OK its cliche time! A game of two halves. Its at this moment i feel like Tony Blair - knowing that in this report there is no need for sound bites although like him i do feel the hand of history on our shoulders!!!
The team talk in the dressing room was clean crisp and to the point, with the occasional interruption from a keen Kristian determined to hand out his sweets whilst his Dad delivered the talk to what looked like a quiet, uninterested, sleepy squad.
Had the 1 hour lack of sleep due to the clocks changing affected our players?
First half started well and within a few minutes its was 1-0 with Ben W (Man of the Match) shooting a looping shot from distance. The 2nd goal came from Ben S and almost immediately after Ben W was on the score sheet again. It could have been so different if Ben W had actually listened to Nick to drop deeper but Ben being Ben didnt listen and luckily the ball landed at his feet for him to neatly finish. At 3-0 it seemed as though Wendover could go on and score many more, but a mix up of huge proportions lead to Ayelsbury watching a shot dribble past 2 defenders and a keeper to pull the game back to 3-1.
Whilst the half continued the opportunites were coming and we needed to get on the end of some superb through balls by Dan to finish this game!
On 18 minutes Adam and Georgi were on for Alex and Rory. Josh had a great chance to score after a run which saw him skip by 3 Aylesbury defenders to see his shot finally saved by the keeper.
Jack was looking as strong as ever with many a kick out of his hands clearing the half way line. Ben W headed the ball backwards for Ben S to follow up on but only to see his shot just fly wide of the goal - so unlucky! Goal 4 came soon after with Ben S passing the ball inch perfect through the middle of the Aylesbury defence like a hot knife through butter, Josh finished sweetly. Aylesbury were not offering much and it was felt that another AFC scoreline could be on the cards when Ben W completed his hat-trick with the goal of the game. A huge clearance by Jack saw the ball bounce twice for Ben W to volley into the right side of the net. 5-1.
Second Half - WHAT A CONTRAST
After being in control - all seemed to go pear shaped. Aylesbury scored 2 very quick goals after the restart both with through balls through the middle of defence cutting us apart and making it 5-3 with 25 minutes still on the clock!!! Aylesbury took control, Wendover looked out of shape and the midfield had all but vanished. This was also made worse when a one on one with Jack ended up in a studs up challenge leaving Jack injured on the ground and it could have been so much worse than thankfully it was! The Aylesbury player was quick to apologise and the ref (who had a great game) had a quiet word and that was that.
Wendover did have their chances whith Ben W putting a great ball through to Josh who hit it just wide - i think he had more time but after such a great performance it's harsh to criticise. Brandon worked exceptionally hard in the game with some solid defensive work and ensuring that his position was solid. Adam had a speculative shot which went wide and then went in for a challenge on the Aylesbury player that had previously hurt Jack this time leaving the opposition on the floor in pain! At 5-3 all were starting to get worried about the potential outcome which was going to be in Aylesburys favour as our performance in the second half didnt warrant a result. One break forward lead to a goal making it 6-3, a fantastic cross from Georgi on the left to see Ben S delicately finish, the shock came when the linesman raised his flag for offside, which according to the mums near the linesman it was a very dodgy decision!!! It remains 5-3 and the panic is starting!!! Aylesbury scored again to make it 5-4 but this proved just too late with the final whistle going almost immediately after the goal was scored.
Some learnings from this game. We need to play better if we want to stay in the division and Nicks point of it being 3-0 in the second half to Aylesbury was a strong one - we must learn and play better. Nevertheless it was 3 points and some great performances - WELL DONE BOYS!
Sunday, 29 March 2009
AFC Lightning 0 Wendover 12 (officially 10)
No need for the special powers of gummy bear here. The AFC lightning team have had a good few heavy beatings this season and, to be frank, the game looked up before kick-off. Our boys looked athletic and bristling with confidence, theirs slump-shouldered and reluctant. On the sidelines, there were more Wendover supporters than AFC, which says a lot about the unfortunate state of their team. I would add that we were much better looking, as well as being far more savvy than them. Nonetheless, we enjoyed a threat and controversy free game, which is more than could be said for recent games against yobbish opposition and previous games against AFC.
To some, especially the usual Wendover groupies, the highlight was most probably the ref., who sported a pair of tight shorts from the late 70’s and thus revealed a good pair of thighs and appropriate tackle. Joking apart, he was actually a very good arbiter of the rules, my son commenting with no provocation that ‘he was really nice.’ And that’s important, in fact. So top marks for the ref, who did get it all right, in my opinion. And top marks for the AFC supporters and coaches who were very nice.
