Clements Athletic 2 - 4 Kynoch Sports

The score line suggests a wider gulf between the two sides than was actually the case, as Clements played with desire and energy to twice come from behind and get within 5 minutes of a well deserved point.  Unfortunately a game of football is 90 minutes rather than 85, and two late goals from Kynoch spoilt the result for Clements.

Alec once again had a wealth of options, including the welcome return of Bunny after a substantial lay-off.  With Niki missing this meant Eye-Ball wearing the poorly fitting arm-band (I really need to work on the guns), Tapsell partnering Rob at the back, and Bunny slotting straight back into midfield alongside Foggy.  H's impressive substitute appearance the previous week also earned him a start upfront with Liam.

Subs: Sharpy, Alan, Chris

There was a strong wind blowing against Clements in the first half, so it was important to limit the damage.  H very nearly went one better when the ball fell to him unmarked in the six yard box.  Unfortunately he is still searching for the finishing touch that saw him score 17 goals and be top goal scorer two seasons ago, and he did well to lift the ball over the bar.

Kynoch took the lead when their free-kick taker applied a similar trajectory to the ball that H had previously.  The difference was that he was about 35 yards out, and with Conor misjudging the assistance offered by the wind, we could only watch as the ball floated over his head and into the roof of the net: 0-1.

The response from Clements was instantaneous, and Bunny received the ball from the kick off before riding a few challenges and playing a pass down the line to Ryan.  He cut inside and finished superbly into the far corner: 1-1.

Kynoch retook the lead before Clements then scored one of the best team goals of the season.  Liam came short to play a one-two with Dale, who then repeated the same move with Foggy, all the time continuing his run into the box.  With the Kynoch defence bamboozled Dale then finished expertly into the far corner: 2-2.

The second half saw the quickest substitution of a substitute in living memory, in an incident that it is sad to say may have been Sharpy's last for the club.  He maintains that his dual with Kynoch's mammoth midfielder was under control, but having been booked and showing no sign of letting it go, Alec felt he had no choice but to swap Sharpy for Chris.  Alec was only doing what he (and some of the other players) felt he had to do to avoid Sharpy getting himself (and more importantly Ben) into more trouble, but it is a shame his involvement had to end like this as he has been such a loyal servant to the club, and has the potential to have such a positive impact on the side.  I hope we can still see him down the pub and enjoy a bit of banter, as there is so much more to Sharpy than what you see on the football pitch. 

Clements played really well throughout the second half, with Alan coming on to play the anchor role with a composure that meant he always seemed to have time on the ball to pick out the simple pass.  We were so close to gaining the point we deserved for some really dogged defending, but a strong run from Kynoch's striker through a crowd box somehow ended with a shooting opportunity as the ball seemed to stick to him through every challenge.  Tapsell's last ditch block wasn't enough to stop the powerful drive nestling in the top of the net: 2-3.

The 4th was a long range effort that exploited tired legs, and we were left with nothing but the job of taking down to goals as reward for our efforts.  Still, if we show that sort of grit and determination every week the rub of the green has to fall our way sooner or later.

Eye-Ball

Goal scoring chart

Fobbing 3 - 1 Clements Athletic (Ted Fairchild Cup)

The prize for winning this tie was a quarter final tie against Division One runaway leaders Purfleet Old Boys, with the winner then going on to play either Ockendon Motor Spares or St Clere's in the semi final.  Needless to say we were not overly optimistic of our chances of making it beyond the quarters, but this was in no way an excuse for a lacklustre second half performance against an established premiership side who we believe we were capable of beating.

Alec once again had a wealth of players to choose from, with only Ben missing from the previous game.  He rightly felt the key would be winning the midfield battle, and so opted for a 4-5-1 formation, with Nathan joining Tapsell and Foggy, whilst Liam was given the tough task of playing up top on his own.

Subs: Chris, Alan, Gollum, Harry

Clements started brightly, with the three in the centre of midfield working particularly hard to win possession and break up any Fobbing attacks.  Set pieces were always going to provide an opportunity to create chances, and Clements took the lead from a corner that was eventually put into the net by a Fobbing player after Rob got the final Clements touch in a crowded six yard box: 0-1.

Niki and Rob were doing well to stop any chances coming through the middle, and it was from the left flank that Fobbing fortuitously found an equaliser when their striker's cross from more on less on the bye-line evading the onrushing Conor and squeezed into the net from a ridiculous angle: 1-1.

For a team who must be used to playing against much bigger and nastier players in the premier division, there was a general feeling that Fobbing were a little over-theatrical in their reactions to win free-kicks.  From one player's screams, and the length of time he spent rolling on the floor, you would have put money on Dale having broken his leg.  As it was he was up and running around five minutes later, and it seems that he was then substituted more through the manager's embarrassment rather than the extent of his injury.

All the hard work of the first half was ultimately undone by a poor second half performance in which we conceded two soft goals and created very little.  The marking should have been better from a long throw which was gratefully headed home, and Conor was beaten by the bounce of the ball after listening to his team mates rather than his head.  We were all as bad as one another in the second half, and it was therefore disappointing to hear people aiming negative comments at individuals, and to see more energy being exerted arguing with each other rather than on trying to beat the opposition.  We all want to be good at winning, but it is also important to be good a losing.  You can always encourage someone to work harder if you feel they could give more, but you can't stop anyone making a mistake, or make any difference by reminding them of the fact.  I always feel we have won a minor victory when I see other teams turn on each other whilst we are being supportive and getting on.  No matter what the scoreline, or who the opposition is, we can always win this particular battle.

