The club signing on fees are now overdue.

The fee is now £40 – those players that have not paid by the end of November will be suspended, team managers please inform the few players that this applies to.   

Games played Saturday 8 November 2008

1st XI

Saturday’s game saw the 1sts take on a Sinjun Grammarians, a team that are currently residing high in the senior 1. Although we are yet to play the teams around us at the bottom we still need to gain some points against the better teams. The game was not going to be attractive as we needed to start digging in and start dominating games. Wadham had received a barrage of rain over the last week and although it may have looked ok, it was only a matter of time before the pitch would cut up and reduce the chances of either side of playing some decent football. On top of that the referee for the game was being assessed so we expected everything done by the book and common sense would go out of the window!

We started the game brightly, it was good to see Lee Hemmings back in the heart of the defence and we looked fairly solid, we looked comfortable on the ball and unlikely to concede. On the other hand our finishing lately has been woeful and we needed to take any chances that come our way. It was a tight first 20 minutes but the away team took the lead from a free kick, a stupid foul to give away which led to one of many bookings of the day. Their most dangerous player curled the ball in to the top corner. This was not felt deserved and we knew that this game was no way over. The pitch was cutting up and the tackles were flying in from both teams and yellow cards were getting picked up left right and centre. It was good to see Jason Waldron back with a few of his crunching tackles! The rest of the first half was fairly even, we had a few chances but with with no final product. The away team scored a second when we lost concentration and the Sinjuns number 8 sneaked in behind the defence to tap in his second of the game. HT 0-2.

Going into the second half we knew that the game was not lost, Sinjuns were not one of the better teams they had played and on paper we were the better side. Lee Hemming changed formation second half to

4-4-2, thus giving more support to Edward Brotherton up front. This seemed to work as we had most of the possession throughout the half. That said, the away team grabbed their 3rd shortly after the break, the goal looked offside but it stood and we now knew we had a mountain to climb. The rest of the half was all us, and we were desperately pushing forward to try and get a goal. The best chance of the game fell to Edward Brotherton. A Tom Mccombie free kick, pinpointed Edward in the box but his finish let him down and it was a let off for the away team. This was not going to be our day and late in the second half Sinjuns grabbed a fourth from a breakaway and their striker saw Jason Agar off his line and was lobbed from about 40 yards out. A well taken goal but the score line flattered the away team. Overall it was disappointing to lose again but the team spirit is still alive and we are yet to play the teams that are around us at the bottom. It did not help Mike Mesmin not turning up and also Tim, who played excellent last week sloping off with the Thirds for some unknown reason, when he was due to start for us!

Final score 0-4.

Team

Jason Agar Capt), Ross Hyde, Tom Beck, Lee Hemmings, Tom McCombie, Tom George, Gary Foster, Luke Hemmings, Jimmy McCann, Jason Waldron, Edward Brotherton. Subs Olly Monksfield, Myles P Leslie.

2nd XI

Another cup game for the 2nds our last cup competition. It was a home game against Southgate. With heavy rain before the game it made conditions difficult. However despite the fast surface we started the game well taking control of the midfield and creating lots of chances Daniel Stock testing the keeper as well as Alex and Nick Jennings both coming close forcing a good double save from the keeper. Nick also hit the bar from a long distance shot. We had created lots but failed to score and from being on the attack one minute we was caught out at the back the next allowing the Southgate striker a run at goal who finished well HT 0.1

We knew we was the better team and was desperate to put things right. So we continued the second half the same way creating lots of chances only this time we scored. Sammy set up Nick Jennings in the box who slotted the equaliser in the corner a well taken goal. This was our chance to press on and kill the game off. Sam Hargreaves hit the bar again he was so close to scoring, and moments later he made no mistake deflecting a cross past the keeper the ball hit the post and went in only problem for Sam was that it was at the wrong end We were behind again so we made some changes bringing on Nigel and Theo. The game at times was quite heated and with the wet conditions it was dangerous as well. Southgate got a man sent off for dangerous play. We had about 15 minutes to find an equaliser against the 10 men

but we couldn't find the net. The best chance fell to Nigel who wrapped his foot round the ball from

six yards out only to smash it against his own hand. I have no idea how I done it sometimes I amaze even myself! Final score 1-2

Team

 Alan Husher, Lee Shoesmith, Will Cross, Danny Brown, Adam Fitzgibbon, Halil Hassan, Sam Hargreaves, Nick Jennings, Sameer Butt, Alex Jennings, Daniel Stock, Subs Nigel Fowler, Theo Theoduulou, Nick Zenouos

3rd XI

The 3rds had a trip to Fairlop for an away match against Leyton County Old Boys 2nds as they continued to search for their first league points of the season. As ever this season a task made more difficult with yet another host of changes from the team that progressed to the last 16 of the Old Boys Junior Cup last week. In fact 6 changes due to injuries, work commitments and call ups…still another opportunity for squad players to stake their claims and we just had to get on with it.

And we certainly did. Playing a 4-5-1 formation we started brightly and totally controlled the middle of the park and the defence looking comfortable against the few attacks Leyton threw at them. Tim was also working hard in the lone striker role. A free kick from the left hand side was floated into the Leyton box, two players challenged for the ball ensuring the weak punch form ‘keeper fell to Curtis Dring to smash into the net through a crowd of player from 8 yards 1-0. Other opportunities were created and a couple of good saves from the county ‘keeper kept the score at 1-0 as half time approached. To be fair Leyton were starting to see more of the ball but hadn’t really threatened when an opportunist strike form the corner of the box took a wicked deflection off Danny and looped over Ian to make it 1-1. The luck is just not with us at the moment!