The match quickly reverted to type, with Wendover playing down hill. We had pace and quality (as Mr Seaton would correctly have it) all over the pitch, whilst they had nothing much to offer except a willing goalie who kept the score down to sensible numbers. Josh scored 3 or 4, Max scored 3 (one a header, reminiscent of two years ago), Ben S. scored 2 (I think) Ben W. scored 1 or 2, Ed scored 1 (goal of the match, of course) and I think that was it as far as goals were concerned. There was such a cavalcade that it was difficult to keep up.
Max was man of the match, which is fair enough. He scored 3 and his work-rate was 110% (no football report would be complete without it). They were all pretty good or better. Jack was again very confident, although he was probably the only cold player on the pitch, as he didn’t have that much to do. Rory was very good again, showing skills beyond that of a normal full back. Jake seemed back to his imperious best, with his outstanding reading of the play in front of him. Must be his best position. Luke was fantastic, again. Heads, kicks with both feet, good pace… Brandon, brilliantly effective as usual. Stretchy legs in the tackle and good passing out of defence. Dan was mobile, passed into space, tackled beyond his weight. Typical Dan. Ben W, destructive and increasingly constructive. Fantastic stamina and scoring goals again. Ed was absolutely brilliant, as ever. Plays ‘heads-up’ football , mixed with the ability to dribble at pace. And has the best-looking dad on the sidelines. Lines are now open for guessing who is writing this report. Georgi was unfortunately hampered by a repeat injury on that inflicted by the savages of Widmer End. Nonetheless, he supplied a couple of good crosses and was millimetres away form a goal of his own. Ben S. was typically tenacious and finished with venom any chance that came his way. Let’s hear it for Tony Oxley’s legendary Samba team, from which both Ben and Ed graduated. Josh was electric. His pace put the fear of god up the defence and his finishing was immaculate.
So it’s Aylesbury next weekend. We need to win that one. We should do, but the league seems to have become much less predictable.
P.S. If anybody knows any ‘bruisers’, could they bring them along to the Widmer away game. It would be nice to see if they are quite as excitable if we could drum up a couple of ‘Martin Johnsons.’ And that reminds me…..Irish absolutely lucky to win the grand-slam! Cheers !
Any comments on this report welcome, but they will be ignored.
To some, especially the usual Wendover groupies, the highlight was most probably the ref., who sported a pair of tight shorts from the late 70’s and thus revealed a good pair of thighs and appropriate tackle. Joking apart, he was actually a very good arbiter of the rules, my son commenting with no provocation that ‘he was really nice.’ And that’s important, in fact. So top marks for the ref, who did get it all right, in my opinion. And top marks for the AFC supporters and coaches who were very nice.
The match quickly reverted to type, with Wendover playing down hill. We had pace and quality (as Mr Seaton would correctly have it) all over the pitch, whilst they had nothing much to offer except a willing goalie who kept the score down to sensible numbers. Josh scored 3 or 4, Max scored 3 (one a header, reminiscent of two years ago), Ben S. scored 2 (I think) Ben W. scored 1 or 2, Ed scored 1 (goal of the match, of course) and I think that was it as far as goals were concerned. There was such a cavalcade that it was difficult to keep up.
Max was man of the match, which is fair enough. He scored 3 and his work-rate was 110% (no football report would be complete without it). They were all pretty good or better. Jack was again very confident, although he was probably the only cold player on the pitch, as he didn’t have that much to do. Rory was very good again, showing skills beyond that of a normal full back. Jake seemed back to his imperious best, with his outstanding reading of the play in front of him. Must be his best position. Luke was fantastic, again. Heads, kicks with both feet, good pace… Brandon, brilliantly effective as usual. Stretchy legs in the tackle and good passing out of defence. Dan was mobile, passed into space, tackled beyond his weight. Typical Dan. Ben W, destructive and increasingly constructive. Fantastic stamina and scoring goals again. Ed was absolutely brilliant, as ever. Plays ‘heads-up’ football , mixed with the ability to dribble at pace. And has the best-looking dad on the sidelines. Lines are now open for guessing who is writing this report. Georgi was unfortunately hampered by a repeat injury on that inflicted by the savages of Widmer End. Nonetheless, he supplied a couple of good crosses and was millimetres away form a goal of his own. Ben S. was typically tenacious and finished with venom any chance that came his way. Let’s hear it for Tony Oxley’s legendary Samba team, from which both Ben and Ed graduated. Josh was electric. His pace put the fear of god up the defence and his finishing was immaculate.
