Wednesday 21st April 2010

Houghton V Toddington Rovers

Harry Batcock, Tarsaim Rayat, Jordan Bough, Craig Peck, Jack Perch, Ethan Ward, Flint STanbury, Chetan Rayat, Daniel Ward, Alex Kerr, Lewis McCarthy

This fixture was moved to try and allow Ben our keeper time to get back from holiday to play in this important local derby.  Unfortunately Ben was a VAV - "Volcanic Ash Victim!" and we had to line up with Harry in goal.  Harry is a great keeper, but doesn't always like to play there. 

Toddington started slowly and things got worse.  A very sluggish start.  That said we still created a few openings with Jack Perch going close a couple of times.  The midfield were going missing for long periods and Houghton began to press.  Harry made a good save, but eventually Houghton scored to opening goal.

A few shouts of wake up were aimed at the sleeping Toddington players and eventually they began to play a little.  We put Houghton under pressure and eventually a great ball from Lewis over the top put the excellent Jack in on goal.  He doesn't miss those.  1-1.

A few of the lads were carrying injuries and were tired after school athletics practise.  Poor Chetan had just played a full match for his school!

A stern half time talking too was offered and we moved Tarsaim to the left of midfield and Alex Kerr back to defence next to the superb Jordan.  This was a match we had to win.

We started the second half with purpose but Houghton grabbed a lead again after some dodgy defending.  We continued to attack and won a corner.  Lewis delivered it and craig nearly poked it over the line but for the keeper to keep it out, Ethan was there to put it over the line for 2-2.

It was now that we remembered we could play.  More pressure and another corner and another finish from Ethan.  2-3.  Houghton broke now and then and scared us a few times.  Our defending was poor and eventually Houghton won a penalty.  Harry had the ball in his hands and the attacker kicked him in the chest to try and release the ball.  This was a foul of course but it wasn't given and Harry kickout out in retaliation.  The ref gave a harsh penalty.   Justice was done however when the Houghton taker blasted it past the post.  Almost immediately though Houghton were gifted another chance by our dodgy defending.  A long goal kick wasn't dealt with and it went right through to a Houghton player to equalise again.  Poor Harry hadn't done a thing wrong and had picked the ball out 3 times.

The boys lifted themselves once again and pressed on.  Tarsaim was superb down the left and he and jack were involved in everything good we did.  Another combination freed Jack again whose shot was saved,.  From the rebound Tarsaim shot which was saved again and then Daniel had a go, blocked by a defender and wide for a corner.  From the corner the fox in the box struck again.  Ethan finishing for a 10 minute hat trick.  The celebrations were superb.  Down on to one knee to mimic a "COD" move and Jack dived to the floor.  Surely we couldn't let this slip again?  No is the answer we continued with the pressure and looked as if we could score with every attack.  The Houghton keeper made save after save.  Eventually a Houghton Defender scored an own goal.  If he hadn't a certain Ethan was waiting to do it for him anyway. 3-5.  

With the clock running down we won a penalty for a push on Tarsaim in the box.  Lewis resumed penalty duties and continued his 100% record with a side foot into the corner  .  3-6

Player of the week?  Well.  Craig Peck had a great game a left back.  Very little beat him.  He  used his power to shield players into positions they couldn't harm us from.  Well done Craig.  Tarsaim had a good game as did Jack Perch.  But today it was Ethan.  A player who hadnt won player of the week so far this season.  A 10 minute Hat Trick is good going. 

Sandy Colts next.  Let's keep this run going.  Hopefully BRP will be released from his VAV status and be back with us.


Sunday 11th April
Aylesbury v Toddington Rovers

Starting Line Up:
Ben Rolf-Payne, Tarsaim Rayat, Jordan Bough, Craig Peck, Jack Perch, Ethan Ward, Harry Batcock, Chetan Rayat, Daniel Ward, Alex Kerr, Lewis McCarthy

A good performance again today on the road against Aylesbury.  Toddington started well with AK up front and could have been 2 or 3 up early on.  On the break Aylesbury had an excellent chance to open the scoring but managed to hit the post perhaps when it was easier to score.  Eventually the goal our play deserved came.  It was Alex Kerr breaking through and forcing a save from the brave keeper, the ball broke to Daniel Ward who slotted home.  Alex had another couple of chances saved by the excellent Aylesbury keeper, again he could have had 3 goals.  Some of the football from the B's was great.  Ethan played his part in midfield having a good game. 

