This week we played hosts to Walton and Hersham.
This was the 1st meeting between the 2 sides and having had a look at their previous results, they were a team that were capable of beating anyone on their day, and had a healthy ‘goals for’ record.
Scott and I were hoping that the boys would start as they played against Teddington, and they didnt disappoint.
We were 1-0 within 5 minutes, folloing a good move which led to Jasper ‘The Wasp’ running through from the right and finished with one of his trade mark ‘lobs’ over the keeper (Good finish Wasp – nice one).
Walton didnt let this unsettle them and they looked dangerous on the break, with a nippy little forward and a good right winger and central midfield player who were combining well and causing us some problems.
Armin Ansari, continued his fine run of form and notched our 2nd, following a tap in at the far post, after good work by Jasper on the right.
(Armin, great timing of the run to ensure that you were at the right place at the right time. Any earlier and you would have been marked – any later and the chance would have gone. A great example of timing from a wide player, when the ball is on the opposite side of the field)
Armin, wasnt happy with 1 goal, and soon got his 2nd and Saints 3rd of the game, when a shot by The Wasp was saved, but good following up by Armin allowed him to tap home.
At 3-0 we were cruising, but a ‘mad’ 5 minutes just before half time led to Walton scoring twice, to leave the score 3-2 at the break.
The half time talk was frank and to the point. All the players shouldered the responsibility for the lack of concentration. No fingers could be pointed at any individual for the 2 goals that we had just seen put past us.
(Remember – we score as a team, and we concede as a team).
The players picked up in the second half, and we tried to keep possession and close the opposition down early.
We played well in patches, but the performance wasnt as ’fluid’ as we have been when we have been at our best.
However it was Saints who were looking more threatening and our 4th came from Callum Hartin.
The Saints 5th soon followed and it was the move of the match.
Walton had the ball in our left back area. Sam Clarke confronted the player but was unable to win the ball. James Price correctly came over and ‘doubled’ up at which point we won the ball back.
Clarkey ran the ball out and played it into Dan Graingers feet just inside our half. Dan turned and played an over the top through ball, which Callum ran onto, and slid it under the body of the advancing keeper, with his 1st touch.
Superb example of defending (delay + doubling up), good transition (defence into attack), and clinical finishing!
The full time score was 5-2 and we notched up our 5th league victory of the season.
Walton were a good side and physical, but we matched them in that department.
Again some good performances from a number of players, but this week the MOM accolade went to Calum Hartin.
This week we were were hosted by Teddington, who had earlier in the season beaten us 8-1 in our own back yard.
If they had any ideas that it would be a similar result, and that we would roll over and have our bellies tickled, they would soon find out that this would certainly not be the case.
Teddington are a very good footballing side, but also have a physical presence about them, but this week we matched them in both departments.
We were playing some good football and looking to retain possession. We tackled hard and battled for the loose balls (not so good on the ‘heading front’ though, and this would be our undoing when the final curtain fell).
Despite matching Teddington in every department, it was the hosts who would score the opening goal. A well work moved down our right, led to their striker being allowed an un-Opposed shot on the edge of our box, which was well put away, low to Tom’s right, having got some assistance off the post.
Shortly after this, we went close when Malik hit the post from close range. unfortunately the post did not help our shot into the net, it only helped to clear the ball away for Teddington!
The half came to an end at 1-0, but we more than in the game.
The 2nd half was another even affair, but Teddington struck twice (both with headers), to go 3-0 up.
(1 goal from a striker who was unmarked on the far post, and the 2nd by a midfielder running to the far post un-tracked from a free kick)
Remember lads, its ok to head a ball and get your hair dirty – thats what shampoo is for!!!
Daniel Grainger scored a consolation goal for us, with a sweetly struck shot from the edge of the box, and the game ended 3-1.
It was very pleasing to see that we can compete against the very best sides in the league.
If we can show that type of commitment and effort every week, then we will win more games than we lose, and it will be us, challenging for league titles.
A good display boys – well done.
Tom DOWNHAM won the MOM, award, having made some very good saves throughout the game.
Hello everyone
It was cup day yesterday, and we hosted Guildford City in the 1/4 finals of the league cup competition.
The Guildford City side contained some of the players who were part of the team that we beat on the opening day of the season.
However the result was not to go as it did on that day!
The Saints were down within 3 minutes, and by half time it was 2-0.
It was a good game, and we were retaining possession really well. Unfortunately we couldnt turn that possession into goals.
Guildford City had 2 very good, fast and skilful forwards, who combined very well. They were giving us lots of problems, and forced several good saves from Tom.
