South Shell United 0 - 3 Aveley Academicals (Memorial Cup)

The Memorial Cup is a new competition that has been introduced to try and fill those weeks that, on most years, would have been needed to catch up on games postponed due to the weather.  An unusually mild winter has meant a lot of teams getting through the majority of their games without much disruption, and therefore having time to play some extra matches.  The format is four groups of 6 to 7 teams from across the divisions – which gives the opportunity to play some different teams – with each team being played once before the winners of the groups meeting in knock-out semi-finals. The competition represents a good opportunity to try something different, but also means I have to write 6 more match reports than usual, so you’ll have to forgive me if I don’t dedicate quite so much time to describing these games in detail.

Our opening game was against the one team across the divisions who we were excited to play, but also simply could not lose to.  Former players Chris Batt and Joe Flower – plus a number of friends/acquaintances of Aveley squad members – play for division 3 side Shell, and on top of this they are the side that Ryan briefly joined, and who also turned down the opportunity to sign Mo, telling him he would not get in the team.  Their loss is definitely our gain!

Foggy was rewarded for spending the season between the sticks, by being given his first start out on pitch.  With Liam volunteering to play in goal, this left a hole on the left which was filled by Brian.  Sharpy had a couple of subs available, although one them (Harry) was driving (at a sensible speed I’m sure) back from Cornwall, where he had left at 0400 in order to get back in time for the game – now that’s dedication!

Subs: James, Harry

The big Springhouse pitch was in fantastic condition given the time of year, and Aveley made full use of it as they looked to play a patient passing game.  This didn’t always work to plan, as the more passes you play, the greater the risk of something going wrong.  As a result, we probably didn’t create as many chances as we might have done by adopting the direct style that has seen us net 85 times this season, and sometimes we got caught out when losing possession.  However, Sharpy was really pleased with the performance, and especially how we built play from the back, and kept possession for extended periods.  These games are a bonus, and it seems right that we should see them as an opportunity to practise trying something different now that the pressure is off.

Dale opened the scoring mid-way through the first half with a superb volley from Nick’s corner.  The corner was headed high into the air by the defender, and Dale – who was lurking on the edge of the box – watched it all the way onto his right foot as he struck it perfectly back through the crowd and into the top corner: 0-1.

Nick was involved again in Dale’s second as he won the header from Shell’s goal kick and set Dale through on the left.  There was still a fair bit to do but, with his confidence still high, Dale calmly bent the ball around the keeper and into the far corner: 0-2.

There had been talk of this game turning into a cricket score, but having failed to break down a stubborn Shell defence in the first 25 minutes, it was actually quite a relief to finally have a two goal lead to banish any fears of an upset.  Liam’s goal was rarely under threat, so the only way we were ever going to lose this game was if we gifted goals or wasted chances.

Sharpy made one change at half time with James replacing Brian on the left, who in turn reverted to a more familiar role at centre back.  This meant Robin taking a breather and the linesman’s flag, which I think he was more than happy with as it finally gave him something to do.

Despite playing well in the second half, we only found the net once more.  Luke picked the ball up on the right, and played a low cross into the six yard box which coincided perfectly with James’s diagonal run.  He beat both the defender and goalkeeper to the ball, and prodded home from close range: 0-3.

At times in the second half we possibly relaxed a bit too much, but the job was done and we could just enjoy seeing out the 90 minute in the glorious April sunshine.  I hope we can continue to treat this competition in the same vain.  We’ve worked really hard this season, and taken the task of finishing as high as we can very seriously, so let’s continue to use this cup as an opportunity to enjoy ourselves.

Group B:

MoTM was a close call, but in the end Mo pipped Craig to the award.  Mo seemed particularly up for this game, which is no surprised as they had turned him away earlier in the season.  They would have definitely seen what they were missing as he ran his socks off from box to box, was always an option when we were in possession and broke up play countless times with strong challenges.  The game plan suited Craig, who enjoys having the ball into his feet, and he was a constant outlet and vital link between defence and attack.  Foggy also seemed to enjoy stretching his legs, and if rust and fitness hadn’t held him back he surely would have dominated the midfield for 90 minutes rather than just the first 10.  DoTD was unanimously awarded to H, who shocked everyone with a sudden angry reaction to a nothing situation, which could have led to a red card if the ref had seen it, or a flare up if the opposition player had reacted.  Perhaps it was lack of sleep or the long drive, or maybe he had realised he needs to do some work to retain the award he is so attached to.