Jack Perch nearly scored when through on goal but the shot high and wide.  He had more time than he realised.  From another Jack cross Harry put the ball in the net but it was flagged offside.

Half Time came and the lads had a well earned rest before setting up to win the game.

The second half was hard.  Aylesbury came forward with Wave of attacks but some brave keeping from Ben and dogged defending by Tarsaim and Jordan, Craig and Chetan kept them out.  On the break we looked dangerous and on one such break we won a corner.  It was taken quickly and Harry slotted in at the near post for 0-2.  Eventually though they did score, Chetan made a great clearance but the ball came back to him and he tried to head it wide of the goal  but it went in.  Unlucky on Chetan as he had no chance. 

The pressure was building on our  goal but we managed to see the game out.  An excellent performance today from Toddington.  The football in the first half was superb and it could have been 4 or 5 easy.  It's a shame we only have 3 games left as now we are starting to see some good performances.

Special words of praise for everyone who all played their part today.  Chetan again filling in at right back and Tarsaim who played in Central Defence again although he doesn't like it.  It was Craig's birthday and he turned up and played very, very well yet again.   Alex Kerr played in a strange position and again did superbly well.  Ethan was strong in midfield and did a good job.  Yet again Ben had a great game and made some excellent stops. A real team effort. 

Player of the week today was Jordan.  He kept calm when on the end of some rough treatment by Aylesbury.  But as we said Jordan who is smiling now!!!

Well Done Lads.

Wednesday 7th April 2010

Westoning V Toddington Rovers

Starting Line Up: 

Ben Rolf-Payne, Tarsaim Rayat, Jordan Bough, Craig Peck, Jack Perch, Ethan Ward, Harry Batcock, Chetan Rayat, Daniel Ward, Alex Kerr

Subs:   Errrrr.  None Again We've Only Got 10

Missing two players.  One forgot!  The boys met at Westoning to be told the news that again they would be at a numerical disadvantage.  In the warm up Ethan injured his knee and didn't look as if he could play. 

The boys took to the pitch with Chetan doing a job at right back for the team and Alex going up front on his own.  Toddington started very well peppering Westoning with wave after wave of attacks.  Ethan hobbled around in midfield doing a good, brave job.  Jack twisted his ankle on the terrible pitch and had to come off for treatment leaving us with just 9 players on.  At this point Westoning broke away and scored the opener. 

Jack managed to come back on and run his injury off.  Alex caused problems for Westoning with his pace and power up front, he had two great chances but the ball would not go in.  Another effort came back of the inside of the post to just miss Harry for a tap in.  Westoning won a free kick on the half way line for handball from Tarsaim when the ball hit his chest.  Westoning took the kick and scored.  Very rough on the 10 Toddington players.

Westoning were playing a rough physical game which barely stayed within the rules.  This was maybe the wrong way to play against us.  When the odds are stacked up against and they are being roughed up, this team will battle and mix it for their team mates.

Half Time came.  We were now shooting down the hill on the cabbage patch pitch.  From a series of corners Chetan headed over, jack headed wide and Craig just couldn't jump high enough to score.  Eventually Jack did head us back into the game 2-1.  From the restart Westoning broke forward and restored the 2 goal lead.  3-1

Most teams would fold now.  2-0 down and then 3-1 down and with 10 players.  But no.  Forward they came.  Westoning looked dangerous on the break though.  Daniel managed to flick a jordan pass through to Jack who was 1 on 1 with the keeper and he slotted home for 3-2.  At times we played some super football and westoning resorted to playing the men rather than the ball.  Tarsaim got a kick on the knee which we all heard from 40 yards away.  Again he got up to carry on.  Chetan got flattened and Harry was being roughed up.  In one incident Harry was badly taken down in the area and eventually the ref gave the required penalty kick.  With Lewis missing we turned to Tarsaim to take the kick, but his injured knee prevented him from taking it.  I looked at Ben in goal who showed his willingness to take the kick with just 30 seconds to play.  He trotted forward past a Westoning coach who had run onto the pitch to remonstrate with the ref.  With all this going on Ben slotted a brilliant side footed penalty into the bottom corner.  What a player, with such calm.  Tarsaim however showed how aware he is by staying back to act as a sweeper in case of a break away. 

