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Second XI
Winchmore Hill 1 West Wickham 0
SAL
Intermediate Section Division One
Saturday 6 March
It was the weekend of the 82nd Academy Awards, Hollywood was awash
with celebrity. I've always loved the razzamatazz of America, in
fact this summer I'm looking forward to spending a couple of weeks
watching the FIFA world championship soccer over there with Denchy,
who last week played his last game this season for the Hill. Denchy
is off on his travels, he has promised that he going to drag himself
away from his eco-fairtrade nuclear free lentil munching peace
holiday in Belize to come and spend a few days amongst the
capitalists (if only to remind himself of spurious morals that
prompted his leftist quest).
I'm particularly looking forward to gloating at the yanks in their
own back yard after we trounce them on the 12th June, after that I
shall also remind them that their country is an uncivilised mess of
processed cheese and licence plate evangelism - I secretly love it
though, the same way Thorpey overtly loves St Tropez (the fake tan,
not the place.
I read an article this week about the aforementioned world cup, it
made an interesting and convincing case for Brazil, outlining how
their tactics and work rate will wear down all comers bagging them
the trophy once again. Tactics and work rate were precisely how the
Hill won on Saturday afternoon.
Changes were enforced following last weeks epic semi final victory.
Dench (as above), Thorpey (uncomfortable regrowth of chest hair -
Denchy do you know the Latin for that?) Tony (old age), Ingram
(threat to Jack's starting place) and Joe (for having the ability to
verbally communicate clearly in English, which is not encouraged in
the 2s) were the absentee's. Returning were Griff (he lets his
gloves do the talking), Bennis, Rochey (fresh from his holiday in
Geneva visiting the large hadron collider... young minds), Gylo
(reference Lazarus: the Gospel of John) and Chris Chapman (on the
mend).
Line up as follows: Griff GK. Beech RB. Steve CB. Cooky CB. Gee LB.
Bennis RM. Hallet CM. Danny Fitz CM. An-Rui LM. Hornsby CF. Newton
(c) CF.
Following such a dramatic victory the previous weekend, the major
pre-game concern was complacency. As the game kicked off at a sun
drenched Paulin this concern proved a reality as West Wickham looked
the sharper, winning ball in the middle and asking questions of the
2s defence. Their right wing looked particularly lively, crosses and
cut backs were driven into 18 yard box, Griff was able to claim a
few bravely and when faced with any uncertainty Steve and Cooky
cleared without compromise. Gee and An-Rui began to sort the Wickham
right winger out between them, but the Hill were squandering
possession too easily, running into the congested midfield
and refusing the easy pass. The Wickham number 8, lying deep in
centre midfield was providing them with a good platform to build
from, and Danny Fitz fresh from watching the movie of his previous
weeks performance wasn't bossing proceedings as he normally does.
The 2s first real chance came from a flick on from the head of
Newton, An-Rui burst through outstripping the Wickham defence only
to be thwarted by the on-rushing keeper, but this was against the
run of play in a half that was scrappy and lacked quality.
Half-time 0:0. Discussions at half time focussed on the ball
retention, the extra pass and using the wingers. What also became
apparent is the similarity in Frank's voice to east end gangster
Brick top from the film snatch: "Their number 8 is an aggressive
little ���£*%$!~#;;;",
"Punish him for me, and when your finished there find me the silly
sods who blagged the bookies, find them today". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDKiQfBs9lo
The Hill began the second half more solidly. Shape and communication
had improved and Fitz and Hallet began to exert authority in the
middle. Again the backline looked secure with Beech and Gee
beginning to combine with Bennis and An-Rui, respectively, going
forward. It was from the right side that the critical moment was
crafted, management's half time instructions were adhered to...
Bennis showed the Wickham left back a clean pair of heels and his
cross bisected the keeper and defence, the
on-rushing Newton clinically dispatched the ball into the gaping
net... "Heeeey yoooouuuu guys!!"
Wickham were far from finished though and they began to pile
pressure on down their right, but working in packs the Hill's
defensive lines proved difficult to breakdown. Hill were placed
under more pressure when Griff had to delegate kicking duties to Gee
meaning the back line moved deeper and for a time the 2s were camped
in their own final third. Newton and Hornsby worked hard up top to
try to hold onto precious possession.
Griff's knee finally gave way and Gee jumped at the chance to
extend his 100% record with the gloves (this is one of the stories
he insists on sharing with us on away journey's, other favourites
are the spaghetti Bolognese at Westminster Citizens and the fact he
has never seen Newts with hair in all these years).
Newts then got his ''playbook" out... Roche having replaced the
tireless Hornsby moved to right back, Beechy moved up front for 30
seconds only to be relegated to centre mid following the
introduction of Gylo (promising cameo by the way), Hallet moved to
centre half alongside his twin Cooky (are you following...) and the
excellent Steve switched to left back. Despite all the changes the
young(ish) 2s side showed superb concentration and resolve to defend
stoutly, not just the back four but also through central midfield
picking up pieces on the edge of the box.
With just one minute left on the clock though, the concentration
levels waivered, Wickham managed to get the ball across the box and
their number 9 had the goal at his mercy.... but too his (and
everyone else's) shock Bennis appeared from nowhere, the surprise
evidently was enough to put him off as he fluffed his lines and the
Hill's spring-heeled winger was able to nick the ball off him for
Roche to clear to safety.
Full-time 1:0. A very satisfying result.