So it’s Aylesbury next weekend. We need to win that one. We should do, but the league seems to have become much less predictable.
P.S. If anybody knows any ‘bruisers’, could they bring them along to the Widmer away game. It would be nice to see if they are quite as excitable if we could drum up a couple of ‘Martin Johnsons.’ And that reminds me…..Irish absolutely lucky to win the grand-slam! Cheers !
Any comments on this report welcome, but they will be ignored.
Sunday, 15 March 2009
Wendover 3 Widmer 1 (Cup Semi Final)
Not only did the boys endure the hard work of 2 Cup semi-finals in 2 days but they also had the amazing musical inspiration of Gummy Bear to spur them on. Widmer had a game plan according to what can only be described as "passionate" parents from the side (with a few threats of violence and some swearing thrown in).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z47EUaIFrdQ
This was a game very similar to the Prestwood game of last week. It required concentration, focus and a real determination and fight to win! The first 15 minutes was a real typical midfield FA Cup type battle. The game was tense and really could have gone either way, Wendover just had slightly more possession which then worked in their favour. Ben S had a great game linking up with Josh extremely well and on 20 minutes could have put us 1 up only to see his shot headed off of the line by a Widmer defender. Ben S then worked with Josh playing a perfectly weighted pass into Josh's feet 1 on 1 with the keeper but this time the keeper saved it! The opener was yet another great strike from Ed straight from the Paul Scholes school of shooting. It reminded me of his goal against Tunisia in the World Cup 98!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8-HY2V__DU
The second half started in much the same vain as the first with Wendover working their socks off and eventually coming up with the reward. Jack who looks more and more solid in goal with every game delivered a huge goal kick for Josh to control perfectly and get in his favourite position of 1 on 1 with the keeper. What a clean finish putting Wendover 2-0 up and looking good for it. Widmer pulled one back with a looping shot on goal that went just over Jacks head making it 2-1.
The defence really did play their part in this match. Jack had a great game but the boys in front of him worked especially hard with Rory (man of the match) coming on as sub and making some excellent interceptions. Ben W also contributed so much to the middle of the park and the defence helping the back four make sure that Widmer had no way through! Georgi took a nasty knock to the ankle which kept him out of the rest of the game.
5 minutes before the end Wendover finished the game off perfectly Ed played another one of his speciality passes (one of half a dozen in the game) straight into the path of Josh who found Alex who calmly finished with a simple shot in off the inside of the post. The best thing about the goal was watching Nick leap like a gazelle!! I dont know whether it was because his beloved Alex had scored or that Wendover were in the FINAL!!!!!!!
WELL DONE BOYS (oh and thanks to Gummy Bear)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z47EUaIFrdQ
This was a game very similar to the Prestwood game of last week. It required concentration, focus and a real determination and fight to win! The first 15 minutes was a real typical midfield FA Cup type battle. The game was tense and really could have gone either way, Wendover just had slightly more possession which then worked in their favour. Ben S had a great game linking up with Josh extremely well and on 20 minutes could have put us 1 up only to see his shot headed off of the line by a Widmer defender. Ben S then worked with Josh playing a perfectly weighted pass into Josh's feet 1 on 1 with the keeper but this time the keeper saved it! The opener was yet another great strike from Ed straight from the Paul Scholes school of shooting. It reminded me of his goal against Tunisia in the World Cup 98!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8-HY2V__DU
The second half started in much the same vain as the first with Wendover working their socks off and eventually coming up with the reward. Jack who looks more and more solid in goal with every game delivered a huge goal kick for Josh to control perfectly and get in his favourite position of 1 on 1 with the keeper. What a clean finish putting Wendover 2-0 up and looking good for it. Widmer pulled one back with a looping shot on goal that went just over Jacks head making it 2-1.
The defence really did play their part in this match. Jack had a great game but the boys in front of him worked especially hard with Rory (man of the match) coming on as sub and making some excellent interceptions. Ben W also contributed so much to the middle of the park and the defence helping the back four make sure that Widmer had no way through! Georgi took a nasty knock to the ankle which kept him out of the rest of the game.