Some positive words at half time as the manager said it was the best 45mins so far this season and the game was there for the taking. However once again it was not to be. Leyton upped their game in the second half making it a much more even affair. A fine save at the near post form our ‘keeper was followed 5 minutes later by a great strike from 30 yards form Leytons midfield. We decided to throw caution to the wind and switch to a more attacking formation. It failed to have the desired result as Leyton added two further goals. One a thumping header for Scott Owen who to be fair was being challenging by the Leyton set piece specialist when trying to clear the cross and finally another deflected shot making it 4-1…with Hale End scoring 4 but 3 at the wrong end.

I felt this was a spirited performance and though I am tiring of saying it we are playing a lot better than last year this is a strange league for Junior 2…but no sulking or allowing our heads to drop…just pick ourselves up and onto the next game at Wadham against Mill Hill 2nds….could it finally be our week?

Team

Ian Aldried , Sam Parr, Sean Windeatt (Capt), Danny Lock, Luke Francis, Jack O’Reilly , Curtis Dring, Scott Owen, Dave Jackson, Tim Akinsamni, Andy Carter, Subs John Argue

4th XI 

The 4ths were hammered by a physical Edmontonians team who played some good stuff. We started with a 4-4-2 formation but were quickly over-run in midfield and were lucky to be only 2-0 down after half an hour. A long cross from the right wing saw the Edmontonians players queuing up at the far post to head it in on about three occasions - fortunately they only took one of them. I can't remember the second goal.
Against the run of play we then took advantage of a mistake at the back when their right back played the ball straight at Stuart Lock. It hit him in the chest, bounced ten yards forward, and sat up well for him to drill it into the top left hand corner from the edge of the box.
2-1 at half time would have been good - and lucky - but another silly mistake saw us concede when we were attacking. A superb 50 yard ball from one of our players to their centre forward saw some good link play lead to a 3-1 lead.
The 'big ginger guy' in midfield had been running the first half, and despite a couple of meaty challenges, he continued to for most of the game. At the start of the second half, despite two substitutions, Edmontionians had three clear chances in the first few minutes. They then scored from a deflection, and the game was over as a contest. When they went 7-1 up with 15 minutes left it could easily have been 12, and though we scored a nice goal when Adam Mead laid the ball off the Dave Rai to cross for Marcus Pitcher to control well and finish - in truth we were played off the park. We also displayed a lack of willingness to work hard or fight to make it better - our heads went down too early. Final score 2-7.
A disappointing result was compounded by our attitude after the final whistle. Only 4 players went to their clubhouse for hospitality, despite this being a requirement of AFC football. We only ask that players stay, as a team, for half an hour and one drink - whether we win or lose, and players must realise that they are representing our club. We want to win, and there are few expectations on our players - so it's not much to ask that we meet them (kit wash, organising the game, paying the ref, sorting out the opposition, getting balls, waterbottles, medical kit, and so on to the game, doing the league admin and collecting in subs is all done by others for you).
Man of the Match: Adam Mead probably had the best game out of us, but that's not saying much.

Team

Paul Walters, Jon Ward (sub Billy Parr), Marcus Pitcher, Laurence Snape, Kevin Whitworth, Stuart Lock (sub: Daniel De Luca), Nilesh Patel, Dave Rai, Martin Sullivan, Adam Mead, Grant Dye (sub Antonio Catalano)

U17 XI

The U17 had a cup match against Globe Rangers from the Premier division. Both teams started well, under difficult conditions and play was fast and furious from end to end. They took the lead after 20minutes, a ball over the top of our defence, which held up in the wind, which was seized upon by a very quick forward who neatly placed the ball over the head of our keeper. We gradually took control of the game and moved Ollie up front with Ennis and played four across the middle. This created two quick forwards to aim at. We evened the score just before half time. Aaron, who had taken the full back apart from the start, went down the line put in a great cross for Ennis to slide home. We had a penalty saved earlier from a foul on Aaron.

The second half started well, within five minutes, Ollie received a good through ball from Laurence, rounded the keeper and slotted the ball in to the net. Two further goals from Ennis, one well worked on his own and another through a series of passes put the game out of reach. They pulled one back with minutes to go, a shot from outside the area which gave James no chance.

This was the best performance of the season, we worked throughout the game, never allowing them to settle. We won every tackle and header and kept hold of the ball creating many chances. A special mention to the following, Michael Castle, who won everything in the centre of midfield and Joe Butler, who at left back had a fantastic game. Josh Collins at centre half won a high percentage of headers and never let their forwards settle. This was a magnificent performance by the whole squad. Result 4 – 2.

Team

J Harrington, D Hall, M Hayes, J Collins, J Butler, O Morgan-Russell R Patel, M Castle, L Williams, A Watson-McNab, E Ahmet, M Turner, R Skinner, A Grimes.

Fixtures Saturday 15 November 2008

Senior 1

1sts no game due to AFA representative commitments.

Intermediate North

2nds  v  Enfield Old Grammarians      Wadham                                  KO 2pm

Referee Luis Marcelo 

2 North

3rds  v  Mill Hill County O B               Wadham                                  KO 2.15pm

Referee Ashley Hickson-Lovence

4 North

4ths  v  Royal British Legion Loughton           Away                                       KO 2.15pm

Referee Jon Ellison

Ground – Willingale Playing Fields Willingale Road Debden Loughton Essex IG10 3SDD

Hospitality – Royal British Legion Club 118 Church Hill Loughton Essex IG10 2DY               

Fixture Sunday 16 November 2008

Cheshunt Sunday U17 Division 1 League

U17  v  Lea Valley                              Home                                       KO 2pm?

Met Police Club High Road Chigwell Essex