Post game I looked around the changing room and reflected on my team
mates. We'd done one another proud.
And as Robert Downey Junior said of the relationship between writers
and actors when presenting the award for best screenplay at this
years Oscars, "It's a collaboration. A collaboration between
handsome, gifted people and sickly little mole people."
Winchmore Hill 3 Mayfield Athletic 1
AFA
Middlesex & Essex Intermediate Cup
Saturday 27 February
Two
for the price of one!
A
place in a rare final was in store for the 2s if they could overcome
Mayfield Athletic in a semi on the top pitch at the Paulin. The game
was thankfully switched from Firs Farm at the last minute after some
last minute negotiations from Newton; this coming just days after he
was able to rescue the Goonies from hands of the hands of the
merciless Fratelli crime family was a second good omen for the 2s
skip in less than a week - could his off the field performances be
transferred to where it really mattered?
After a half an hour delay to the kick off the game finally got
under way with the Hill lining up 4-4-2 against a fairly young
Mayfield team who seemed to be operating in some kind of 4-5-1
formation. The extra man in midfield gave the Hill problems early on
with Mayfield having the lion’s share of good possession and
creating the better of the early chances. It was therefore not a
huge surprise to see the away side take the lead about 20 minutes
in, although there were some serious questions as to the legitimacy
of the goal after the spritely linesman seemed to miss a clear
offside.
Hill restarted with a bit more purpose about them only to be struck
another blow when centre back Thorpe went off with a St Tropez (the
fake tan not the place) induced injury to the Soleus (for the
philistines in the club this is another word for the calf muscle -
apparently). Luckily for the Hill there was a centre half on the
bench in the form of the ever aggressive Jonny Hallet, who slotted
in along side the upright Cook in the back line.
As the half progressed the Hill were starting to better cope with
the Mayfield midfield and beginning to create chances of their own.
The first one of these fell to Newton who put a near post cross a
couple of yards wide. However, Hill were not done and continued to
create, with the equalizer finally coming around the 35th minute as
a left wing cross was met by Newton's sizable head and flew past the
keeper into the top left hand corner - "Heeeyyy yooouuu guys!!!" he
screamed wildly as he ran off in celebration. Game on.
The second half got under way as a much more combative affair with
the Hill far more competitive in midfield and the lively presence of
Hornsby up top (on for Kokkinos who went down with a twisted knee,
which was so bad it was not made better by the careful addition of
water) a constant thorn in the side of the Mayfield back line.
However, the visitors remained a threat and could well have been
ahead were it not for some poor finishing on their side and some
good defending on ours. The game continued to flow back and forth
until the final 10 minutes when the Hill really started to pile on
the pressure and would have been finished in the 90 but for an
absolute worldly save from the Mayfield keeper.
With the score tied at 1-1 after 90 minutes the game headed for
extra time. The first period was fairly uneventful with both sides
trying to dig in and hold firm on a pitch that was really starting
to cut up. The second period started slightly more brightly for the
home side that began to look like creating chances. Our chance
finally came with 6 minutes left as, under direct contravention of
full time instructions, we put together a great flowing move
involving Hornsby, Ingram and Beech, with the latter scythed down in
the box just as he was about put a left foot shot in to touch. The
ref had no option but to give a penalty and send off the Mayfield
fullback. Danny Fitzpatrick stepped up to slot home the penalty and
put Hill within minutes of a final appearance.
With Mayfield now down to 10 and desperately on the attack this left
the back door open for Hill to counter. About two minutes after
taking the lead one such counter attack saw Hill get a free kick on
the edge of the box following a foul on Hornsby. Up stepped
Fitzpatrick who curled in a superb free kick over the wall and past
the stationary Mayfield keeper.
After an inauspicious start to the season the 2s now have a cup
final in the bag and the potential to get something from a season
which at one point looked fairly bleak. We have also shown we can
beat the best teams in our league and were it not for one off-day
would have been much further in the AFA cup. However, it is
important to remember that so far we've won nothing, so after
digging ourselves out for the past three months we want to make sure
we're on the winning side on the 27th and can sit at the club dinner
with something to shout about come May. Good luck lads it's been a
pleasure.
Number
Two
On a
wet and wild day at the Paulin the Numbers came from behind to win
an excellent game of football on a difficult pitch in extra time.
Goals from Captain Jack and 2 for Danny Fitz cancelled out a Will
Dench own goal meaning the Numbers march on to a Walthamstow date at
the end of the month.
There was plenty of time to remove the surface water off the pitch
as the Assistant Referees were late and this resulted in the Numbers
warming up for a full hour before kick off. This time was spent
wisely as Captain Jack recruited last season’s Golden Boot winner to
warm the bench whilst also quadrupling the average age of the
substitutes. The rest of the team lined up with Jo in goal, Steve,
Cookie, a very tanned Thorpey and Gee at the back. The midfield
contained Beechy, Will and Danny in the middle with Tony K on the
left leaving Captain Jack and An-Rui up top.
The game eventually kicked off just after 2 and it was Mayfield who
were on top for the first 20 minutes. There had been a couple of
warnings when in the 20th minute the speedy right winger
got in down the middle, forced Joe into an excellent save only for
the Welsh Wizard Dench to spectacularly overhead kick the ball into
his own goal. If you get a bloopers DVD for Christmas this year this
goal will be on it. Taxi for Dench!! There was a further problem for
Hill as the shaven Thorpey was forced to limp off to be replaced by
John.