We started the second half full of belief but soon found ourselves 3 down. Daniel pulled one back for us, but it was Guildford City who notchd the next 3, and we were 6-1 down.
Kieran D, scored our second with a neat left footed finish, before the final whistle, to end the game 6-2.
The scoreline did not reflect the game, as we certainly played better than the scoreline suggested.
However Guildford City were worthy winners, and we wish them luck in the semi finals.
Everyone played well yesterday and positives can be said about them all, but the MOM was down to the ‘in-form’ Armin ANSARI and Mr consistent Ed Wallace.
Ed just got the nod ahead of Armin, for his commitment, work rate and desire to win.
He didnt pull out of a challenge all game, and let the City forwards kow they were in a game, and were not going to have it their own way all game!!!!
Theres always next year!!!
Thanks Suj and Scott
P.s Who was the Ref? He was good!
Hello everyone,
This week saw the team play their 1st competitive match since the 20th December when we beat Farnham Panthers.
The winning run was extended to 2, following a 9-1 win over Byfleet in the last 16 of the cup.
It was clear that the players hadn’t played together for a while as we disjointed for the main, although we did show improvement in the second half.
I didn’t write the goals down this week, so from the best of my memory they went like this:
1 – A great ball by Max Downham, split the Byfleet defence and found Harry Smith who had made a good run down the right. A low hard cross beat the Byfleet defenders to find Kieran Dennis unmarked on the far post who tapped home to score into an unguarded net.
(Pass of the game also – well done Max)
2 – The ‘Machine’ Malik Adeniran-Adams, had only been on the pitch for a few minutes, when he was the quickest to react to a loose ball in the box, and poke the ball past the on-coming Byfleet keeper into the corner of the net.
3 – Jasper Willow-Hart aka ‘The wasp’, doesn’t seem to score simple tap ins! A great run out on the right, a cut inside and then a smashing shot from the edge of the box saw the ball fly high over the keeper and into the net, to give the Saints a healthy lead.
4 – The 4th came from Archie Foy, who following a good solo run, from just inside the oppositions half, ended up with a shot from the edge of the box, which beat the keeper low to his right.
HALF – TIME.
Although we were 4, up, the players were too compact when attacking. We talked about how we could improve in the second half, and we decided that Width and Depth was the key when attacking, and anticipating the play. Therefore players around and away from the ball needed to, move into space early and not be static waiting to receive it.
This is where my memory could be wrong!!!!
5 – Malik, once again was the 1st to react in the box when the ball was loose and nipped in to score his 2nd of the game.
6 – Malik, got his hat-trick (and added a few £ to his pocket money) when his speed once again, unlocked Byfleet. A straight race between Malik and the Byfleet keeper, ended with Malik just nipping the ball past the Byfleet keeper, before slotting the ball home for a well deserved hat-trick.
It may have been at this time that Byleet scored one. As usual I missed it!!!! Im told that we lost the ball on the edge of our defending 3rd, which resulted in a Byfleet player, scoring one of those ‘wonder goals’ that Tom couldn’t do much about (unless he was a couple of feet taller)
To be fair to Byfleet, it was what they deserved, as they continued to play hard, despite being 6 goals down.
7- Harry Smith, notched his 1st for the club, following a good shot from the edge of the box.
8 – Archie – Another run, by Archie, had the same result as the 1st half, when a well struck shot from the edge of the box, saw the ball ripple the net – good brace Archie.
9 – Max was the recipient of some good following in when he got himself on the score-sheet.
Great work by Armin Ansari down the left (Super turn – allowing the ball to run, outfoxed Byfleet) and ended with a shot which was well saved by the keeper. Olly Luscombe followed up and everyone was willing for him to score, as he had worked hard up front, saw his shot run out of steam, as it failed to cross the line. Good anticipation by Max, ensured that when he came up against the Byfleet defenders and keeper, it was Max that won the duel, and he forced the ball over the line for the Saints 9th.
Some great individual displays today, and I could write positives on each and every player, but as always there can only ever be 1 MOM.
Armin ANSARI took the accolade this week. Great work rate, super retention of the ball, creativity in the attacking third, and didnt fail on his defensive duties. Well done Armin, a very well deserved recipient of the award this week.
(Jasper, Max and Harry Smith were also contenders this week)
Well dones to Malik on his Hat-trick, Archie on his brace, along with the other goal scorers (Max, Jasper, Harry and Kieran)
Lets hope we can keep the cup run going. Through to the quarter finals – only 2 wins away from wembley!!!!
