Then there was the 240 minutes in two weeks in 2014/15, and like this game the first of these came at the worst possible time – straight after the Christmas break. The first game saw us lose again on penalties against Lakeside, and I’d implore Luke A. (and everyone else for that matter) to read this report; especially the second paragraph: http://aveleyaccies.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/lakeside-fc-4-4-clements-athletic-4-2.html (apologies to anyone with an Uncle Derek). The following week it was the same stage of the Essex Cup as we reached this year, and although the game was quite different, the outcome was the same – a narrow 3-2 defeat with the scores level at 2-2 after 90: http://aveleyaccies.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/valley-green-3-2-clements-athletic-aet.html
Last season we had the infamous grapefruit incident in Rochford, which is largely blamed for us going down 5-3 aet http://aveleyaccies.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/rochford-sports-and-social-5-3-aveley.html, and in the same season we lost 3-2 aet against premiership opposition : http://aveleyaccies.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/staines-utd-3-2-aveley-academicals-aet.html
What all these games show is that, firstly we have a pretty poor record when games go to extra time (in fact the last time we won in a 120 minute game was the famous cup final of the double winning season 2011/12: http://aveleyaccies.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/oaks-athletic-2-0-wilburn-wanderers-aet.html) but also that this club is renowned for fighting to the bitter end, and I’m proud to say that nothing has changed. However, with two more cup games in the next two weeks, I’d rather not beat our 240 minutes in two games record.
The Accies team bus (metaphorically speaking) rolled into East Hanningfield bright and early at about 9:30. The signs were not good that we were in the right place, as apart from there being a couple of goalposts roughly 90 yards apart, there was very little other evidence to suggest we were in the right place – unless you wanted to compete in a trail race, walk a dog or attend the local church. Still, I suppose we should have realised that life is taken at a more sedentary pace in the countryside, and at 10:05 we finally had access to the change rooms and confirmation that there was an opposition to play. The referee seemed in no more of a rush and the game finally got underway, with the following line-up, at about 10:40.
Subs: Craig, Scott, Terry, Luke A.
We knew nothing about our opposition, but maybe took the old advice of ‘let’s take a look at them’ a little too seriously. For the first 20 minutes there was only one team giving a lesson in how to play football, and it wasn’t the Accies. When we didn’t have the ball we gave Hanningfield far too much respect, we were slow to react to their movement and tackles were weak and ineffective. It was even worse when we did get the ball, as we couldn’t string one let alone two passes together, and kept putting ourselves back into trouble by not giving any options and being far too slow in moving the ball. Credit to our opposition though, who gained our respect as being a good side, and on balance probably the team that deserved to win based on football alone. They were all comfortable on the ball, and kept possession well. When we had the ball they gave us very little time and space, and were hard and clinical in the challenge. If they had taken more of the chances they created, they could have been home and dry within the 90 minutes. So the fact that we stuck with them, and even nearly snatched the win at the death shows how tough and committed we were. Having said all that whenever one of them had a flag in his hand, they were either completely inept at judging offside or were suffering from trigger-happy syndrome.
It’s no surprise that we conceded within the opening period of play, but it was still a little bit of a shock to do so within the first five minutes. The right winger evaded all attempted challenges and swung in a peach of a delivery, and the striker rose above Luke C. to power the header into the far corner: 1-0.
It wasn’t all one way traffic, and Liam showed that we could trouble the goal at the other end as he broke into the box, and from a tight angle curled the ball just wide of the far post. Still, it was against the run of play that the Accies found a spectacular equaliser. A free kick was lifted into the box, and the defender’s attempted clearance only resulted in the ball looping into the air. With the area still crowded, Foggy somehow found room to let the ball drop over his shoulder before swivelling and unleashing the sweetest of left foot volleys into the roof of the net: 1-1.
This goal did wonders for our morale and confidence, and the next 15 minutes saw the Accies on the front foot. Suddenly we were finding space, and the energy to exploit it. One argument would be that we should have raised the pace more, and those off the ball could have done more to make the runs that would allow the man with the ball to move it quicker. Having said that, this was the first game in three weeks and fitness and sharpness were always going to be an issue.