1-0 could have become 2-0 as Mayfield pushed forward and Joe made
another excellent save. You can tell this boy has been playing at a
higher level of football. He was Supa!! This led to a recovery from
the Hill as slowly they started to get a grip on the game and push
forward and they could have equalised when a smart free kick from
Danny Fitz was met first time by Captain Jack only for the ball to
go inches wide. Mayfield didn’t heed this warning and the same
combination combined again and this time the skipper rose like a
salmon to head home.
1-1 was the half-time score and after a slow start Hill had fought
hard to get into the game and Captain Jack was in no mood to give it
up. “10 minutes” he screamed “10 minutes, they will have 10 minutes”
and Frank agreed. Dench and Beech looked at each other and Dench was
heard to say “Isn’t there 45 left?” So with half the team looking
puzzled and Beechy trying to explain it to Dench the team went back
on the field with a slight wind behind them and Nick Hornsby
replacing the injured Tony K.
In the second half Hill were the better team and although Mayfield
looked dangerous on the break Hill started to get on top. Danny Fitz
and Dench made a million tackles and the back 4 were now starting to
impose themselves on the game. The front 3 were looking dangerous
and Beechy was playing too. The highlight of the first 20 minutes of
the second half however was provided by the 4th team
keeper who when trying to control the ball did a somersault , landed
on his back in the mud but somehow failing to spill a drop of beer.
Great work Tom.
With 20 minutes to go Captain Jack bowed to the inevitable and
brought himself off replacing himself with Ingram. Hill had several
chances to win the game as John or Cookie, Dench and Danny all had
chances but the keeper seemed to be saving everything without really
having the most orthodox style. One save in particular was Gordon
Banks-esque.
This resulted in extra time and after another rousing team talk from
Captain Jack Hill were ready. Ingram, promoted to Captain after 15
minutes chose correctly and Hill kicked into the breeze first. The
first half was pretty uneventful and so as the teams changed round
the score was still 1-1. With just 10 minutes separating Hill from a
dreaded penalty shoot out the Numbers upped the pace and were
rewarded almost immediately. The best move of the match involving
An-Rui, Ingram and Hornsby led to Ingram sliding the ball through
for Beechy who cut across the defender before being scythed down in
the penalty area winding poor little Scott in the process. Danny
stepped up to coolly slot home and the left back was sent off for
his disgraceful foul.
2-1 quickly became 3-1 as after more good work from Hornsby led to a
free kick and Danny curled the ball delightfully home from fully 30
yards. There was still time for Beech to realise a lifetime ambition
by playing the last 3 minutes up front with his hero Ingram. The
referee blew his whistle and the 2’s were in the final.
Such a good performance in a big game on a difficult pitch meant
that Welsh Will’s leaving party promised to be good fun. There was
talk in the changing room later along the lines of St. Tropez
doesn’t really work, I shaved my chest and the hair has grown back
stubblier and do you think this hat looks gay? Well Thorpey, if you
need advice on fake tan ask Quinny in the 4’s, of course your hair
will grow back stubblier and yes your hat does look gay. Welsh
Will’s was great fun though!!
Come on the 2’s!!
Old Vaughanians 1 Winchmore Hill 2
AFA Middlesex & Essex Intermediate Cup
Quarter Final
Saturday 6 February
HILL SET UP SEMI-FINAL AGAINST MAYFIELD ATHLETIC
Having
already made the long journey to Kempton Park and Old Vaughanians
this season, the Hill felt they knew what to expect and were
confident of progressing to the semi-final of the AFA Middlesex Cup.
However, apart from the limp sandwiches, there were a few surprises
− the pitch was different (worse), eight of the opposition had
changed (better, stronger and more cynical) and the ref’s attitude
‘relaxed’.
Again the Hill saw changes. Back to the squad came Hallett, Beech
and Cooke. Out went party man Steve (at a big 80th
birthday all-dayer) and Roche (who’s dazzling performances were
rewarded with a game on pitch 12 Firs Farm for the Amazin 3s), while
Hornsby was in the US bigging up his SAL goals per minute ratio in a
bid to secure an MLS contract.
Vaughanians started strongly but were restricted to long-range
efforts. A bouncy pitch and robust opposition made it hard for the
Hill to string passes together and get the ball wide. There was some
success on the right as Vaughanians’ left-mid seemed hampered by
still wearing his Eastern European decorator’s tracksuit bottoms.
Overall a scrappy first half saw few clear chances.
The second half was more open. Vaughanians’ dangerous young forward
hit the outside of the post from 20 yards. Then Vaughanians
midfielder hit a volley from the edge of the area with a bit of
slice that flew into and out of the goal via the stantion. Griffith
disappointingly didn’t play on Roy Carroll style and the goal stood.
With so few chances at either end, the home side were confident but
Hill started making inroads behind their full-backs, drawing their
centre-backs out of position but as too often recently there were
not enough numbers in the box attacking the cross. Then for the
second week running the equalizer came through Dench, who had spent
most of the warm-up proving that last week’s screamer was a fluke.
This time he latched onto Haslam’s square pass on the edge of the
area and stretching drilled the ball into the bottom corner.