3-3 was no less than the 10 players deserved.  What a performance.  Special words for two goal hero Jack, Ben who made some great saves and scored the spot kick.  Ethan who rushed back from the gadget show and played with an injury, Jordan who was a rock and AK who in another day could have had a hat-trick.  But Player of the Week had to be Tarsaim.  The boy was superb throughout.  His defending was brave and superb and he spotted some great passes forward.  He also cleared a westoning shot off the line with a header. 

Well done lads.  Again I am very, very proud. If we can add a few new players to this squad next year we can do well.  Boys spread the word at school we are looking for players!

Sunday 7th March 2010

Toddington Rovers V Sandy Colts

Starting Lineup

Ben Rolf Payne, Flint Stanbury, Tarsaim Rayat, Jordan Bough, Craig Peck, Jack Perch, Lewis McCarthy, Ethan Ward, Harry Batcock, Chetan Rayat

Subs:  None - We only had 10 players and Jack had to go at half time.

Today we played Sandy Colts.  They were a good side last year and finished near the top.  It was a shame that due to a number of reasons we only had 10 players available.  In addition JP had to leave at half time leaving us with just 9.   The 10 boys started very well and had a few decent half chances.  Chetan up front on his own was using his skil and trickery to good effect.  Sandy were restricted to long range efforts.  Eventually after some good pressure we managed to win a corner.  Jordan came up from the back and managed to get a good turn and shot away to put us in front.

Sandy then applied some pressure to us and equalised.  The extra man was beginning to show.  As if to rub salt in the Sandy Manager made some subs for fresh legs.   Still we attacked through Jack, Chetan and Harry when we had the chance.  One piece of skill from Chetan was amazing.  The ball came to him with his back to goal and he flicked it over his head and spun onto the ball.  Awesome.  He had a few good chances to score, but the ball wouldn't go in.  It was Chetan who created our next goal.  Some persistance in the box and the defender tripped him, a blatant penalty.  Lewis strode forward and calmly hammered the ball in to the goal.  2-1.

Half time came and JP had to leave.  It had been a good performance by him and we were going to miss him.  The remaining 9 players were upbeat and ready to win the game. 

The second half was a different story.  As you would expect it was nearly all Sandy.  Still Harry, Chetan and Ethan looked to break away and a few times Chetan looked to be in on goal only for him to be pushed aside by a massive defender.  From one attack we won a corner which Lewis delivered to the far post for an unmarked Harry who just couldn't get his head to the ball.  The Sandy Boys, however were falling for our offside trap which we played well.  Ben had to make some excellent saves as he continued his impressive form.  He always looked very calm and his handling and kicking was superb.

However the 2 extra men did show and we couldn't quite hold on for the win.  Sandy managed to nick the equaliser with 3 minutes to go.  Just as the ref blew however we looked to launch one final attack.

Today was impressive.  A busy Glebe today ment that many people saw this performance and commented on it.   We were all very proud of all of you today.  However special praise for Craig Peck who continues to improve with every week, Tarsaim who again played out of position, Jordan who was him impressive best and a goalscorer, Ben with some great saves, Ethan who played through the pain barrier with an ankle injury, Lewis with teh abaility to break up play and deliver a great ball, Flint who ran himself into the ground and was his tenacious best, Harry who could have scored the third from a corner and Jack Perch who was excellent in the first half - Oh is that everyone?  Nope.

Man of the Match was Chetan.  Although he is playing a year up he was superb today.  He chased everything and was unlucky not to score a couple of goals.  He was being battered around by some older, bigger and more experienced players but he continued to apply himself.   Congratulations to you all

To say I am proud is an understatement.  Congrautulations to you all! 