Eye-Ball

Goal Scoring Chart

Mossops 1 - 4 Clements Athletic

Liam made it five goals in two games as his hat-trick helped Clements secure their second win in as many weeks, and move up to third in the table.

Alec had a full squad to choose from, and decided to start with a very similar side to the one that had finished so strongly the previous week.  The one change was Nathan coming in for Ben, and swapping to Rob to play at centre back alongside Niki.

Subs: Ben, Chris, Alan, Browne, Gollum, Parker, Sharpy

Clements took the lead within the first minute before nine of the eleven players on our side had even touched the ball.  Mossops kicked off, and when Liam won the ball in the centre circle he passed it out to Dale on the right before running towards goal.  Dale skipped passed a couple of players before racing to the right bye-line and squaring the ball to the near post where Liam arrived just in time to tap the ball into the net: 0-1.

Clements continued to dominate in the midfield, and Ryan and Dale were a constant threat on the flanks.  Liam was always ready to run in behind, and capitalised on a floated ball over the top from Tapsell to calmly lift the ball over the stranded keeper: 0-2.

Clements should have extended their lead further when Liam was brought down in the area just as he was about to unleash a shot on goal.  Dale - usually so reliable from the spot - strode up confidently and passed the ball tamely to the keeper.

Mossops rarely threatened the Clements goal, and when they did get into the box Conor was on hand to snuffle the danger.  Clements went into half time with a deserved two goal cushion, but knew they couldn't afford to let Mossops get back into the game.

Mossops started the second half brightly and had Clements on the back foot for the opening fifteen minutes.  They were thrown a life-line when Nathan brought down Mossop's striker just outside the box.  Fortunately Eye-Ball was close enough for the referee to question whether a goal scoring opportunity had been denied.  Despite this a goal was not prevented as the free kick was curled beyond Conor into the far corner: 1-2.

We had to raise our game now, as Mossops were growing in confidence.  Alec was able to respond by introducing fresh legs with Browne, Chris and Alan coming on during the second half.  Chris was instrumental in restoring Clements' two goal cushion when he collected the ball on the left from Foggy, who had raced back to make a tackle and break up a Mossops counter attack.  This enabled us to counter their counter, and Chris made it to the bye-line before crossing low to the far post where Liam was on hand to complete his hat-trick by applying a neat finish from a tight angle.

Unfortunately, Liam was denied the opportunity to take the match ball home (I'm not sure that actually happens in Sunday League football anyway) by another example of how not to strike a dead ball from Team Kenyon.  This time it was Ryan - again usually so dangerous from free kicks - who hit the ball onto the roof of the changing rooms from 20 yards out.

These missed opportunities had no bearing on the outcome, and Clements were able to put the result beyond doubt when Team Kenyon discovered they are a lot more effective as a team than individually.  Dale took a corner from the right, and Ryan reacted quickly to a deflection to hit the ball first time on the half volley into the roof of the net: 1-4.

The last time we played Mossops we were struggling for players, and were held to a 2-2 draw.  This result demonstrated what we are capable of with a full squad available, and hopefully we will have a lot more weeks like this.

Eye-Ball

Goal Scoring Chart

Clements Athletic 2 - 1 Lakeside Reserves

Two second half goals from Liam handed all three points to Clements, as they beat Lakeside for the second time this season.  This time both teams started and finished the games with eleven men in a competitive game where the result was always likely to go the way of the team who coped best with a strong wind blowing into the bottom corner.

Subs: Alan, Parker, Harry, Gollum

Clements had to cope with the wind in the first half, and did ride their luck as Lakeside created and squandered a number of good chances.  In the end Lakeside needed a little help from Eye-Ball and Foggy to take a lead into half time which, on the balance of play, they probably deserved.  Foggy dropped off to give Eye-ball an option from a throw-in, but then got caught in possession by one of the two over-sized Lakeside strikers.  He raced clear and squared for his partner for an easy tap in: 0-1.

Clements hadn't played for about six weeks, and it really showed in a first half where they struggled to string more than two passes together, and played the ball in the air far too often in conditions which really didn't suit this tactic.

The comments at half time were frank but constructive, and Alec made a tactical change with Harry replacing Chris to play up front with Liam, with the Kenyons splitting to run the flanks.

Whether it was the wind or the formation change that made the biggest difference will remain open for debate, but the improvement in the second half was clear for all to see, as Clements started to threaten the Lakeside goal on a regular basis.  H's introduction definitely made a difference, as the Lakeside defence struggled to cope with his pace and strength in the windy conditions.

Clement's equaliser came when Dale played a cross field ball from the right to Liam, who out-muscled the defender before striking the ball high on the bounce into the back of the net: 1-1.

The confidence in the Clements ranks was now high, and they took the lead when Ryan's corner was won in the air by Tapsell.  Liam was first to bounce on the loose ball, and he smashed the ball into the back of the net: 2-1.

Clements would have put the game beyond doubt if it hadn't been for a couple of remarkable saves from Lakeside's keeper.  First he denied H, who rose to meet Dale's cross with a close range reaction save.  Then he got down well to his right to save Liam's well struck shot through a crowded area.  Foggy and Dale also came close to scoring in the second half with rasping long range efforts.

Lakeside had their chances to get a point, but much like the first half were unable to take advantage of the good opportunities they created.  Clements rode the storm and held out to gain a much deserved and confidence building three points.

Eye-Ball

Goal scoring chart