Dale worked tirelessly up top, but was being closely marshalled by an experienced and well drilled back four. However, he always finds a way to create a chance or two, and had his best during this good spell in the first half. He evaded the defender inside the box on the left and shot low and hard, with the keeper being lucky to block with his rear end, when the ball could have easily squirmed under him.
The scores were level at half time, and despite the obvious disappointment with the first 20 minutes we were really pleased with how we finished the half. The main criticism was that we were allowing the play to get stretched too much, by sitting too deep. Although we tried to rectify this in the second half, when we lost possession we had a tendency to drop deeper and deeper. It didn’t help that we spent much of the second half camped on the edge to our area, as we tried desperately to win back the ball from a team who were very good at keeping it. Because of this when it was won back we couldn’t get far with it before losing it again.
Perhaps if we hadn’t allowed such a big gap to develop between our defence and midfield following a goal kick, Luke A.’s misjudgement in our half with his back to goal wouldn’t have proved so costly. Having only recently entered the fray it’s no surprise he hadn’t quite got up to the speed of the game, and even less surprising that – by his own admission – a freshly poured pint of milk was spotted turning in the village hall by the time he’d rotated the 90 degrees towards his namesake and intended recipient. Luke’s pocket was duly picked, and before we knew it the striker was fed the ball on the edge of the box and finished first time into the bottom corner: 2-1.
The response of the boys was superb; Luke was picked up, dusted down and we went back to the business of getting back in the game. We all knew it could have happened to any of us, and probably had a various points in the game. We just weren’t punished as harshly.
We knew we weren’t firing on all cylinders in this game, and that a little bit of magic might be needed to keep our cup dreams alive. When Liam was tripped when seemingly through on goal, the defender was spared a red card, the foul was deemed to have been committed just outside the box, and Hanningfield’s 6 ft 6 plus striker plonked himself the end of the wall we could be forgiven for thinking all our fairy dust had been used up on Foggy’s first half strike. However, it turned out Lee had been keeping a little in reserved, as he lined up the free kick and curled it over and around the wall, leaving the keeper rooted to the spot as the ball dipped under the bar and into the opposite top corner. The crowd (Harry and friends) went wild and cries of “We’ve got ‘enry!” could be heard reverberating around the field (pitch would be an exaggeration): 2-2.
With the opposition stunned, we then came agonisingly close on two occasions to grabbing victory at the death. First Tony, who wanted more than most to win the Junior Cup to put alongside his Essex Senior Cup medal, found himself in the box with a sight at goal on his favoured and lethal left foot. Unfortunately he got the dosage wrong on this occasion and the ball flew high into the trees. Then Lee bulldozed his way into the box before having us all hold our breath as a harmless looking attempt caught everyone out and drifted agonisingly just wide.
And so it was that we would have to wait at least another 30 minutes to find out who would progress to the quarter final. The first 15 minutes of extra time came and went, with our only real chance being an effort from Terry that was comfortably saved at the keeper’s near post. Then, early in the fourth period, after another sustained period of possession, Hanningfield’s giant striker – who you’d put your money on being on the end of crosses – got to the bye line and delivered a peach of a delivery which was powered home by his diving team mate at the back post. Luke C. did all he could to get there first, but momentum and bulk were on the side of his opposite number: 3-2.
With ten minutes left the Accies piled bodies forward, with Craig looking the most likely to create a goal for us. Either with his testing crosses or through neat interchanges with Dale on the right. Frustratingly nothing in the box would fall for us, and even when Blakely got on the end of a cross there were too many bodies blocking the ball’s route to goal. Dale did manage to get a couple of shots away following the good work with Craig, but the angle was just too tight.
The referee’s final whistle was bitter sweet, as although it signalled the end of our Essex Cup run for another year, it also ended the pain the suffering that we were all putting ourselves through. In doing so a number of injuries were sustained, with the most serious seeming to be Foggy (knee) and Dale (ankle). Lee also didn’t quite make the 120 despite being willing to come back on when Dale went down. Hopefully everyone will make a speedy recovery, as we have many more big challenges ahead.