Sunday 7th February 2010

Toddington Rovers V Beecroft

Starting Lineup:

Ben, Craig, Tarsaim, Jordan, Flint, Harry, Alex, Daniel, Jack, Chetan
Sub:  Ethan

The last time we played Beecroft we lost 5-0 and we played the worst we ever have.  The lads were reminded of that day this morning and challenged to rectify it.

The game started well and Beecroft forced a good save from Ben.  This seemed to spark the boys into life and we started to play some good football.  With Tarsaim back in midfield we had AK back in defence.  Tarsaim, Chetan and Jack were looking to get in behind Beecroft and they were getting some joy.  From a Tarsaim cross Harry arrived at the back post to slip the ball into the net.  The goal was coming as the pressure was building with some good football. 

Harry then added to his goal tally with a superb flick of the ball over the keeper's head a great lobbed finish.  2-0 and worth every bit.  Ethan came on for Flint and Chetan went back to right back.  Chetan did a great job here and continued to raid down the right wing and saw plenty of the ball. 

Daniel was doing a good job where ever he played and Ethan was putting himself about a bit and getting very involved in the game.  Beecroft had the odd attack which were always dealt with by Alex or Jordan and safe hands Ben.

Half time arrived and the lads came around with broad smiles.  The message was to go back out and enjoy the second half.  Daniel came off for a rest and Flint joined the action again.

Beecroft had us worried by grabbing one back.  A long punt put their striker in on Ben who dived at his feet to make a great save but the ball fell to another player who slotted it home.  However AK was running flat out to try and sweep the ball off the line and collided with the post.  Unlucky Ben and AK. 

The Toddington Boys were not going to crumble though.  A good bit of play and Jack was in to make it 3-1 to restore our 2 goal advantage.  A huge goal kick from Ben put Tarsaim through and he made it 4-1.  A great assist from the goal keeper a massive kick up the incline of the glebe! A great celebration where some of the lads dived on the floor. 

Ethan then won a free kick just outside the edge of the box in "Lewis Territory" and sure enough he curled a superb free kick into the top corner for 5-1.  More chances came and went and we couldn't add to the 5 we scored.

This was the best we have played all season.  It lifts us up 3 places off the bottom of the table with games in hand.  We can seriously build on this now.

Player of the week?  Well it had to be a player who played well today and did well at training too.  Chetan, Tarsaim, Craig, Ethan, Harry and AK were all in the running.  However Jack won it for a good training session on Wednesday and also a good match today.

It was great to see the smiling faces at the final whistle.  Lets remember this feeling and do it again and again.......

Sunday 24th January 2010

Leighton Utd V Toddington Rovers

Starting Line Up:
Ben, Craig, Tarsaim, Jordan, Flint, Harry, Ethan, Daniel, Jack, Chetan
Sub:  Aidan

It's been a long time since the lads took to the field and they were up for it this morning.  Toddington Started the game really well and put Leighton under a lot of pressure. 

Chetan went close with a poked effort, Jack tried a lobbed shot from outside the area and Daniel made some purposeful runs.  Rovers continued the pressure and we won some corners but the ball would not go in.  Leighton did have a few chances that Ben dealt with no problem.  Eventually we won yet another corner and Lewis flighted the ball to the near post for Craig to tap it in for his first ever goal.

Craig was having a great game.  One attack by Leighton by their sneaky left winger resulted in a good save from Ben but the ball fell to a UTD striker and he looked certain to score until Craig threw himself in the way to block the shot.  Superb defending.

Aidan came on

Leighton did equalise through the tricky left winger "Foldsie" a super cross shot into the top of the Net.  Ben had no chance.  Rovers weren't finished yet though.  A superb through ball from Tarsaim released Jack who jinked past the left back and scored a super goal.

Half Time came.  The lads were all full of their performance and had really enjoyed the first half.  It was great to see them having enjoyed themselves.