Eye-Ball

Goal scoring chart

Aveley Academicals 9 - 1 Stifford Social

When it’s the biggest game of the year, and the season is going to be either deemed a huge success or a massive disappointment depending on the outcome of one kick, you need someone with balls of steel to step up.  Someone who bleeds Accies red, and has a proven track record of delivering under pressure.  A man who strikes fear into the heart of other teams – some of whom have refused to take to the field because of his presence.  A man whose goal to shot ratio is second to none, and has a 100% record from 12 yards.  Cometh the hour, cometh the Eye-Ball.  All the diversion tactics and attempts to break his focus were in vain, as Eye-Ball stared the keeper straight between the eyes.  The silence from the sell-out crowd was deafening, and time seemed to stand still as 80,000 people momentarily held their breath in anticipation of what was to come.  Finally, the referee’s whistle broke the spell, and the brave warrior glided up to the ball before sweeping it low to the right, and out of reach of the keeper’s despairing dive.  He’s done it!  The game was safe and surely second place in the league was secured…

OK, so there may have been 8 other Accies goals, and one bloke who looked like he’d just stepped off a boat might have got 5.  Oh, and we might still need another team to lose a couple of games to make sure we finish second, but really none of this is worth wasting time or effort describing.  What, you want to hear about the rest of the game?  Really? Go one then!

The Aveley Sporting Village closes its doors for the summer in a couple of weeks, so this could well be the last game we play here this season.  With the sun beating down we couldn’t ask for a more fitting setting.  All we needed to do now was atone for the dismal performance last time out against Stifford Social, when it took a late goal from Sharpy to get us a point.  We definitely had a squad available to put things right, and Sharpy chose to go with the team that would have started last week if Chadwell hadn’t legged it.

Subs: Scott, Blakey, Nick

The game couldn’t have got off to a worst start as we found ourselves one nil down within the first ten minutes.  With the midfield and defence compacted, the ball was lost in the centre and one pass set the striker clean through, and he finished calmly at the near post: 0 – 1.

It definitely wasn’t time to panic, but the signs weren’t good as we struggled throughout the team for shape, touch, communication, energy and all round quality.  However, despite these issues there is always a chance that an individual piece of brilliance will get us back on track and provide the catalyst to swing the game in our favour.  At the risk of inflating his ego too much (it’s OK, there is plenty of room in Australia), Dale has pretty much single-handedly turned games in our favour and put results beyond doubt with his incredible goal scoring prowess, and if even when he isn’t scoring he is setting them up.  It was his 18^th assist of the season that help get us level, as a low cross from the right went straight through the defender, leaving Sharpy with an open goal and a tap in:  1-1.

Goal number 33 for the season soon followed for Dale, and with it some belief was restored.  Craig slipped the ball into the right channel, and Dale glided past two defenders on the by-line before knocking the ball into the net from close range: 2-1.

Dale’s persistent ensured we went into half time with a two goal cushion, when he chased a long ball over the top from Luke.  He stuck out a foot to prod the ball against the out-rushing keeper, and the rebound fell kindly between goalkeeper and goal to allow Dale to finish into an empty net: 3-1.

The half time team talk was constructive, and centred round the need for us to try and play some football, be more vocal and shorten up the play.  Liam had assumed managerial duties for the day, and made one change with Blakey replacing James.  There was some confusion as to who would play where, but eventually we worked out that Eye-Ball was moving to right back with Blakey partnering Robin in the centre of defence.

Magically everything seemed to be so much better in the second half.  The pitch seemed to have doubled in size, and the space Mo and Harry had been finding so hard to come by was suddenly in abundance as they completely took control of the game.  Suddenly people wanted the ball, and our build up was a lot more patient as we gave players chance to advance up the pitch before going on the attack. Stifford Social hardly had a sniff, and when they did get close to our goal Foggy was on hand to sweep up and get us back on the attack.

