January 2010 Reports

Sunday 31st January 2010

Trenham Drive, Warlingham

Banter Central FC 7 - 3 Carlton United
Adkins, Wommy (4), Brownie, Hughes

Team: Wuker, Boma (Brownie, 65 mins), Vidic (J-Dot, 75 mins), Tino, Cling; Ridders, Hughes, Wilkes, Baird; Adkins, Wommy

Sven Goran Eriksson used to go on about it being a game of two halves, football. I’m pretty sure he didn’t make that saying up himself and that it’s been churned out by all and sundry since Jesus was around, but it’s still a very astute observation. Well done him. In the case of this game, it was two clean sheets at half time followed by ten goals in the second half. In fact, you could be forgiven for believing with 10 minutes or so gone in the second half that a single goal would decide the contest. Not so.

The game began in favour of the home side, in truth because of a quick start rather than favourable home advantage as was being rather humorously suggested. Baird got himself a lot of the action down the left hand side, won Banter a corner inside 30 seconds and was able to deliver plenty into the box throughout the first half. Either that or get fouled. The solid pitch made it difficult for players to keep their footing – Tino had a couple of slips, Cling had to change his boots and Carlton’s centre-forward reminded everyone for most of the first half that if he could stay upright that he’d have had a hattrick by now. We all believed him.

Carlton asked plenty of questions going forward and had a spell where they were seeing plenty of the ball inside Banter’s half, winning plenty of throw-ins to get the ball into the box and also a few corners, too. One header that went goal bound from a corner was cleared off the line by Ridders and got all of the away side excited because it struck the talented one on the shoulder before going out for a corner. Despite the ball mark to prove it as well, it didn’t stop a lot many an accusation and complaint to the referee.

There seemed to be more conspiracy theories than our man Rob Stewart would know what to do with. One such favourite was that the Trenham Drive groundsman was in on everything and he was the reason the referee would not give any decisions in favour of the away side. That’s the referee who happens to be part of the Municipal League committee. Interesting, that one.

Banter’s best chance of the half came when Tino’s long ball was sent into the path of Wommy, who raced on through, out-pacing his marker and lobbing the goalkeeper he saw his shot just clear the crossbar. Carlton had another penalty claim turned well down when Boma tussled with Carlton’s #10, only for the appeals to be turned away as neither touched the ball. The appeals saw the #10 booked.

Banter approached the second half in a professional, positive and as mentally strong attitude as I can remember. The start didn’t go well and the all white’s had to weather a bit of a storm with free kicks and balls into the box coming in aplenty, Wuker dealing with it well to ease pressure. The breakthrough came though when Ridders set Wommy free down the right hand side, he took the ball into the area and cut back for his strike partner, Adkins, who placed the ball into the far corner to make it 1-0.

The lead was doubled within a couple of minutes, too. A free kick wide right was taken quickly between Ridders and Hughes, Adkins was sent on his way into the area and scorer turned provider as he found Wommy, for him to make it 2-0 and score his 30th Banter Central goal. If Banter’s #11 was making sure he was clinical for his 30th, he would make sure he added to his eye catching and memorable collection of strikes later on.
Problems began to arise during the comfortable lead though and Banter’s possession football was disrupted firstly when Boma went down with a calf problem. Initially the home side continued with ten men but eventually had to make the substitution, with Brownie coming on up front, Adkins and Wilkes dropping back as a result.

Carlton took their chance soon after. A long shot was spilled by Wuker to the #10, who beat Tino to the ball to bundle in and pull a goal back. It was a scare, but Banter soon pulled their socks up and got another goal when Ridders’ took a short corner into Brownie, who gave the ball back immediately for Rids to send in a cross towards the penalty spot into Wommy; who with his back to goal, leapt and caught the ball perfectly with a bicycle kick to smash the ball right footed into the far corner. He couldn’t believe what he’d done. But what he had done was make the scores 3-1.

That should have been it. But with Vidic taking an – albeit accidental – elbow to the face and his nose pissing out with blood every 10 seconds, he too initially went off as the pack was reshuffled once more. He returned to find Banter defending a free-kick, which from wide left replayed a goal that seems to have gone in a thousand times against Banter in 09/10, swung high, long and to the back stick it hit both the crossbar and post to nestle into the net. 3-2 and the game was back on.

Vidic was substituted as J-Dot came on and played an unfamiliar position at centre-back. He partnered Tino and did a decent enough job considering the chaos. Banter had chances for more goals, a wonderful move between Hughes, Cling and Baird saw the latter cross perfectly for Brownie, who headed just over. But the substitute did get on the score sheet as Banter opened up the two goal margin again. Another Baird run down the left was crossed in and half volleyed into the far right corner of the net from just inside the area by Brownie to make it 4-2. A lovely finish and another lovely move.

Over yet? It should have been, it wasn’t. Adkins conceded possession in midfield and having beaten J-Dot for pace, Carlton found themselves 3 on 2 with Tino committed and Cling unable to get back in time as a pass for the #10 was weighted well and finished even better into the far right hand corner. At 4-3, it’s regrettable to say that the game could’ve gone anywhere for anyone. It nearly saw an equaliser, too. Another long range effort, high into the goal saw Wuker make a lovely reaction save and tip the ball just over the bar to keep the score in Banter’s favour.

It was pivotal. Having cleared their lines and got forward, Banter pressed Carlton everytime they had the ball deep. This time the away side took a short goal kick and with Wommy and Brownie in the mood and chasing down everything, the ball was given away, fed into Brown on the left who spun and crossed for Hughes to strike firmly into the top right corner, get his second goal of the season and give Banter a 5-3 lead. It finally knocked the stuffing out of the away side as Banter kept grinding and kept working for more opportunities.

