Saturday 21st January 2012 will live long in the memory as the day football fully revived this mans Love of the great game! This one had everything two with well matched sides who, unlike last weeks opponents, were only interested in playing football with drive passion and no little skill.  It was a great game and despite playing for over an hour with only ten men, we more than matched high flying Wickham Park, and deservedly took the honours after extra time and the penalty shootout. Every man of Richards team did him proud today, but none more so than the manager himself who was tactically brilliant. Bobby McGuane was sent off early in the second half after an altercation with the linesman. To his immense credit, Richard decided to take off a defender and play an extra attacker, when it would have made more sense to try and stifle them and go for the win via a breakaway. It worked beautifully, as although we soon after went one down, we got stronger and stronger, equalised and went in search of the winner.
Our team today had Martin 'Nice Shoes' Ray in goal, who turned in a fine keeping display, showing much improved positional sense, handling, superb kicking and distribution. This was capped by easily winning the penalty shootout by saving two and getting his hands to a third. At the back Lucas Worrell and Billy Alton came in for long overdue starts. They were both magnificent and along with the juggernaut that is Ricky Bolt, were all in the running for the man of the match award. We were without two massive players today in Jack Docherty and Tom Smith, but the team coped admirably (great squad Rich!). Our midfield of Tom Rolt, Lee Wilton, Bobby McGuane and Jason Kelly simply overran and outclassed their opponents. Joe 'Chicken Little' Crook and Robb 'Ben Mitchell' Grogan ran themselves into the ground giving Wickhams overworked defence little rest, before being replaced late on by Brett Northover and Jack Shepherd - which made no difference to our fantastic work rate. Troy Williams came on and, as usual, scored his customary thunderbolt goal, there's no stopping this fella. There was no shortage of volunteers for the shootout with Jason, Jack, Ricky, Troy and Topps converting theirs for a great win. The unanimous vote for best player today went once again to skipper Jack Roberts (left), who is without a single doubt the best and most complete player I have seen in this league. Every time this fella receives the ball he uses it to his team mates advantage, whether heading, passing or making a massive clearance, he strikes the ball so cleanly and like all good players he gives himself time on the ball and is never caught in possession. I know enough about this game to say this man should be earning money by playing it. (Not really Jack,you're hopeless!) Final Score Wickham Park 1 - 1 (AET) Long Lane Long Lane wins 5-4 on penalties. |
The Boys U14's manager is currently looking for a Goalkeeper to join the squad. 