The post match debrief was a positive one; we accepted that we’d given our all, but that the best team (on the day at least) had won, and you can’t ask more than that. There was a lot of pride on show, and it was definitely a day to be proud to be an Accie.
It isn’t surprising that there were a number of players nominated for MoTM, and in fact it’s not often that I feel I need to say a little bit about every single player’s contribution:
Lewis – solid between the sticks, and always an outlet when we needed to start again from the back. Claimed and held everything that came into his six yard box.
James – wore his heart on his sleeve. Threw himself into every challenge and never stopped running.
Luke C. – after a shaky start, grew in confidence. Made a vital clearance off the line in the second half.
Blakely – had to dig deeper than most having only just returned after 8 weeks out. A leader at the back and put in some massive tackles.
Eye-Ball – deployed at centre back again and stuck to his task to sweep up pretty much anything that was played in behind. Just edged it for MoTM.
Liam – was up and down all game. Had a pretty tough time against a very good full back but won the free kick that took the game to extra time.
Foggy – right in the middle of the titanic midfield battle. Took it upon himself to galvanise the team and try and raise the tempo and keep morale high. Scored possibly the goal of the season so far.
Lee – always patient on the ball and looked to move the play to where the space was (which was easier said than done). Scored a blinding free kick and nearly snatched a winner at the death.
Bobby – an absolute terrier. Chased down everything and put his body on the line for his team. Deserves the respect and frequent MoTM votes he is accumulating from his team mates.
Tony – really came into the game following Foggy’s goal when he was particularly affective at turning insdie onto his left and finding Dale and Liam in attacking positions. Would have been gutted not to bury his chance near the end.
Dale – fed off scraps for most of the game, but this didn’t stop him working his socks off. Kept the defence on their toes, and warmed the keeper’s hands, but rarely had a clear enough sight of goal.
Craig – showed his quality when he came on, and added a bit of creativity which had been lacking. His crosses at the end gave us hope, but luck wasn’t on our side on this occasion.
Luke A. – recovered from ‘that mistake’ and gave all he had to the cause. Kept close tabs on their midfield general (who also happened to be ginger) and added much needed protection to the back four. Insisted on receiving the DoTD award – which says a lot about the character of the man – without much support for this from the rest of the team.
Scott – made himself very popular with the Accies fan club (but not so much with the opposition) with a brilliant ‘reducer’ minutes after coming on. Never shy of a challenge, and right in the mix as at the end as we tried to find an equaliser.
Terry – made a nuisance of himself and always tried to be an option as we moved into the final third. Had one sight at goal, but the keeper was equal to it.
Harry – even when he’s just on the side line you can’t help but feel like he is right in the thick of the action. Celebrated and cheered every challenge and neat bit of skill, and roused our small but dedicated following.
Those of us who have been around the club for a number of years know that the attitude, quality and commitment has changed a lot and frequently over the years, as so many different combinations of players have passed through revolving doors of your average Sunday league team. Historically, when the attitude and commitment have been brilliant, we’ve not been a great team in terms of footballing ability. But when we’ve had a quality side, collectively we haven’t always been prepared to stand up for each other and fight for the team – especially when we’ve had our backs against the wall. However, I can honestly say that I’ve seen enough to think the current squad can be the best we’ve had (at least in my 11 seasons) across all three of these attributes, with attitude being by far the most important. OK, so we might have to exclude training when talking about commitment, but no team is perfect. So keep turning up, keep giving it everything when you get your chance, keep going down the boozer, keep getting to training if you can, keep doing it for your team mates, keep calm and UP THE ACCIES!
Eye-Ball
Next game: Sunday 15th January @ home v Stanford Town - Ted Fairchild Cup
Goal scoring chart
Lee’s goal moves him to the top of the chart, but with Dale announcing earlier in the week that he has extended his contract to the end of the season we know he’ll be going all out to make it five golden boots in a row.
No comments:
Post a Comment