Garchonians 1s vs Winchmore Hill 1s
Middlesex and Essex Cup
22 Fenruary
Branners: Shocker.
It’s with great sadness I have to write this. We were duped out of the cup at the Semi-final stage caused almost in it’s entirety by myself and an absolute howler of a game.
We win as a team, we lose as a team and in time the feeling of personal responsibility will soften but 48 hours on and I can only apologise for letting down my team mates by having a few moments throughout the game that cost us.
Historically games against Garch have always been close. They’re in form in their respective league and their recent results have meant they were going into this game full of confidence in the way they go about games.
We have had a good 2020 so far and were looking to reach the Middlesex Final again to put some silverware on our table for the end of season do.
We won the toss. This was possibly the only time I contributed positively all afternoon.
Kicking into the wind we knew it would be a tough opening 45. Just as we had before, we were forcing the ball into good areas and looking to sneak an advantage early in the half.
Just as we started to get a foot hold in the game Garch took the lead. We lost the ball up the pitch and a seemingly innocuous ball over the top was watched by Branners as it floated in behind. The Garch winger pounced on an easy 1 on 1 and round Will Deamer. Sam Jennings almost came to the rescue with a last minute tackle but the ball stayed in play just yards away from the goal and the ball was slotted under the retreating Will for 1-0.
This gave Garch the momentum the wanted and made it harder for us to find the space we’d enjoyed up until then.
With half an hour gone Garch scored again. A long kick from the goalkeeper was due to land on Branners’s head on the 18 yard box. Hearing a last minute shout (that no one is 100% sure happened) he let it bounce. The bounce went nowhere and popped up invitingly for the Garch forward to leap ahead of Will in the sticks for 2-0.
2 basic errors. Simple misjudgements and we’re 2-0 down.
Will’s heroics, once again, stopped it going to 3 when he pulled off yet another 1 on 1 save. Whilst it’s great we have a keeper so adept in these situations it would be just fantastic if we didn’t keep putting him in them in the first place.
At half time we knew we were still in the game. Leroy had been getting success down the left, Barney had been linking with Lewis and with just a fraction more care in and around the box we could have netted ourselves.
We needed the next goal and almost got it immediately from kick off. TK was moved up top and Jamie brought in on the right. It was Jamie that played a ball over the top with only the 4th touch of the second half and Teeks narrowly missed out on getting his toe to the ball in what would have almost certainly beaten the on rushing keeper and rolled in.
Great start. And with the wind at our backs it made it harder for Garch to get out of their half. Forcing the ball down the right we won a free kick just inside their half. Sam Jennings delivered a long ball to the fa post that Corfe buried with his head. 2-1. Game on.
We had the momentum. Jamie Doyle had another impressive impact coming on and made it hard work for their back line. He was unlucky again not to score when he cut inside the full back and floated a ball to the far corner only to see it come off the bar.
Alex Bex nearly equalised when he flicked a Lewis free kick from the left but that too rattled the woodwork and stayed out.
Games can have many turning points and this was no different. Chasing a second goal and with about 20 minutes to play TK got in behind the back 4. He rounded the goalkeeper and from wide of the posts chipped the ball back towards the goal. The onrushing defender leaned in and the ball seemed to come off the top of his arm. From a couple feet away Teeks was adamant it was a pen. Lewis screamed at the referee…. But then realised he couldn’t see him. No Penalty given. The Linesman couldn’t be sure from his angle and when you’re half a pitch length away as a referee you’ve not put yourself in the best position either.
In the ensuing melee TK’s fervour and enthusiasm at instructing the referee of his error in judgement earnt him a yellow card. Yellows for dissent are also met with a 10 minute sin bin. And we would have to play out most of what was left with 10 men.
The extra man advantage was capitalised on in quick fashion. First with an agonising own goal scored by Branners to cap off an afternoon to forget for the skipper and then with a penalty after the Garch player was brought down in the box following a quick break.
Our late consolation was a good finish by Lewis from the edge of the box with minutes left. There was not enough time though and the final whistle blew and Garch march on to another final.
Just a quick mention here for new boy Jack Terzoli. He stepped up from the 5s as they had no fixture and gave a good account of himself. He adapted to the pace of the game quickly and looked to play the ball easy, keeping possession also getting the assist for Lewis. Definitely a player to be pulling through in the next few years to play up the sides.
7 League games left. Everyone of them important as we look to finish this season strong.
No game next week – Lewis, TK and Will all with the rep side in Jersey. Good luck to them and the Rep side.
MOM – Sam Jennings. Another strong performance against another good winger.
Special Mention for Leroy who continues to deliver week in week out.
DOD – Branners.
Onwards and upwards