LOB Cup v Hale End Athletic 10th October 2009 - Match report

LOB Cup v Hale End Athletic
Lost 2 - 4

Another Saturday another cup game. We played our 3rd cup game in a row against a good organised team from Division 2 North.

Now we have lost a game I can cut my hair. After last weeks episode I was discussing with Aaron at training what type of headband I should wear to stop my flowing locks going into my eyes, as I would have scored a couple more goals on Thusday at training had it not been for the hair in my eyes. Should I go for the McEnroe look or the Berbatov/Torrres look. I decided on the Berbatov/Torres look. So Saturday morning before the game I found myself in Top Shop in Enfield Town with all the 15 year old girls trying headbands on. They had every bright colour available and in the end I settled for a green one (luminous). I showed my wife when I got home, and once she had picked her self up off the floor, I was persuaded that I looked like a pratt in it so in the bin it went. Maybe I will try for the McEnroe look!

We arrived nice and early for the game as we were on the top pitch for the first time this week. Nets were up and the pitch was in great condition.

With only one forward available we were restricted to playing 4 - 5 - 1, as Pasta was taken upto the twos and Petros and Harvey are both injured, but we still had a strong squad with three subs avalable.

The game did not start very well. Within the first minute they got a corner and from the corner their centre back came close with a header. We were very nervous at the back with passes and kicks going astray. The first corner should have been a warning, as a couple of minutes later they got anaother corner and the same centre back lost his marker and headed the ball into the net. 0 - 1

For the next 20 minutes they closed us down every time we got the ball and did not let us play the type of football we are capable of. It was only a matter of time before they scored their second goal. On 30 minutes they scored a second goal. 0 - 2

The second goal seemed to spark us into life. For the next 10 minutes we attacked them and had them on the back foot and our pressure was rewarded with a goal from Sean with his right foot. His first goal of the season. Half time 1 - 2.

I decided to change things at half time and play two upfront. It was a cup game and we had to score. So John Henderson came on for Sean as he was the only palyer on the bench who had played up front before, and could also play on the left if we needed to go back to 4 - 5 - 1.

The second half started the same as the first, with them having more of the ball and attacking us. After about 10 miniutes we were forced to make a substitution as Tom was caught on the ankle with a tackle and Adam Barrett came on in the middle of midfield with Eamon moving to the right.

We were still not playing well and after 15 minutes they scored a third. 1 - 3

Ben ONeil then came off for Adam Tompkinson and we went three at the back to try and chase the game. We were also fitter that they were and as the game went on, chances starting falling our way. Two chances for Niki and one for John came along and they should have scored. But unfotunately it wasnt to be and they caught us on the break and scored again. 1 - 4

We kept pressing until the end and John Henderson scored a consolation goal with 2 minutes to go.

Final score 2 - 4.

LOB is only a small cup anyway.

Team ratings

Louis Pontin 6
Ben ONeil 6
Andy Blackburn 6
Aaron Wilson 7
Cambers 6
Tom Hannington 6
Sonny Davis 6
Eamon Meaney 7
Sean Gallagher 7
Carl Stapleton 8
Niki Heigho 6
Adam Barrett 6
Adam Tompkinson 6
John Henderson 6

Man of the match - Carl Stapleton


John