After 85 minutes and with extra time looming, super-sub Chapman
nicked the ball past the veteran defender on the right wing, swiftly
followed by the inevitable studs on ankle. From the resultant free
kick the ball bobbled back towards the six-yard box where Chiew with
his back to goal instinctively flicked the ball past the flat-footed
keeper. With Chapmen off, the Hill’s 10 men held on despite a couple
of scares. Overall a battling performance especially from the back
five (Griffith recovering well from the ignominy of having his
baseball cap flicked off his head in one handbag session) that bodes
well for the run-in.
This time the Hill decided against visiting The Jubilee opposite the
racetrack despite the lure of a ‘performance’ from a former
Soccerette. Instead they favoured the England-Wales rugby – who
Newton and Griffith were supporting and why is still to be
established. Back to the league next week and a chance to extend the
unbeaten run.
Old Owens 1 Winchmore Hill 1
Southern Amateur League
Intermediate Section Division One
Saturday 30 January
After losing to Owens at home earlier in the season, The Hill were
out for revenge and looking to build upon a terrific team
performance last weekend against Actonians.
Prior to the game the gaffer received news that two of his more
experienced players in the side had decided to take a ‘pit stop’ on
Green Lanes consequently delaying the start time and Hill’s
preparations.
Squad rotation was again in operation with the experienced Neil
Thorpe returning from injury hoping for a cameo appearance, instead
he found himself partnered with Steve at centre back in the newest
defensive combination. Rumour has it Steve has now found a friend at
university; however this can only be speculated as no proven
evidence has been found to confirm his or her existence.
On a bitterly cold afternoon the message before the game was to
press the opposition and get the ball wide as quickly as possible to
isolate Owens sluggish full backs. With neither side being allowed
any time on the ball, the game was fragmented and lacked any real
clear cut chances. The main threats were coming from the wings with
excellent link up play between the two wide men and full backs;
however crosses into the box lacked any genuine quality and were
easily dealt with by the Owens defence. With neither keeper really
having to stretch their limbs in the opening forty-five minutes the
referee brought the half to an end.
Owens started the second half brightly and begun to make inroads
into a lethargic looking Hill defence who were being pushed further
and further towards their own penalty box. Both sides became more
composed on the ball and were playing the ball around with more
conviction; however it was Old Owens who looked more and more
dangerous on the attack as the game became stretched. Owens were
then rewarded for their persistent pressure as their right winger
knocked a hanging cross which evaded the Hill defence and allowed a
free header for the Old Owens striker to put them 1-0 up.
This brought the match to life as The Hill were now chasing a game
they had to win in order to mount any sort of a challenge on the top
sides in the league. Thorpey and Bennis both had re-occurring
injuries on their minds and with only one sub on the bench, due to
Fitzpatrick being otherwise engaged and unable to make the game,
youth replaced more youth as Roche was introduced for Bennis and
Thorpe was left to soldier on. Roche’s first involvement came with a
dazzling run where he left the defenders for dead only to pick out
the grateful hands of the goalkeeper. However the signs were good
for Winchmore and pressure began to build on the Owens goal.
Then came the moment of inspiration. With twenty minutes to go a
tame clearance from an opposing defender fell to the feet of the
deadliest long shooter in the side, Will Dench. He took one look at
the goalkeeper and let fly from thirty yards. The ball sailed over
the keepers head, crashing onto the crossbar and into the net to
send the away supporters into ecstasy.
This gave Winchmore the impetus they required to go on and win the
game. More chances came our way, with An Rui and Roche just firing
wide from excellent opportunities. Winchmore were nearly made to pay
for their missed chances as the defence were caught stranded on the
counter attack on a number of occasions, and had it not been for
Griffiths
in goal the game could have been snatched away in the dying minutes.
As it was, a draw seemed a fair result with both sides not quite
doing enough to win the game. A lot of positives can be taken from
the match as we showed character and desire to come back from a
deficit; however there are still lots to learn and improve upon if
we are to have any success this season.
I can
confirm that Kokkinos will be joining the rest of the team on the
train next weekend as his car failed to pass its MOT, and
unfortunately will never be seen at a Winchmore Hill away day ever
again.
Winchmore Hill 3 Merton 2
SAL Intermediate Section Division One
Saturday 12 December
A somewhat inconsistent season for the Reserve’s meant that this
fixture was to be pivotal in determining the ambitions of this young
team, settle for mid-table mediocrity or mount a serious challenge
towards the North of the league table.
Cookie returned from injury replacing Samson while Kokkinos slotted
back into midfield replacing player-manager Hornsby.
After only ten minutes The Paulin Ground was once again at the
centre of the ‘goal line technology’ debate as a shot early on was
deemed to have crossed the line by the entire Merton team who
fortunately all found themselves with an unobstructed view of the
Hill goal line. The Referee resisted the appeals…..
Hill started the match solidly but conceded early after a scramble
in the box. There was no white flag and Hill instantly began to push
for the equaliser coming close on a few occasions before equalising
from a free-kick. Fitzpatrick saw his in-swinging cross nestle
itself kindly into the net after both teams had failed to get onto
the end of it.
The rest of the half by no means fizzled out, this competitive
fixture was there for the taking and it was up to Hill to take this
game by the scruff of the neck. For the rest of the half they did
just that and were rewarded just before half time. A good attacking
move gave Newton space to deliver a peach of a cross from the right
hand side which was met emphatically by Kokkinos whose diving header
narrowly beat the outstretched goalkeeper. Kokkinos’ golden boot
campaign was well and truly back on track!
