Marco had a good effort saved at the near post toward the end and the ref’s final whistle signalled another well won 3 points. Always nice to play with new lads and Marco and Liam slotted in well. Hopefully their ear drums have recovered from all the shouting we do!
Up the 8’s – maybe give us the wrong address again next week, I think the adrenalin did us some good!
MoM – Our full backs Sam Heath & Matt Wilson share the champagne this week. Although, to be fair there were a number of candidates. Storming stuff chaps.
