Match Report Saturday 16th December

Coutts vs. City of London I

Cancelled

Result 3 - 2

LOB Olympian Cup 2nd Round

Scorers - Keane, Yapp 2

MoM - Danny, says a lot about the performance, the custodian as saviour

Winning ugly, very much the hard way.

A niggly cup game against a competitive, physical Compton team went COL's way by the odd goal in 5 but it was far from easy. The 3-5-2 got a second run-out with Andy Pamph stepping into the back line, with Swerve and John W, the Captain temporarily indisposed.

In summary, the visitors were all over us for the first (X-rated) 20 minutes which were best forgotten from a COL point of view. Fortunately as we have discovered on various occassions this season, dominance in possession and tenacity does not always reap the deserved results and so it was here as a rare attack, a perceptive ball from Paul A. and a keeper fumble led to Keane carry on his hot streak, slamming his 3rd goal in 2. From then on, the game was more even but the feeling persisted that the visitors were still well and truly still in the game and they turned things around well to take a lead into the half.

The first goal possibly down to the unfamiliar system (or possibly not), Compton penetrating round the back and crossing in for any one of three on-rushing strikers to finish. The second a speculative shot into the sun perfectly placed in the corner, nudging in off the stanchion. There followed a session of handbags, the dream team of Ben and Sage getting involved and receiving yellow cards for their trouble.

It could have been worse had Danny not brought his A-game to the party, the Compton aeriel bombardment dealt with expertly by the gloveman. Not all one way traffic though, as from Kebabbe's corners we always looked dangerous, a cluster of onrushing predators rapping the post, the closest effort.

Restored after the half time break and pep talk, we began well in the second half, the midfield linking up far better and the benefits of playing 5 in midfield became apparent as a chance was created for Yappy overlapping on the left. The shot was hard and on-target but straight at the keeper who fortunately fumbled it over the line for the equaliser.

That stroke of good fortune spurred the green army on and as the visitors tired midfield dominance was slowly established with Paul and Ben influential and PG and Kebabbe starting to create. The source of the winner was Kebabbe turned provider, a turn of pace and no little skill finding a good position down the right, a composed cross turned in on the half-volley nonchalantly by Yappy.

Various chances to win the game were spurned, Ben coming closest clipping one onto the bar. That left the door ajar for Comptons but Danny at times desparately kept it to two and John W deserves a mention for one perfectly timed tackle in the box, becoming a speciality after similar the previous week.

All eyes on the next round draw.

Result 3 - 1

LOB Olympian Cup 2nd Round

COL 3rds played their final game of the calendar year against a BBC side that resided four leagues above in the AFC structure, the same division as our second team. However, instead of being intimidated, we really fancied our chances to progress into the third round and finish the year on a high note. On a pitch that proved to be a leveler, the game kicked off a few minutes late. It was decided that we would try a different formation for this match, a 3-4-3 formation which allowed us to accommodate Fitzy into the starting line up alongside Andre and Clyson in a 3 pronged attack.

Despite the pitch, we set out our stall to play quick accurate passing from the outset, and with our defence closing the gaps excellently at the back, our midfield and attack enjoyed a lot of possession and before long we were creating chances. We were forcing the pace, and the extra man in attack allowed the link up play to flow freely, and we were soon raining in shots on their goal, but their keeper was managing to beat all efforts away. The first goal came after about 20 minutes. A move down the left saw the ball arrive at the feet of Fitzy, who cushioned a pass to Matt, who then took a touch and as a gap opened up in front of him, unleashed a fierce 20 yard strike that flow over the keepers’ outstretched hand and into the net. I am sure he will be talking about that goal in the pub rather than last weeks fortunate studded goal!

That goal seemed to raise the game of the oppo, and they enjoyed their first real spell of possession. This culminated in a free kick awarded just outside our penalty area, and the strike was goal bound until I got a fingertip to it which pushed the ball onto the crossbar, and the player following up could not capitalize. They had another decent effort on goal but again I managed to get a couple of fingers to the ball and push it round the post. This spell then kicked us back into action, and a few minutes before half time we scored our second goal. More good, quick passing in the build up play starting from the back resulted in the ball arriving at Andre’s feet. He took one touch to control the ball then struck a sweet right foot shot that flew passed the stationary keeper and fairly bulged the back of the net. HT 2-0 and the message was more of the same.

The second half was a tighter affair, with both teams having plenty of possession, although we always looked the more composed and threatening. Fitzy was now starting to shoot from anywhere in search of a goal he deserved, but he was to be denied by a combination of the keeper and the post. BBC to their credit tried to push forward as often as possible and won a few corners, but our defence, who had played well throughout, held firm. Another free kick won by the BBC, in an identical position as the first half, thankfully had the same result; a finger tip from me was enough to push the ball over the bar. The third goal buffer we wanted came midway through the half, Andre receiving a good ball from Jim, turned quickly and then placed the ball passed the keeper in the bottom corner of the net. That effectively killed the game off as a contest, but BBC did get a goal a few minutes before the end, a penalty area scramble ended with the ball at the feet of their unmarked player 6 yards out and he made no mistake. When the final whistle came, we had successfully progressed into the third round of the cup, and ended the year top of the table. A record of played 11, won 9, lost 2 is a fantastic achievement for a new team in the club, and provides a great platform for the New Year. Here’s to a Merry Christmas and a trophy filled New Year.!!

Goals: Matt, Andre (2)

MOM: Matt