Hill went into the break with a deserved lead but knew the battle
was by no means over. An inspirational half-time team talk from
Newton saw even ‘boxer’ Frank overcome with emotion.
Hill knew that scoring an early second half goal would obliterate
the Merton resistance but unfortunately the next goal was an
equaliser, once again from a set piece.
Hill were not ready to succumb to a rugged Merton side. Hill still
had the desire but the game hung on a knife edge. Both teams
remained competitive but neither were managing to create any clear
cut chances. A string of changes for the home side gave Hill the
‘shot in the arm’ that they needed (all be it at the expense of
seeing a furious Haslam storm into the changing room hurling insults
and threats at several Hill players after being substituted) and a
breakthrough looked remotely possible. Up stepped Joe Bennis who
with five minutes left on the clock sent a stinging shot towards
goal which the goalkeeper could only parry into the back of the net
sending the Hill support into a state of euphoria.
A superb victory for the reserves….
Hill must look to take this attitude into next Saturday’s game and
formulate a consistent run of results which will give the side a
chance of realising its full potential.
I can confirm that a hole was discovered in the wall of the home
dressing room following the victory….. Haslam has strongly denied
any involvement.
Old Aloysians 2 Winchmore Hill 4
AFA
Middlesex & Essex Intermediate Cup
Saturday 5 December
The Reserve’s arrived at Aloysians with a point to prove after last
week’s lacklustre display. Hornsby’s team looked far superior on
paper but this was by no means a foregone conclusion; a dodgy pitch
and a dubious choice of referee gave this fixture added spice.
Prior to the game Steve was once again quizzed about the
legitimacy of his university exploits on the back of continued
speculation about his social network being fabricated.
Hill enjoyed the lion’s share of possession early on but couldn’t
capitalise. The breakthrough came when a ball came through to Newton
who cleverly ‘beat’ the offside trap and shrugged off two defenders
to calmly finish, once again adding weight to the ‘Newton for first
team’ campaign.
Hill began to take control; Bennis once again came close from the
consistently successful ‘trick’ corner, but fired just wide. The
Aloysian’s, still in the game were rewarded for their perseverance
with an equaliser on the half hour mark. A cunning ball from the
midfield split the Hill defence and saw the Aloysian’s forward
finish superbly across the keeper.
Hill continued to press forward and regained the lead in the final
stages of the second half. A corner swung in from the left was
punched by the Aloysians keeper but volleyed back towards goal by
Newton who had his effort excellently saved........by their left
back! He was formally sent for an early bath and it was up to
Fitzgerald to restore the lead; he did just that, sending the keeper
the wrong way.
The game was Hill’s to lose now but a third was essential to send
this game to bed. That came from an unsuspecting Haslam who saw the
opposing keepers clearance rebound off him straight over the keepers
head and in to the back of the net.
Hill continued to create chances but a boggy penalty area made
converting that bit more difficult! The nail in the coffin was
inserted firmly by Hornsby who beat a defender to curl the ball
expertly into the top corner.
Aloysian’s continued to fight and gained a mere consolation towards
the end but Hill were safely through to the last eight of the cup.
Denchy continued to add to his Christmas list but in the process
received a stern warning from the barman after trialling a toy on
his pint of Fosters.
Winchmore Hill 0 Old
Salesians 1
SAL Intermediate Section Division One
Saturday 28 November
Salesians arrived
at the Hill with a clutch of fringe 1st teamers who seemed keen to
prove a point. The Hill arrived at the Hill with a maybe attitude;
guess what happened next?
As captain I need to take full responsibility for a shocking
personal performance that only added weight to the ʻNewton for Vets
campaign. I also take responsibility for the teams lack-lustre
approach to this home fixture. There will not be a repeat.
1-0 to a talented but culturally bereft Salesians side.
Old Wilsonians 2
Winchmore Hill 1
AFA
Intermediate Cup
Saturday 21 November
Winchmore Hill 2s kicked off this week by traveling the long and
tiring journey to play Old Wilsonians in a highly anticipated AFA
cup game. Hill arrived at Wilsonians headquarters and prepared for
the game as best as they could as they knew they were in for a rough
and tough game of football against Wilsonians whose average height
was in the region of the 6 ft 5 margin. As usual the skipper and
gaffer Jack Newton gave his team talk to indicate what he expected
and to fire up this Hill side as we wanted to proceed into the next
cup draw. Minutes before the game kicked off the ref gave a
courageous and inspiring speech which was so inspiring it could have
got him votes to become a member of parliament.
Finally kick-off came and so did a very slow start from the away
side; we lacked composure and confidence in our own abilities. Hill
slowly started to realise that to beat a big and sluggish team like
Wilsonians we have to keep the ball on the deck; a good surface to
play an entertaining and enjoyable game of football on. After long
minutes of the game past Wilsonians broke the deadlock by beating
the Hill's defence and whipping in a well placed cross onto the head
of a poaching player who attacked the ball well and headed home to
give the opposition the lead, Hill were now 1-0 down. The second
major move of the first half came from Wilsonians again as they
whipped a low ball into the area and their player latched onto it
giving little chance to Hill's goalkeeper. This was a first half
that has had enough said about it and is to be forgotten.