Ethan started the second half.  The second half was a different story.  Leighton had fresh legs and put us under lots of pressure.  Jordan gave away a penalty and Foldsie for Leighton took it but the excellent Ben got down to push the effort around the post.  Lot's of High Fives.

Rovers looked dangerous on the break with Daniel running himself into the ground and Jack full of running as ever.  However the pressure was growing and eventually Leighton scored the equaliser shortly followed by another to put them 3-2 in front.   The Toddington lads had run out of legs.  There was a lack of fitness and we just couldn't compete as we had in the first half.  However with one last final effor Daniel made a superb run  into the area and pulled the ball back but neither Chetan or Ethan could make contact.  Daniel came off at this point completely exhausted - well done Dan a superb first game. 

The final action of the game was a corner for Rovers.  Lewis flighted it in but it was cleared to Tarsaim who struck a vicious shot that narrowly missed the far post and struck the wing mirror of a parked car.

A great game of football that we were unlucky to lose.  I think our lack of fitness made us pay today.  I think we need to work on increasing our stamina.

Player of the Week.  Well it could have been any of the following.  Craig Peck - a great performance.  Good goal and that block was top class.  Daniel - a good first game, full of powerful running.  Jack Perch - superb goal and covered every part of the pitch.  However nobody could take the acolade away from Ben.  Superb display.  Great penalty save and numerous other excellent stops.  In fact a random man took the time to come over and congratulate him on a great display! 


Sunday 15th November 2009

Toddington Rovers V Westoning

Starting LineUp

Ben Rolf Payne, Craig Peck, Jordan Bough, Tarsaim Rayat, Flint Stanbury, Lewis McCarthy, Ethan Ward, Aidan Gregory, Jack Perch, Harry Batcock, Chetan Rayat

Sub:  Daniel Cocking

With the squad down to the bare bones now after yet more departures from the team, this could be one of the last matches for this team.  11 Players in the squad with two lads going on extended holidays will leave us with just 10 available players until after Christmas now.  Unless we can recruit players we are going to be in real trouble.

Today we were against a good Westoning side who have had some excellent results in recent weeks. 

Toddington started really well with Tarsaim and Jordan mopping up attacks with ease.  Jack Perch had moved to the right wing and was having a storming game and Harry was over on the left also having a great game.  Our first chance fell to Aidan after some good work by Chetan.  Jack had a looping shot just over the bar.  Toddington were bossing the game and looked the more likely to score.

However just our luck -  a silly defensive mistake gifted Westoning an opening goal.  It was against the run of play.  The ref gave a harsh freekick for handball and the Westoning number 4 curled a sweet free kick only for Birthday Boy Ben to dive and get fingetips to the ball.  Another superb save followed shortly after.  The difference was though, that Westoning seemed to get a shot on target with every attack.  Rovers had far more of the ball.

One such attack produced some great football from Aidan and Harry with the H man muscling his way into the box and poking his first goal of the season.  It was no more than our play deserved. 

At half time the lads were congratulated on their perfromance and Chetan came up with the Quote of the day.  "If you want it, go and get it!" - such wise words from the young man! 

Toddington carried on where we left off in the first half.  Flint and Aidan had swapped giving Flint a run up front.  Aidan did a sterling job at right back.  Westoning were restricted to long range efforts and we created some good chances.  The game was getting a bit niggly and there were some strong, battling performances today from players who perhaps don't always play that way.  Ethan was using his boxing strength to muscle players out of the ball, Chetan was a monster in the tackle and Harry was creating chance after chance. 

Westoning were mixing it too and clattered Flint, who hit his head and had to be taken off.  From the resulting free kick Ethan managed to get on the end and hammer the ball into the net. 2-1 to us.  No less than we deserved.

Some of our lads were running out of steam towards the end and Westoning had a few chances.  I could have done with some fresh legs to put on, but the bench was empty!

With the ref looking at his watch to blow the final whistle Westoning pumped the ball from almost the half way line goal wards and it managed to squirm it's way into the net.  From the centre the ref blew straight away.  Gutted.

The lads were all upset.  Especially Birthday Boy Ben.  But football is a team game.  If one of our midfielders had got to the player and put a challenge in he wouldn't have been able to shoot.   Ben also saved us with those world class saves earlier in the match.