5 minutes before the end Wendover finished the game off perfectly Ed played another one of his speciality passes (one of half a dozen in the game) straight into the path of Josh who found Alex who calmly finished with a simple shot in off the inside of the post. The best thing about the goal was watching Nick leap like a gazelle!! I dont know whether it was because his beloved Alex had scored or that Wendover were in the FINAL!!!!!!!
WELL DONE BOYS (oh and thanks to Gummy Bear)
Downley Dynamos 1 Wendover 2 (CUP SEMI FINAL)
On paper this could have been mistaken for an easy fixture against a 2nd division side who have not had the best run of form recently. How wrong can you be! Downley worked hard from the first minute and battled for every ball making it extremely difficult for Wendover to settle into their game. In the first few minutes Downley could have taken the lead only to see their close range effort go over the bar. On a slope of a pitch and with a strong wind pushing down the hill Wendover missed opportunities to go ahead with Max hitting the bar on 15 minutes, Josh having a great strike just go over the bar and again Josh having his shot cleared off the line. Adam had a rare strike from 20 yards only to see the ball that was flying into the top corner come of the head of Ben W. Just after the 25 minute mark of the first half some persistance from Ed and Ben W paid off. A free kick inbetween the half way line and the edge of the box. Ed lined up the free kick and with the eye of Ronaldo buried the ball in the back of the net to make it 0-1 just before half time. Ed's free kick was similar to Ronaldos against Portsmouth!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8vVOz9XAU0
The second half continued with a real battle through the midfield and Downley again working really hard to try and get something from the game. Alex C worked extremely hard on the right hand side after coming back on as a sub. Initially Alex lost the ball only to be back in amongst the players tackling hard to win the ball back and play an inch perfect pass into the feet of Josh who 1 on 1 with the keeper there can be only one outcome - 0 -2 Wendover.
The last few minutes became a nervy affair with Downley pulling a goal back just before the end meaning the pressure was on. Number 18 for Downley was their strongest player and luckily Luke (Man of the Match) and Brandon did just enough to keep him at bay.
WELL DONE BOYS - THE FINAL HERE WE COME!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8vVOz9XAU0
The second half continued with a real battle through the midfield and Downley again working really hard to try and get something from the game. Alex C worked extremely hard on the right hand side after coming back on as a sub. Initially Alex lost the ball only to be back in amongst the players tackling hard to win the ball back and play an inch perfect pass into the feet of Josh who 1 on 1 with the keeper there can be only one outcome - 0 -2 Wendover.
The last few minutes became a nervy affair with Downley pulling a goal back just before the end meaning the pressure was on. Number 18 for Downley was their strongest player and luckily Luke (Man of the Match) and Brandon did just enough to keep him at bay.
WELL DONE BOYS - THE FINAL HERE WE COME!
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
Wendover Juniors 5 Prestwood Colts 4
My heart has just started beating again after such a nail biter!! This is why we watch football!!
The new concept of leaving the dressing room to music seemed to have had an impact. The man of the match at the last home game chooses a song to run out to. Adam was man of the match and chose AC DC Rock 'n' Roll Train!!
After numerous attacks on goal after the first few minutes the belief was there but as soon as we started to believe the hammer blow came. Prestwood take the lead with their first attack of the game - typical!!! This is a side that certainly know how to finish and true to form went two up. All this time we were playing well and it was really hard to believe we were losing.
Just before half time Josh was away, on his run towards the right side of the goal his heels were clipped and realising John was the ref and that we had no chance of getting a penalty he stayed on his feet to drive the ball home and take us into the break with a chance. 1-2 down!
The second half started brightly but within 1 minute of the start it was back to the same old Prestwood who had their first attack on goal and scored making it 1-3. The boys heads went down but due to a great turn out from the parents, loads of encouragement, the AC DC song ringing in their ears, the belief on their faces and the desire to get into the next round the game turned a corner. Almost direct from the kick off Ben W used his strength and skill, twisting and turning before drilling the ball bast the keeper. (2-3).
Ben W's goal really did turn the match and not long after this Ed (man of the match) ran in with the ball from the left hand side and blasted it past the keeper making it 3-3 and now a completely different game. We just needed to get our noses in front. WJFC kept pushing forward trying to get a result from the game. Ben W took a throw from just inside their half which Dan controlled beautifully before looking up and like Waynes Rooneys goal vs Newcastle gave the keeper absolutely no chance (click on the link to see a carbon copy of Dans Goal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6wO3HhOu6Y).