During the half-time break Hill were given a pasting by the
gaffer/skipper; He demanded effort and application (at least that's
how the Owens 1st team heard it). Winchmore Hill then certainly
provided a response by mixing things up and putting more pressure on
the Wilsonians keeper and back line. A major point came in the
second half when Hill's striker An-Rui, who had demonstrated
tremendous endeavor all day by running his heart out, was fouled
just outside the area which seemed a desperate and needless foul
while baring down one on one with the keeper; shockingly the ref
gave nothing despite his heroic speech before the game. Throughout
the half Hill showed they were still in the game by keeping the ball
on the ground. Hill were outwitting the Wilsonians side, again
leading the team to bring down a Hill player outside the box,
Charles Matthews then stepped up to hit a peach of a sliced freekick
to start Hill's courageous comeback trail.
Unfortunately Hill had some bad luck when the referee failed to give
a blatant penalty when An-Rui was brought down in the box. Hill were
now fighting against the clock to get a goal to take it to extra
time. As we battled on the clock beat us and we lost the game. The
positives shown in the scenario are that when confident and willing
to give 100% and work for each other the way we did in that second
half we'd be fearless against any side and give them a run for their
money.
Written by John Hallet (late for the game by 50 minutes after Nick
convinced him to stop en route at Vauxhall?!?)
Winchmore Hill 4 Old Edmontonians 0
AFA
Middlesex & Essex Intermediate Cup
Saturday 14 November
A
wet and windy day began with the squad being awoken by a text
message from Newton stating that due to adverse weather conditions
he would later be sending a text message to confirm the situation
due to adverse weather conditions. Shortly later the game was given
the go-ahead.
Newton, having done a bit of maths, decided to rest himself and keep
his goals-to-games ratio intact. He was however ever-present on the
touchline sporting Nick Hornsby replica tracksuit bottoms, a trend
fast growing across the fairer quarters of London. Hornsby himself
arrived only just before kick-off as delays following his all-night
MegaWoof! DJ set at Club Colloseum prevented him from leaving
Vauxhall on time. There were also a couple new faces with Dave and
Richie bringing the head count to 14.
Faced with torrential rainfall and gale force winds the squad lined
up to face Old Edmontonians. In spite of Newton's warnings Hill
started slowly and were forced to weather an opening storm of
attacks. The back line dealt with everything thrown at them and
Griffiths was on top of his game to tip a well struck free-kick over
the bar.
The flow of play was reversed as the Hill decided to get it on the
ground and play it out from the full backs. The ensuing onslaught
could have resulted in 4 or 5 goals with Bennis, Haslam, Chiew and
Chapman all going close but in the end it was a Darwinistic
breakthrough as the team with the best ability to adapt to the
environment notched first. A slick passing move from the Hill
shifted the ball across from the left and who better to be found in
a couple yards of space outside the box than William Dench? The
young Welshman had a calculative look in his eye as he launched a
rocket that any other day would have eventually come down somewhere
between Brighton and Bognor Regis. Instead, ten yards from goal the
ball hit an onrushing gust and dipped beneath the bar for the
opener, so shocking the keeper that he dropped his sack of pies.
Genius.
The half then petered out with a period of stale play, Winchmore
seeming comfortable to sit on the lead and Edmontonians lacking the
inspiration to equalise.
The second period was a different story entirely. Wind behind them,
shackles off, Hill were free to let their superiority show and it
wasn't long before it was 2-0. Chapman burst down the left wing and
fired in a rapid cross that slipped through the keeper's paws
allowing Bennis a simple tap in. Chapman celebrated his team mate’s
goal with a Ketsbaia-esque attack on the metal railing by the pitch
only to come out second best and was duly substituted for Richie.
Edmontonians were fading now and although a few moves orchestrated
by their handy number 15 threatened to turn it back into a contest
Samson and Hallett were having none of it. Instead, a ball from
debutant Dave to the right found Chiew with space in his own half to
slide past two men before launching an unstoppable shot that
definitely didn't hit any funny patches in the ground to bounce out
of the reach of the already committed keeper who probably wouldn't
have saved it anyway. 3-0.
By now everyone was keen to get in on the act. Samson marauded up
pitch and launched a shot that whistled past the post, Beech cut in
and considered hitting one before opting for a much safer horizontal
pass, Godsalve lashed a first time volley just wide and Nick came on
to instantly force the keeper to push over his bar. The fresh
wingers sent in a salvo of crosses and shots that annoyed the back
four who were wet, cold and quite frankly had had enough of
defending for the day.
With no challenges coming in winning a penalty seemed unlikely and
Kokkinos realised that if he was going to remain in contention for
golden boot he would have to take matters into his own hands.
Luring the defence into a false sense of security by involving them
in a game of headers and volleys he advanced through the box to
smash in his fourth of the year and Winchmore's fourth of the game.
The final whistle followed shortly to the relief of the bedraggled
opposition.
So the run continues - 4 wins on the trot, 13 goals in 3 games, a
surge up the table and advancement in both cups. With a long trip
to Old Wilsonians next week Hill should be looking to make the most
of the journey and extend their cup adventure.
East Barnet O.G. 2 Winchmore
Hill 4
Southern Amateur League
Intermediate Section Division One
Saturday 7 November
Another away trip for the Hill, this time to sunny Barnet
and rumours of a much-improved surface. As usual the defence changed
– Matthews (who had cleverly taken advantage of the government’s
cash for clunkers scheme to trade in his Bentley for a Porsche)
returned to right-back and Hallett to centre-back after lying low
since the West Ham-Millwall game. Despite impressing last week,
impact player Roche was dropped from the squad after daring to
criticise headmaster Newton for his persistent bullying and taking
him to a pub where the curtains are always drawn and “I wasn’t
watching” doesn’t cut it as an excuse for not putting a pound coin
in the pint glass.
