Clements Athletic 0 - 2 South Stifford

The pre-match talk centred around the quality of today's opposition, and what a tough game it was going to be.  South Stifford have gained promotion each season since forming in 2010, and they lived up to their billing as one of the favourites to repeat this feat again this season.  It therefore demonstrates the high standards we rightfully set ourselves, in so much as we were disappointed with our performance despite keeping a clean sheet for the first 60 minutes, and having a couple of good opportunities to take the lead.

Having gained an early reputation for tardiness, Conor had redeemed himself more recently, and sometimes was even the first person to arrive for a game.  Unfortunately old habits die hard, and although you may say it is unlucky to have a puncture, and then change the tyre to find you also have one on the spare, there was a sense of the inevitable as Alec had to find a replacement goal keeper with a few minutes to go until kick off.  Fortunately Foggy was happy to step up, with H also returning to make it a 4-4-2 formation.

Subs: Bunny, Alan, Conor

Clements spent most of the first half defending, with South Stifford displaying the qualities we keep saying we want to emulate.  They passed the ball around, making neat triangles and hassled well when not in possession.  Clements defended bravely, but every time the ball was won back, within one pass or long ball possession was relinquished and we were back to chasing the ball and defending our goal.  Thankfully Foggy was showing no signs of rust despite it being six years since he had played between the sticks, and he dominated his area and came out at speed to thwart numerous chances.  The cross bar and some last ditch defending were also required to stop us facing more than a slope related uphill battle in the second half.

We may not have had much possession, but our directness almost paid off when H found himself clean through on goal.  Unfortunately his touch to take the ball round the keeper was too heavy, and the ball went behind for a corner.  So we had to settle for parity at the break.

Chasing the ball is tiring work, and add to this the confidence lost when every touch sees you under pressure, it is perhaps not surprise that Clements completely lost their shape and composure in the second half.  South Stifford didn't really have the pace to get in behind us, but they pushed us further and further back, and it was only a matter of time until their possession in and around the box resulted in shooting opportunities that they capitalised on twice: 0-2.

The introduction of fresh legs in the form of Bunny, Al and Foggy (who was replaced in goal by Conor) wasn't enough to galvanise some life into the team, and we basically limped over the line.  It was a shame that we weren't able, collectively as a team, to raise our game on going behind.  Alec is absolutely right in saying that we need to play the ball on the floor more, but for that to work the man on the ball needs people to find space and demand the ball from him.  Too often it felt like we just stood and watched as someone received the ball, and with there being lots of teams in this league who will be on you in a flash, options need to be available before a touch is taken.

I would urge people not to get too down about days like today.  The club has undergone a lot of changes this season, and it's going to take time for us to find our feet.  It was nice to not lose a game two seasons ago, but surely it is a lot more satisfying to be in a challenging league, and we need to play as a team, in style we should, regardless of the opposition or the scoreline.

Eye-Ball

Next game: Sunday 6th October - Essex Junior Cup- Away v Gallows United - meeting time to be confirmed

Clements Athletic 3 - 3 Orsett Green

A new season, a new name, a lot of new faces, a new management team, and a lot of new opponents to face.  This was always going to be a tough opening game against an Orsett Green side who amassed a respectable 15 points in the Premier Division last season, and Clements (nee The Oaks) showed good spirit to snatch a point having lost a two goal lead and been one behind with 5 minutes to play.

It's early yet to decide whether the pairing of Alec and Widge will be Fergurson and McClaren or more like Sven and Nancy, and they picked a starting eleven that had a familar look, but included new signings Foggy and Chris who were in for retirees Mikey and Nathan.  Browne also started, and is looking to make the right back shirt his own following the departure of Deano, the club's longest serving member.

Subs: Sharpy, Ben, Alan, Ed

Clements started brightly and had an early chance to take the lead when Ryan found space to shoot in the box, but unfortunately his curling shot went wide.  Ryan was then heavily involved in Clements taking the lead, when his in swinging corner was met by a powerful header at the back post from Bunny: 1-1.

The Oaks extended their lead in the first half, when a goal kick from Rob was won in the air by Ryan, despite him being surrounded by about four Orsett players.  His flick on put Dale clear, who had much too much pace for Orsett's defenders, and he slotted calmly past the keeper to get his goal tally off to another flying start.

Despite pressure from Orsett, Parker was doing a fine job debutising for Conor, and we were able to keep the two goal lead in tact at the break.

The second half started well, but quickly went down hill when two key midfielders were lost through injury.  First Foggy and then Bunny were withdrawn, and despite new signing Ben coming on and getting stuck in, and Sharpy doing what Sharpy does, Orsett took this disruption as an opportunity to pile on the pressure.

St Clement is the patron saint of sailors, and we definitely needed his help as our lead quickly evaporated and we were soon 3-2 down and sinking fast.  Tired legs and a loss of shape were really to blame for the goals we succeeded (although Parker might be questioning the grip on Conor's gloves), and it took a real effort to pick ourselves up in the last 10 minutes and keep fighting.  But fight we did, and when the ball squirmed under the body of the Orsett keeper and clearly over the line following Ryan's well struck shot through a crowded area, I feel that justice was done as the referee awarded the goal.  Every point in this league is going to be hard fought in this league, and we definitely worked hard for this one.

Eye-Ball