Season 27 - Division 5 (out of 6)
Start of season thoughts:
This season has the potential to be an explosive, exciting and topsy turby league with ‘The Rookies' (Paul McFaddens Team), Beechwood United (previous Bell Athletic), Hangovers FC and two other teams I know nothing about. It will be the first time we have played Beechwood at a competitive level, having played them in friendlies over the years. My hope for this season is to stay in this division and give us a platform to build on after 2 successive relegations. I would also like the team to score double figures for the first time since joining Eastwood. A personal goal of mine would be a goal (pun intended), as I have scored 0 since we have been playing over here.
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Match
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Dates
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Opponent
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Result (SS - Opp)
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| Match 1 |
05/03/2007 |
Leigh Bandits |
0 - 0
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| Match 2 |
12/03/2007 |
Stella FC |
1 - 1
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| Match 3 |
19/03/2007 |
Beechwood United |
0 - 2
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| Match 4 |
26/03/2007 |
The Rookies |
0 - 2
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| Match 5 |
02/04/2007 |
Hangovers FC |
0 - 0
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| Match 6 |
16/04/2007 |
Leigh Bandits |
1 - 2
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| Match 7 |
23/04/2007 |
Stella FC |
2 - 1
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| Match 8 |
30/04/2007 |
Beechwood United |
0 - 1
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| Match 9 |
07/05/2007 |
The Rookies |
2 - 2
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| Match 10 |
14/05/2007 |
Hangovers FC |
1 - 0
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Match 1
How the match went: This week we played the Rookies in our first competitive match against Paul McFaddens 6-a-side team. We have played them non-competitively before and had beaten them, so were hopeful.
The match started terribly for us with them pushing forward straight form the off. After a few minutes they won a corner and the resulting corner lead to a world class goal. They took it, Paul McF headed it back a cross and Tom (our player) tamely tapped it in, due to a breakdown in communication with the keeper. After this they continued to press forward and scored a 2nd shortly afterwards, when they stroked an unstoppable shot across the keeper into the bottom corner. There was nothing that could be done about the goal.
In the 2nd half we continued to try and go forward, but too many times it was longballs and from memory I dont remember having a shot on target in this match. The only decent thing about this half was that we didnt concede any more goals, due to top class defending, fortune and decent saves.
Overall a display that merited the result, with no shots on target and their share of the ball it was fair in the end. Next week Hangovers FC, a game which we can win.
Match 2
How the match went: This week we played Stella F.C. in the best match since I have been down there. It was competitive and played in a good spirit, with a nice open game.
In the 1st half it was an open match with both teams creating chances and Fung hitting the woodwork at both ends, including a delicate little chip which came back of our post. They also poured forward and Spanton was in scintillating form to deny the opposition numerous opportunities.
In the 2nd half it was played in the same spirit and the contentious moment came when we were awarded a penalty after their player headed clear in the area, but Andy put it against the post. They could equally have taken the lead when it was a 3 on 0 situation, but Spanton dived at the feet of the attacker to deny the goal. The excitement in this match came in the last minute, when Andy made a very short pass across the area, which the attacker pounced upon to take the lead. It looked like we would lose this match in the harshest fashion, but 20 seconds later Andy went up the field and scored with a clinical finish to make up for his pass to earn us a point.
Overall this was a fair result, but the only reason it was 1-1 were due to the fantastic form of both keepers. Both teams had chances to win this, so on reflection Im happy
Match 3
How the match went: This week we played Beechwood United in an eagerly awaited clash. Since we first started playing 5/6a-side we have both been in different divisions, so after 3 ½ years it was nice to finally meet in an competitive match.
At the start of this match it was cold and snowing, this showed in the early play as during the 1st 10 minutes neither team created any chances. After the initial period of coldness was over, Beechwood created a couple of chances, one of which skimmed over the bar. I was pleased with our defending in the period and our only chances were from impossible angles with little chance of going in.
During the 2nd half we continued as we were, but Spanton was making more and more saves. Eventually they (Jay) took the lead after a quick well taken free kick from the edge of the D, after Fungs sliding challenge. We tried to get back into it and started playing around a bit, but couldnt create anything so just tried shooting from impossible angles. They sealed the victory with a minute to go, after our defence was in chaos and they (Jay) finished clinically. Spanton could do nothing about either goal
Overall a poor display by us, with 0 shots on target. Beechwood played well created chances and were thoroughly the better team on a cold night.
Match 4
How the match went: This week we played the Rookies in our first competitive match against Paul McFaddens 6-a-side team. We have played them non-competitively before and had beaten them, so were hopeful.
The match started terribly for us with them pushing forward straight form the off. After a few minutes they won a corner and the resulting corner lead to a world class goal. They took it, Paul McF headed it back a cross and Tom (our player) tamely tapped it in, due to a breakdown in communication with the keeper. After this they continued to press forward and scored a 2nd shortly afterwards, when they stroked an unstoppable shot across the keeper into the bottom corner. There was nothing that could be done about the goal.
In the 2nd half we continued to try and go forward, but too many times it was longballs and from memory I dont remember having a shot on target in this match. The only decent thing about this half was that we didnt concede any more goals, due to top class defending, fortune and decent saves.
Overall a display that merited the result, with no shots on target and their share of the ball it was fair in the end. Next week Hangovers FC, a game which we can win.
Match 5
How the match went: This week we played Hangovers FC in an eagerly waited and important clash.
For the purpose of this week, I am going to put both halves match report in the same paragraph, as they were carbon copies of each other. This was a one sided match with us having numerous shots at goal and them not attacking. We created lots of chances, hit the post twice, the bar and forced numerous saves from the keeper.
Overall I am pleased with our performance, although the illusive goal evaded us. Credit though to there goal keeper who pulled off numerous quality saves, they earned their point this week.
Match 6
How the match went: No Match report this week-As technical difficulties
Match 7
How the match went: No Match report this week-As Andy Captined
Match 8
How the match went: We were outplayed although looked sound defensively. There is a lot to build on
Match 9
How the match went: It went well, both teams could have won it as both had chances. A fair result.
Match 10
How the match went: Although it finished a 1-0 win, we could have scored a lot more.
End of season thoughts:
At the start of the season I wanted us to stabilise and stay in this division, which was achieved by the skin of our teeth. The last day victory over hangovers meant that we would escape relegation instead of them. The other aim was to score a goal, which I managed this season to my relief.
Overall I'm please we can have stopped the rot and can focus on another campaign in this division.