EBOGs got the better of the first 20 minutes, trying to get it wide
and take advantage of two big headers of the ball in centre midfield
and upfront. One chance from close range was spooned over the bar
before the hosts were stunned by two excellent Hill goals. Chiew had
started the game like he’d just been told he’d transferred last
month’s rent into the account of George Agdgdgwngo from Badman Bank
of Nigeria. However, he then had an inspired 20 minutes, collecting
an excellent Dench pass on the halfway line, skinning two defenders
and coolly slotting past the keeper.
At this point, Newton was hobbling around the pitch and his injury
can be the only explanation for what followed. Godsalve played a
long ball down the line for the marauding Chiew, who’s cross was
buried by Newton left-foot first-time into the bottom corner.
Feeling his job was done and after seeing Hornsby’s inspired warm-up
on the sidelines, Newton sacrificed himself. Chiew then went on
another mazy dribble that ended with the keeper saving an underhit
chip.
At the start of the second half, Hornsby had a great chance to
extend the lead after Bennis had bundled through two defenders but
screwed his finish wide with just the keeper to beat. Ten minutes
later, he made up for it with a goal against the run of play as
Beech headed a free-kick back across the area, Chiew’s effort was
blocked and Hornsby buried the loose ball into the roof of the net.
EBOGs didn’t give up and brought two 1s players into centre-mid, but
it was Hill super sub Chapman who showed them how to make an impact,
handling the ball in his own area with his first touch. EBOG’s burly
striker dispatched the penalty into the top left corner. EBOGs
pressed forward, helped by some nervy Hill play but their shooting
was off or was met by solid defending. With about 15 minutes to go,
EBOGs scored a controversial second. A speculative hoof ended with
what seemed a foul on Hallett, then on Griff who had his hands on
top of the loose ball while an EBOGs player poked it in the net. A
Bennis cross hit the near post with the keeper stranded but the Hill
were hanging on. Dench, minutes after a bizarre run along the
halfway line in a bid to break his personal keepy-uppy record, was
unluckily booked (strangely the Hill’s third) for persistent fouling
with the ref pointing out three previous fouls made by other
players.
Beech and Matthews killed time on the right wing, holding up the
ball waiting for the inevitable foul from the EBOGs left-back, who
couldn’t help himself and obliged several times. Hornsby eventually
got bored of this tactic and in injury time took the ball into the
area and was hacked down by a frustrated defender. Kokkinos
converted the penalty and the game was safe.
The Hill have got a good run going and while most of the team look
forward to extending this in next week’s cup match, the Redbridge
contingent’s minds will be on how best to woo their new fraulein
acquaintances. Hornsby will no doubt try and impress by modelling
another new adidas tracksuit that would surely win more admirers in
his favourite Vauxhall area, while Hallett has decided to broaden
his German vocab by watching more ‘art-house’ films. It’s all about
choices...
Old Vaughanians
3 Winchmore Hill 5
AFA Intermediate Cup
Saturday 31 October
A
fine afternoon and an outstanding playing surface confirmed Hill as
comfortable favourites to progress through to the next round of the
AFA cup. However, a combination of incompetent defending and
complacency left the Reserve’s disturbingly close to an early cup
exit.
Once again, poor communication from the skipper lead to a prolonged
journey for the team. While the wait at Vauxhall was tedious and
mundane for most of us, Mr Hornbsy took full advantage of the
situation and found himself engrossed in what appeared to be a
lengthy dialogue with an admirer.
With the opposition having barely warmed up, the cup tie commenced
and for the first half hour Hill were very guilty of treating the
match as a forgone conclusion.
Vaughanians started well and deservedly took the lead early on with
a stunning volley from outside the box, (memories of a young jack
Newton came flooding back). Hill quickly equalised with Anrui
slotting home coolly past the keeper after latching on to a flick
from his inadequate strike partner.
Hill failed to capitalise on the equaliser and their play became
increasingly rushed and sloppy. Hill were punished accordingly with
goals two and three coming in quick succession for Vaughanians who
were now full of confidence. Towards the end of the first half the
ship steadied slightly but the half time hair dryer treatment was
inevitable. Something about choices……..?
Hill began the second half well and threatened to get themselves
back into the game. Kokkinos was particularly impressive and after a
dazzling run into the box shot just wide early on. The revival began
around the hour mark when a dangerous ball in from the right was
turned into the Vaughanians net by an unsuspecting centre half.
Vaughanians looked jaded; it was time for Hill to ‘turn the screw.’
After a rigorous warm up Hornsby was introduced to the action
replacing a cumbersome Newton who was duly dispatched from the
centre half’s pocket. Hill continued to press and midway thorough
the second half Roche replaced Haslam, goals three, four and five
quickly followed. The equaliser came from Denchie who found himself
in acres of space at the back post as a result of superb movement
from Roche who cunningly dragged the defender away. Shortly
afterwards Anrui gave Hill the lead, the opposition had succumbed. A
lapse of concentration nearly saw a shock equaliser as the ever
dangerous Vaughanians striker struck the cross bar midway between a
conversation between Godsalve and Griff on the edge of the box.