Man of the Match was a tough call today.  The lads all played their part.  Special words for Ethan - Hopefully this performance will bring with it more similar ones.  The boxing is definately helping the fitness and strength.  Chetan another great game.  The confidence is growing and the goal will come soon.  Jack Perch was outstanding.  Amzingly only one goal this season and that a header.  Sooner or later there is gonna be a hat full of Perch wonder strikes bursting the back of the net.  Tarsaim played at the back again and did a great job for us.  We miss him in midfield and he doesn't like playing there so thanks and well done Mr T.

Man of the Match though this week went to Harry "H Man" Batcock.  A tremendous performance.  Steel, hunger, passion and attitude.  Simply awesome.  The left wing really suits Harry.  He can get up there and grab a goal and also tuck in and give us some steel in midfield.  This is something that perhaps we had been missing.

Special mention for Daniel.  Dan has decided to quit playing football.   I would like to thank him for his efforts for the team.  Daniel is a lovely boy to have around and I for one will miss him!

We will only have 10 players now until after Christmas, unless we can get somebody signed on very quickly.  If anybody gets ill of picks up an injury we could be playing with 9 or less!  So boys do your best and try and recruit players. 

Days like today make all the effort into coaching you worth while.  I don't want this team to fold........

Sunday 11th October 2009

Toddington Rovers v AFC Kempston

Starting Lineup:

Ben Rolf Payne, Flint Stanbury, Jordan Bough, Tarsaim Rayat, Craig Peck (C), Jack Perch, Chetan Rayat, Harry Batcock, Lewis McCarthy, Oliver Tompkins, Chris Harvey

Subs: Aidan Gregory, Ethan Ward, Daniel Cocking

A tricky game this morning against a team who were in Division 3 last year and are a good physical side.  Missing a regular player from the heart of the defence the lads understood that they would have to work a little bit harder.  For the first quarter of the match we matched Kempston, creating a few half chances and restricting them to scraps. 

The back four worked exceptionally well with Jordan stepping up to the plate and shouting instructions to his defence.  Kempston were caught off side 2 or 3 times by the well drilled line.  Chris and Olly combined well for Chris to shoot just wide of the post.

Kempston scored with a long low shot into the bottom corner, the ball just sneaked under Ben's body, I think he was unsighted by the group of players the ball travelled through.  Toddington heads didn't go down though and we continued to compete. 

We had a few corners and our new corner routine did create heading chances.  A bit more work and we will nick goals from that!

On came the subs Ethan and Aidan for Flint and Harry.  The next goal fell to Kempston - a long range shot caught Ben off guard and the ball managed to squeeze it's way into the net.

Half time came and the lads had lost the half to one sloppy goal and one that was lucky.  They had nothing to be down about as they had competed really well and were unlucky to be behind.

We started the second half with Daniel coming on for Ethan.  This half we were playing up the slope and into the wind but the lads played their best football of the season.  Chetan and Jack were exceptional at times with little one touch moves.  Craig Peck was solid and powerfull in the tackle, Olly was a danger down the right and Chris was a willing runner up front on his own, we just needed a chance. 

The chance came through some good play by Lewis McCarthy and Olly.  The ball fell to the outstanding Jack Perch who drew the keeper out and headed the bouncing ball over his head for 1-2.  The lads knew they were back in it.  We pushed and put Kempston under pressure.  Oliver then produced a wonderful piece of skill down the right and found space for a shot accross the keeper to level teh scores at 2-2.  Only 5 minutes left.  The superb Chetan came off.

We continued to press and after a foul on Jack we won a free kick just outside the area to the left of the D.  Lewis McCArthy territory!  Everyone expected the top right corner, but he went for a gap at the bottom left.  The ball was cleared away and after a scramble hoofed down field.  The ball fell to a Kempston foot and from 20 yards out he volleyd it into the top corner to nick the match 2-3. 

