Clements Athletic 4 - 2 S.S.C. Orsett

Clements made it three wins out of three, in another game that was more challenging than it should have been.  This was thanks to the ineptitude of the league as we discovered five minutes before kick-off that the referee, who had confirmed the game earlier in the week, wasn’t going to show.  You have to feel for Sharpy, who must be wondering why he ever decided to take on the manager’s role as it has caused him nothing but headaches so far.  Still, he once again showed his commitment to the side by reluctantly offering to referee the game.  Milesy never would have done it, and I don’t think Sharpy will be again.

Although we had very limited options for a starting eleven, the squad was strengthen by the return of club captain Foggy, who stepped in to the heart of defence to partner Robin.  This return is probably earlier than it should be, but with 4 defenders missing there wasn’t really any other option.

Subs: Chris

It soon became clear that this was never going to be a classic, with Orsett realising that they could play an overly physical game, safe in the knowledge that there was very little Sharpy could do about it.  The game was also spoilt by Orsett’s almost constant whinging at every decision, which lead to regular debates that wouldn’t have been out of place on Newsnight.

Still, the task at hand was the same as always – score more goals than the opposition.  The Kenyon brothers got us underway in this quest when Dale hurled a long throw from the right which Ryan got his head to in a crowded six yard box.  The ball looped up and, much to the stand-in (gloveless) keeper’s dismay, dropped under the crossbar and into the net: 1-0.

Clements extended their lead when Liam wriggled free on the touchline and pulled the ball back towards the edge of the six yard box.  Dale reacted quickest, and with one touch pushed the ball round the defender before then slipping it past the keeper with his second: 2-0.

The third goal was started by what is becoming a trademark penetrating run from Luke, who won the ball deep inside our half before beating 3 or 4 players on his way into the opposition penalty area.  The ball ricocheted off a couple of defenders before falling nicely for Liam to side foot into an empty net (which is becoming his own particular trademark).  So for the third game in the row the same three players have scored, which has to be a first: 3-0.

The best other chance of the half was created and almost finished by H, when he slalomed into the box, but couldn’t find the composure or finish to test the keeper.  It also seemed – to Ryan at least – that the ball crossed the line for a fourth time, when his thunderous drive hit the underside of the cross bar before (crossing the line?) bouncing out.

It really should have been a case now of Clements relaxing, soaking up a bit of pressure, maybe scoring a couple more goals and cruising to a victory.  However, a rash challenge from Eye-Ball in the area, as he looked to make up for being beaten by the pass inside the fullback position,  gave Orsett the belief that they could still get something from this game as they converted from the spot.  Sharpy had no option but to award a penalty, and Eye-Ball can really have no complaints for winning the DoTD prize.  Maybe conceding the penalty on its own was not enough to gain this honour, but the rashness of the challenge, and the fact that it prompted an awful 10 minutes for Clements was probably what swung it: 3-1.

This awful 10 minutes ended with Orsett scoring again when their left winger collected the ball with time and space to kill, thanks to the fact that our two wingers were exchanging numbers in the middle of the pitch having responded to Sharpy’s request to swap positions.  The ball was played into the middle, and the forward found space to shoot low under Webby’s body: 3-2.

We limped to half-time knowing that we were going to have to up our game for the second half.  We had allowed ourselves to be bullyed up to this point, and Robin took it upon himself to show that we should be giving as good as we were getting.  His second half performance was colossal, as he won every ball and every battle.  He was excellently supported in the defensive task on the right by Luke, who ensured nothing got down his side, and probably only beat Robin to the MoTM award thanks to his first half attacking runs.

The second half was a pretty turgid affair, with neither side creating many clear cut chances.  Getting the fourth goal was vital, and we thought H had found it when Ryan lifted the ball into the box where it was met six yards out by our marauding midfielder.  Unfortunately, H poked it in the one place the keeper could save it, and the ball squirted away to safety.
Ryan did get the assist he deserved when he was hacked down in the box for the second straightforward penalty decision that Sharpy had to make.  The spot kick was duly dispatch by Dale: 4-2.

The next shout for a penalty game from Orsett, when H brought down their man on the right hand side of the pitch.  It was impossible for Sharpy to tell if the offence had occurred inside or outside the area from 30 yards away, so a closer inspection of the scuff marks was required.  After a careful inspection of the two marks (one inside and one outside the area), Sharpy deduced that a free kick was the correct decision.  This obviously didn’t go down well with the opposition, but in the light of so much uncertainty I believe this is the decision that any referee would have made.

We know that we didn’t play well in this game, which in a way makes it pleasing to still get three points despite not being at our best.  With a good run of fixtures (two weeks off didn’t help), and a regular squad turning up I’m sure we will really start to gel.

Eye-Ball

Next game: Sunday 26^th October @ Home v Great Clacton – Don’t forget the clocks go back, but if you do turn up an hour early you can start putting the goals up!

Goal scoring chart