Hill’s fourth round place was confirmed after Hornsby poked home
after an otherwise faultless keeper dropped a scorcher of a shot
from Roche who rightly drew the plaudits.
The dream is still alive for the Reserves after a patchy display,
but nonetheless a place in the next round.
Newton once again ran riot in the changing rooms, intimidating and
tormenting the younger members of the squad who have recently found
themselves a target of this vile bully.
Mr Hornsby will no doubt have fond memories of the journey home;
after seeing some familiar faces at Vauxhall station he suddenly had
to ‘be somewhere’………..
Winchmore Hill 2 Nottsborough 1
Southern Amateur League
Intermediate Section Division One
Saturday 24 October
Seldom has a victory felt so good for the reserves; primarily
because most of them were born as your correspondent started
university!
A welcome return for Charlie Matthews and Scott Beech ensured that,
for once, we could select people in positions they were comfortable
in. A warm welcome was given to a strong Nottsborough side that
included the formidable bulk of Mark Grove.
Nottsborough started brightly with their recognisable brand of
probing play and constant movement, Winchmore’s defence kept a high
line and this managerial instruction proved to be folly as the pacey
centre forward got in behind to finish coolly. In previous weeks the
boys have struggled to respond, but Saturday witnessed a tougher and
more resilient 2nd X1. Battles were being won all over the field
resulting in a bout of whinging from Grove that only dogs could
hear.
Reward came through a clear penalty, despatched by the excellent
Kokkinos. We went into the dressing room confident and deservedly
level.
The second half was all about attitude; Haslam delivered another
accomplished display, Denchie managed to pull off his one trick
without falling over, Anrui tormented the back line, the back four
marshalled the dwindling threat posed by Notts with ease. Indeed
Notts managed only two attempts at goal, one of which produced a
save from Griff that even the old farts applauded.
Winchmore started to create opportunities; inexplicably the usually
correct Ian Kerr managed to spot an offside that denied your
correspondent a rare conversion. The pressure was on Notts now and
they responded with a spate of tackles that bordered on the
reckless; it was now up to the home-side to turn the screw and
convert the opportunity. Three substitutions upped the pace of the
game for The Hill and when Bennis was released down the right he
only had two things on his mind – texting his estranged (or is that
strange?) girlfriend and crossing to the far post; his deep cross
was met and the winning goal scored by Newton. A jubilant dressing
room celebrated a deserved three points and whilst the team shared
lager and Denchie’s increasingly weak banter in the bar Charlie
slipped off for another night on his Yacht. Good Times.
Leyton County
Old Boys 0 Winchmore Hill 1
AFA Middlesex & Essex Intermediate Cup
Saturday 3 October
Winchmore Hill 2’s travelled to Fairlop to play their first cup game
of the season against Leyton County Old Boys from the AFC. They
were welcomed by the opposing manager who informed us of the post
match catering arrangements and gave a glowing reference of the
referee who was described as being very fit. Rumours that he will
be replacing Alan Wiley next week are yet to be confirmed.
With a strong wind blowing across the pitch, Hill took to the field
playing a more conventional 4-4-2, the logical decision given the
shortage of recognised defenders. The early tactics of keeping it
simple in the difficult conditions ensured Hill didn’t put
themselves under unnecessary pressure and allowed the new look back
line to familiarise themselves with their new positioning,
especially with Roachy at right back who had to be well marshalled
by Cooky.
The first real chance came for the visitors with Jack finding space
on the left flank before delivering a chipped cross to the far post
which resulted in a slight scramble before falling to Tony who saw
his shot well blocked before being cleared. With the defence
looking increasingly solid and the midfield working hard, the
opposition were limited to half chances and a few wayward crosses,
with the only scare coming when the opposing striker managed to get
a shot away but lobbing it over the crossbar.
The second half followed a similar pattern with the home side having
slightly more of the ball but failing to threaten. With 15 minutes
of the second half gone, Lee, making his debut after accidentally
turning up to training in midweek, found some space about 40 yards
from goal and threaded through a ball for Anrui to run onto and
coolly finish into the bottom corner.
An injury for Danny saw Paul come on in centre midfield and the
veteran’s composed approach saw a neat interchange of passes before
being worked to the left where the overlapping Chris delivered a
cross which Jack could only stab past the near post. Nick replaced
Lee up front a little later as the final substitute, but meant Hill
were likely to play the remainder of the game with 10 men when Anrui
took a knock moments later.
This gave the opposition further incentive to push forward but the
organised Winchmore defence never looked overly troubled with Joe
and Tony making numerous interceptions to prevent them getting the
ball into the striker’s feet. Leyton did manage to work the ball
wide on a few occasions but were hampered by an over zealous winger
and Chris doing well to get his body in the way and clear a
dangerous looking cross.
The only lapse in concentration saw a through ball splitting the
Hill defence who were grateful when the striker side-footed over.
Hill almost put the game to bed with only 10 minutes on the clock
when a recovered Anrui found space in the box but saw his shot well
saved by the keeper. The minutes ticked by and Leyton’s final
chance came from their only corner of the game which found their
mountain of a centre half who could only put his header wide of the
far post. The final whistle blew a few minutes later and Hill,
earning their first competitive clean sheet of the season, had
booked their place in the next round of the cup.
Team: Griff, Roachy, Cooky, Ben, Chris, Joe, Tony, Danny, Anrui,
Jack, Lee.
Subs: Nick, Paul
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