Going 4-3 up made the game more and more tense we now had to either push on or sustain untold amounts of pressure! Luckily we pushed on Alex delivered the pass of the game to Josh who shot so hard that the keeper could only push the ball out to Ben S who was there to tap home and make it 5-3!!!!
At this point we were still creating chances and only the Prestwood keeper stopped us increasing the score, Ed went extremely close with the keeper pushing the ball wide with his finger tips. Ed again scored but only to see a very dubious linesmans flag go up!!!
Prestwood pulled one back to make it 5-4!!! HOW TENSE CAN YOU GET!!!
Now we had 8 minutes to hold on and hold on we did. Jack made some unbelievable saves including one in the last second of the game to ensure that we reach our second cup semi-final of the season!!!! The defence did such an outstanding job Luke got his first ever assist and headed the ball out of defence beautifully to keep the pressure back on the away side. Brandon did a heroic job on the Prestwood Number 9 who was their key striker ensuring that he was closed out of any attacks. Georgi worked so hard, being rewarded with an assist and really putting the effort in in Midfield and Adam and Rory did a super job in controlling the right back position. Rory looked good up front too!! Jake was a great captain and did a cracking job of getting the guys going!!
This was a game not for the faint hearted and would have been the opening game on Match of the Day if it was filmed!!!
WELL DONE BOYS - SEMI FINAL HERE WE COME!!
Ed chooses the song for the next home game and lets hope it brings us the same luck as ACDC!
The new concept of leaving the dressing room to music seemed to have had an impact. The man of the match at the last home game chooses a song to run out to. Adam was man of the match and chose AC DC Rock 'n' Roll Train!!
After numerous attacks on goal after the first few minutes the belief was there but as soon as we started to believe the hammer blow came. Prestwood take the lead with their first attack of the game - typical!!! This is a side that certainly know how to finish and true to form went two up. All this time we were playing well and it was really hard to believe we were losing.
Just before half time Josh was away, on his run towards the right side of the goal his heels were clipped and realising John was the ref and that we had no chance of getting a penalty he stayed on his feet to drive the ball home and take us into the break with a chance. 1-2 down!
The second half started brightly but within 1 minute of the start it was back to the same old Prestwood who had their first attack on goal and scored making it 1-3. The boys heads went down but due to a great turn out from the parents, loads of encouragement, the AC DC song ringing in their ears, the belief on their faces and the desire to get into the next round the game turned a corner. Almost direct from the kick off Ben W used his strength and skill, twisting and turning before drilling the ball bast the keeper. (2-3).
Ben W's goal really did turn the match and not long after this Ed (man of the match) ran in with the ball from the left hand side and blasted it past the keeper making it 3-3 and now a completely different game. We just needed to get our noses in front. WJFC kept pushing forward trying to get a result from the game. Ben W took a throw from just inside their half which Dan controlled beautifully before looking up and like Waynes Rooneys goal vs Newcastle gave the keeper absolutely no chance (click on the link to see a carbon copy of Dans Goal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6wO3HhOu6Y).
Going 4-3 up made the game more and more tense we now had to either push on or sustain untold amounts of pressure! Luckily we pushed on Alex delivered the pass of the game to Josh who shot so hard that the keeper could only push the ball out to Ben S who was there to tap home and make it 5-3!!!!
At this point we were still creating chances and only the Prestwood keeper stopped us increasing the score, Ed went extremely close with the keeper pushing the ball wide with his finger tips. Ed again scored but only to see a very dubious linesmans flag go up!!!
Prestwood pulled one back to make it 5-4!!! HOW TENSE CAN YOU GET!!!
Now we had 8 minutes to hold on and hold on we did. Jack made some unbelievable saves including one in the last second of the game to ensure that we reach our second cup semi-final of the season!!!! The defence did such an outstanding job Luke got his first ever assist and headed the ball out of defence beautifully to keep the pressure back on the away side. Brandon did a heroic job on the Prestwood Number 9 who was their key striker ensuring that he was closed out of any attacks. Georgi worked so hard, being rewarded with an assist and really putting the effort in in Midfield and Adam and Rory did a super job in controlling the right back position. Rory looked good up front too!! Jake was a great captain and did a cracking job of getting the guys going!!
This was a game not for the faint hearted and would have been the opening game on Match of the Day if it was filmed!!!
WELL DONE BOYS - SEMI FINAL HERE WE COME!!
Ed chooses the song for the next home game and lets hope it brings us the same luck as ACDC!
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