The second half goal fest started with Dale completing yet another hat-trick, which I make his sixth of the season.  H rolled the ball to him on the edge of the box, and with one touch the defender was turned before a second smashed the ball back across the goal and into the far corner: 4-1.

Dale’s fourth was a screamer as he let Nick’s (on for Craig) throw over the defender bounce past him before leathering the volley over the keeper and into the far corner: 5-1.

The sixth was a well-deserved first of the season for Mo.  With bodies in the box, Dale passed the ball to Mo who stretched out a foot to beat the defender to the ball and poke it past the goalkeeper: 6-1. 

We already know all about Aveley’s seventh, which was a first for Eye-Ball since 13^th March 2011.  On that occasion, Eye-Ball’s header earned The Oaks a 1-1 draw against Springhouse, which cost the opposition the league title (they lost out by one point).   There wasn’t quite so much riding on this spot kick, which was earned by Luke when he was brought down by the tired defender who had been run ragged by our left winger for most of the half.  Given the game was won, it was great that everyone (including some of the opposition) were desperate for Eye-Ball to score, but it couldn’t have come at a worse time given that the last time he had tried to kick the ball had left him on the floor in agony following a hip injury sustained earlier in the half.  Still, the target was hit and it wasn’t straight at the third choice keeper, so it could have been worse! 7-1.

The eighth came from someone we would have expected to score more than his tally of three for the season, and perhaps we just haven’t seen Harry do enough of what he did on this occasion, as he raced past his midfield partner before collecting the ball from Mo and powering towards goal before finishing neatly at the near post: 8-1.

The ninth and final goal was a fifth for Dale (surely that elusive double hat-trick can’t be far away).  Once again it was Nick who handed Dale a gift as his diagonal ball into the box fell at the feet of the striker, who was never going to miss from six yards out: 9-1.

When so many goals are scored, there is always going to be minimal time devoted to the missed chances, but Luke deserves a mention as he was denied a deserved goal by the referee’s whistle.  Luke collected the ball from Blakey (who was equally devastated to miss out on his assist) and speed into the area. The covering defender fell on Luke, who instead of looking for a penalty got himself up and finished into the far corner.  However, the referee (possibly feeling sorry for our opposition) awarded a free kick against Luke, which was terribly unlucky.

MoTM could only really go to Dale, although he was given some competition from H and Alex, who put in an assured performance at left back as he displayed composure on the ball and strength and determination with some covering interventions.  If only work didn’t so often get in the way of him being available for selection.

DoTD was closely contested between Sharpy and Scott, who both missed from a combined distance of about three yards. Sharpy took a touch from a cross before blazing high over the bar.  The goal was arguable more open for Scott as he arrived at the back post to meet the ball, but could only drag it wide of the right upright with his left foot.  Given his reputation as a prolific goal scorer you could argue that Sharpy’s miss was worst, and therefore DoTD for our skipper feels like the correct call.

With only one game left in the league, there is only one team – West Thurrock – who could spoil what has been a superb season, and stop us obtaining the runner up medals we rightfully deserve.  It is so hard to know what will happen as they still have 9 games to play, but can currently afford to drop 6 points and still finish above us.  Our last game is due to be against West Thurrock, and if we were to win that would swing the balance back in our favour, as the challengers could then not afford to drop any points in their remaining 8 games (given our superior goal difference).  The problem is that we might not be able to play the game given the lack of a pitch.  It would be so cruel to lose out on second in this way, but the fact that West Thurrock still have to play the best teams in the league (including Stanford and Trojans twice) will hopefully play in our favour.  Still whatever happens, there have been so many great moments this season and we should be very proud of what we have achieved.

Eye-Ball

Goal scoring chart

Chadwell A - W Aveley Academicals (Away walkover)

So, if Chadwell think the best way to get revenge for a 16-3 aggregate score line over two games is to stand around, and let us get changed and warmed up before declaring they're not going to play because they've only got nine players then what can we say.  You got us there boys - well played!

Still once the frustration of turning up for nothing has worn off, we just have to accept the three points like they will have to accept the fine the league slap on them.  Still at least Ryan K didn't miss out on yet another potential goal-fest.

Eye-Ball