Having already played his part in others’ goals as well as his own, Wommy completed his hattrick when a pass through from Adkins was struck beautifully on the half volley from 25 yards to thunder into the roof of the net, giving the goalkeeper no chance. He finished the game by scoring a forth for the match – the second time he’s done it this season – when a long ball forward from J-Dot was controlled, he advanced forward and on hearing his skipper once again give him instruction to do so, he had another go from a similar range and peppered his shot beyond the goalkeeper at a rate that Roberto Carlos would’ve been proud of.

7-3 was the final score in a game that had a second half as memorable as any.

Some time before the new year, I wrote a blog about stepping up in 2010, with so many games coming up. Big games, too. This was an important win and a real step in the right direction towards that, with Maple Tree right around the corner. They’ve lost once, we’ve lost once. With 9 games to go after that Maple Tree encounter, there’s still so much to play for. But it’d be one hell of a step and message to send out if we got a result in that game.
The mental attitude and determination in this match was, as said previously, as good as I’ve seen for Banter. We came together at the right time and on conceding, it only made us more hungry to rectify it. We battled hard, we worked as a unit and we deserved to win the game because of it. Some of our football was superb and as was discussed beforehand, we gambled and took chances – even one’s that didn’t look on; we went for it and tried our luck. It’s been a decent start, let’s keep the run going and make sure these league results aren’t a temporary glitch or blip that went in our favour.

Comments and things…

Wuker – Some important saves and claims first half followed on from the previous week’s safe and sound second half, which was great. Time those one v one challenges ensuring it’s body first and not feet and you’re golden.

Boma – As good for the man of the match award as anyone at the point of him leaving the game. A really solid display, deserved much more than to watch the last 25 or so minutes. But then you’re probably pleased about that.

Vidic – Did you not pack the nose plugs? Don’t be so soft next time. Solid couple of games this year, keep it up and make sure the communication is at a premium, too. We can never have too much being shouted from the back, or anywhere.

Tino – The quick mistake against Madras was just there to keep it interesting so you’d win the ball straight back, I know it. Great to have the Irishman back, offering calm and confidence to all those around you. Always brilliant to have someone willing to go and attack the ball in the air, too. Go up for more corners though, you’re too much of a threat to not. Think positive: sink the header into the net and you can walk back into your half, celebrating.

Cling – Perhaps the best tackle the skipper’s ever made, near the end of the game, and it was blown up for a foul. Says it all.

Ridders – A solid first half and a bit of a quiet opening to the second half was soon sorted out with some excellent link-up play to help get Banter in amongst the goals. Industrious and creative as always. Your crossing is deadly, as are your quick feet which I don’t think you utilise enough by skinning full-backs, as everyone knows you can. I also recommend more communication with your own full-back and playing closer to him a bit more.

Hughes – I think he might slowly be turning into our most underrated player. Sad, but I don’t care much. The past couple of matches are, in my opinion, as good as Hughes’ been for Banter. Hard work, dominant in the air and running the game from the middle at all times, it’s great to watch and great when as a teammate you’re in space and want the ball, too. Nice to see you on the scoresheet with a good finish as well.

Wilkes – A very good couple of week’s for Hog Roast as well. No questioning your versatility, but good to see you put in a shift in your more favoured position as well. If you had the bottle to drive forward and beat players and take more shots like I’ve seen you do, you could have even more assists and perhaps more than zero goals.

Baird – In a word, devastating. You claim you enjoy playing as a full-back and you’re a good one too, but you’re wasted there. Playing behind you in support is easy when defending and attacking, it’s a pleasure. Keep gambling, keep taking on your opponent and keep providing because we miss it when you don’t or are unavailable. Tell us your kit washing secrets, too.

Adkins – Three goals from four league games, ay? Greedy. Mixed it up wonderfully well when playing up front and the scorer of important goals got another in this game. I think you or Hughes could drop deeper when you play as a pair in midfield, though. Perhaps we’ll discuss this matter on the plane?

Wommy – I thought you had a decent game against Madras without finding much luck where “end product” goes, but this was an excellent performance. The work rate was top notch and in two of your goals we saw something totally different and that was having a go with barely a moment’s hesitation from distance. You, on the last shoulder: uncatchable and unplayable.

Brownie – Everyone’s been a sub and it’s been refreshing when these subs have looked ready and eager when called upon, which is what we saw in this game from Brownatov. Excellent goal and an assist (did he mention it?) which was as much about a good pass as it was persevering and chasing down a lost cause. More of both to come I hope.

J-Dot – It’s been a stop-start season, not least due to his unavailability on a few occasions. As said, always great to have your subs come in and do the business and on plenty of occasions Jonny has done that. Versatility is such a useful thing to have and I think it was useful to have in this game from Jon as well. Chances will come from all areas so keep doing what you’re doing, it’s great.

Fintan – Be ready you massive slug. Who has soft hair.

Jewish – Be ready you massive slug. Who has curly hair. And available more! This Doc-Jewish not being seen at the same time thing is becoming a bit scary.

And just because we joked about it, here are the players who played in each position, even if only for a couple of minutes:

Goalkeeper – Wuker
Left-back – Cling, Wilkes, Baird
Centre-back – Tino, Vidic, Cling, J-Dot
Right-back – Boma, Wilkes
Left-midfield – Baird, Ridders, Brownie
Centre-midfield – Hughes, Wilkes, Adkins
Right-midfield – Ridders, Baird
Striker – Wommy, Adkins, Brownie

Total = 21. Must be a record.