The toddington lads didn't deserve to lose today.  An exceptional performance.  Special words for Harry Batcock.  Harry was in A&E having his head stitched at 9pm last night, yet still he was a willing player and was competeing for headers.  Well done Harry - exceptionally brave.  Chetan Rayat - by far his best performance.  Remeber Chetan is playing a year up and he has never played for a team before.  Today we saw some glimpses of what you show in training week in week out.  Jack Perch - superb goal great passing and tough in the tackle.  Jordan Bough - Gave his all for the majority of the match.  Superb effort and what I liked best of all was his mouth at his defenders, shouting encourangement and instructions.  Tarsaim Rayat - Excellent in defence.  Superb pace, great tackling.  Didn't like playing there but did a superb job for his team, which is what our team is all about.

I am so proud of the boys today, really I am.  They gave a little extra and can be disspointed to lose to a freak effort with teh last kick of the match.  Lets all work hard in training and continue this next week.

Player of the week is Jack Perch.  Did very well at training on Wednesday in the heavy rain and today was superb.  Jack was pushed close by Craig Peck who continues his ever improving form, Tarsaim and Jordan.

Well Done Lads.

Sunday 27th September 2009

Toddington Rovers V Houghton Youth

Starting Lineup:

BRP, FS, TR, AK, CH, JP, JB, LMC, HB, OT, CP

Subs:  DC, EW, AG, CR

As we are writing off last weeks county cup result this was our first game of the season.  The game started badly for Toddington with some scrappy play and terrible retention of the football.  We did have some joy down the right with Olly finding space.  One such move involved a smart slide rule pass from Harry to Olly who got to the by-line and pulled back for Chris to score.  Only for the linesman to put his flag up for offside some 30 seconds after the goal.  The subs came on half way through the half. 

An almost identical move created our first goal.  Olly to the line and pull back for Chris 1-0.  Houghton equalised almost straightaway 1-1.  Chris then gave us the lead again with a Fernando Torres (against Hull) effort.  Finding space and stroking the ball into the far corner with his left foot.  2-1

Houghton then equalised again for 2-2 at half time.  The second half was a tighter affair.  Toddington created a few chances but the ball wouldn't go it.  Houghton did look dangerous on the break too.  The hard ground also proved a problem as our defenders kept misreading the bounce of the ball. 

After some pressure and a couple of corners Jordan came up from the back to give us the lead.  The corner tajen by Lewis was headed out to the edge of the area and Jordan powered the ball into the top corner.  Houghton then had a second breath and had chance after chance.  One chance hit the crossbar came out and was swiped at several times by Houghton until Ben managed to jump on teh ball. 

From another corner delivered by Lewis the Houghton keeper managed to get a hand to the ball and diverted it into his own net.  It didn't matter as had he not touched it Craig's head was there to score anyway.  Chris came off for Chetan and Flint and Craig had a rest with Harry and Aidan going to right and left back.  Ethan filled the midfield spot. 

Houghton then scored a spectacular effort to make it 4-3 and a nervy finish.  One of the Houghton lads was then booked for foul and abusive language.  Toddington managed to defend the slim lead and the final whistle blew.

Although we won today, it wasn't a great performance.  We can certainly play a whole lot better than this.  If the lads think back to last year and some of the football we played we have some way to go to get back to that level.

Player of the week this week was Craig Peck.  Trained well in training on Wednesday and put in a solid performance in the match.  Think we need to make better use of Craigs monster throw in's. 

20 September 2009

St Josephs V Toddington Rovers

Starting Lineup:

BRP, FS, TR, AK, CH, JP, JB, EW, HB, OT, CP

First game of the season away in teh county cup to one of the best teams in teh county.  Never going to be easy.  Sure enough St Jo's scored inside the first minute and that set the tone for the match.

Can't fault the Toddington Boys for their effort though.  They battled throughout the game, but were well beaten by a very, very good side.  Some good performances today.  Alex did well as ever with some crucning tackles and it was also good to see Tarsaim back to somewhere near his best.

Final Score 12-0

Not to worry lads.  A few of their players will end up playing football at a very high level I can tell you that now.  Seriously good.  It's not been a nice start to the season, but next week we can look forward to playing a good ol' league match against somebody of a near equal level.