Wilsonians 1s vs Winchmore 1s
SAL Div 1
19 October
Mood: Jubilant
The Hill took the long trip to Hayes on a bright but brisk Saturday afternoon looking to build on the performance of the week before.
An early start for many with an hours journey before reaching London Bridge and the remainder of the squad and a short 45 mins train and 10 minute uphill walk from there and we arrive at the ground just in time to avoid fines.
This is a ground that we had success at last season. We were all keen to repeat that, non-more so than Andy Russel who made sure we set the tone in the dressing room first so he could win the annual cone-off with his Wilsonians opposite number.
Our chat was simple. Remember what we did last week. Believe in what we were working towards but don’t take for granted that it would just happen. We needed more. More voice, more communication and more of the attitude that saw us working so hard the week before.
We left the dressing room in good spirit, ready to get into a warm up and ready to be ready to start the game when the referees would be ready.
And Andy was ready. Cones were ready. The board was ready. On it, a familiar back 4. Corfe, Weaver, Branners, and Jennings.
In front of them, Alex Bex and Sam Russel.
Wide men; Kieran Pearce (R). Lewis Swarbrick (L)
Up top; Tommy K and Barney.
“Go back” I hear you say…?
Lewis wide left?
2 up top?
4.
4.
2??!!
A master stroke it would seem. Kieran and Lewis provided the right balance of experience and energy to provide support both to the midfield and the full backs.
Tom King, whilst playing higher was still able to support with the loose balls and provide a service all across the top line.
What a different a couple of weeks can make. We picked up where we left off against Actonians. We moved the ball quickly through the midfield and put immediate pressure on the Wilsonians back line. Tommy K provided the spark up top that allowed us to get in behind and we nearly opened the scoring when he went through on goal and his shot/cross was neither a good shot or good cross and the ball hit the corner flag on the way to a goal kick instead of hitting Barney’s unmarked feet or the back of the net.
The breakthrough came around 25 minutes in. A rare accurate cross from Kieran (we’ll work on these at training fella) was confidently met by Barney in the air who knew exactly what to do. Cushioning the ball to Lewis, he took a touch on his left….pivot…. BANG!! The ball flew past the outstretched arm of the keeper. 1-0 Winchmore! Clean sheet now wins this game.
We played out the half to a 1-0 score line. The confidence from our last 2 hours of football and the score line was clear to see. We all wanted more of the same from each other to get this result we wanted.
Second half. 45 minutes to dig in where needed, and 45 minutes to capitalise on our hard work. Our set up and personnel worked well. Lewis and Kieran were able to tuck in and provide support in the middle while Tommy K ran the channels. Jennings provided additional support going forwards and kept we kept the Wilsonians back line busy.
We doubled our lead on the hour mark. Barney found himself wide of the box and his cross (definitely NOT on target) was clumsily headed over their own keeper into the net for a 2-0 lead to The Hill.
10 minutes after that and Barney was this time on the end of a free kick and he confidently placed the ball back across goal into the side netting to see us go 3-0 up.
A touch of luck about the fourth; Sam Jennings raced forwards again and in looking to switch a long 50 yard ball to Lewis on the left wing, completely shanked it. The ball flew straight and true and nestled bottom corner past the un prepared keeper. No one was sure what happened, Sam Jennings apologised (hopefully to Lewis and not the oppo) and we looked like we were taking the 3 points home.
Will Deamer deserves a lot of credit (again) for the clean sheet. As Wilsonians looked to get something from the game they brought on some pace and experience to challenge our back line but the only time they got in behind and the Beaver was there to make the save with a strong palm.
We kept the intensity throughout the game. It was great to see a reaction from a few weeks ago and even better to see the result. It shows us what we’re capable of and how we need to approach each of our games to get the maximum from them. We had a bit of luck with an OG and an accidental goal (sorry again) but we worked hard to create those bits of luck.
We go again next week in the AFA cup. A competition we know will be tough. Away to Owens. It’s going to take the same focus from everyone.
Onwards and Upwards.
MOM: Sam Russel – great industry in the midfield
DOD: Kieran. Late. Again. Missed the train because he forgot we play on a Saturday.