January 2009 Match Reports

Sunday 18th January 2009

League, Duppas Hill 1

Banter Central FC 3 - 2 Sovereign
J.Stewart, Wommy (2)

Team: Jewish; Bennett, Boma, Tino, Pasty; L.Dancer, Gillardino; Fintan, J.Stewart, Wommy, Cling

A win that was overdue and one that on the day, Banter deserved to take 3 points from. A rather weird game for the second week running, if only for the amount of cards being shown, although it is refreshing to see a referee not afraid to deal with individuals in certain situations. Banter began the game at a quick pace, attacking Sovereign in numbers and really putting the yellows on the backfoot. Disappointingly, it was still Sovereign who managed to score first, the left winger easily took the ball down his side and sent a cross in which wasn't dealt with, leaving a tap-in to make it 1-0. But Banter responded quickly, Cling slid debutant Jon Stewart through on goal, his finish was tame, but the old boy was just getting warmed up. After some good play with plenty of purpose, Banter got a deserved equaliser when Cling turned inside to find Rod Fintan, who played Wommy through on goal, his finish was top draw - a lovely chip over the scrambling goalkeeper - but it bounced down off the crossbar, which 'J dot Stewart' latched onto fastest, controlled and finished into the corner of the net. Sovereign again battled back, Deano was equal to most of the crosses thrown in his direction, but Sovereign took the lead once more when some sloppy play then saw Boma easily beaten down his right, the ball went past Jewish for Legend Dancer to attack first before the Sovereign forward to stop a certain goal, but poked into his own net. 2-1. Wommy was causing all kinds of problems up front, consistently being pulled down and hassled as he held the ball up well, going the other way it was Pasty who was getting the most grief with the Sovereign right-winger pushing on aplenty, much to his fans excitement. Banter got back into the game again when Gillardino's precise ball over the top was latched onto by Wommy, who controlled well, went in on goal and finished calmly into the bottom corner to level things at 2-2. Soon after it was Wommy involved again, sent through on goal once more he had his shirt pulled, was tugged back and eventually brought down on the edge of the area. Both teams agreed it was a sending off offence on the part of the defender, the debate being whether "in Sunday League football it's a sending off". It was here and Sovereign saw themselves down to 10 men before half time. Tino's resulting free-kick was blocked and the scores were level at the interval.

The second half saw Sovereign come out and work far harder than Banter, which allowed them to hold the ball better, create chances more easily and for a long spell, nulify what the blues were throwing forward. It wasn't difficult to see how they were succeeding, when the second half began, they just wanted it more. But for Jewish in the Banter goal, they might have scored a couple too. Sovereign appeared to become frustrated, one booking for dissent turned to red when Boma clattered through his marker - getting a yellow card himself - and was held by the throat by said offender. He went and Sovereign were now down to 9 men. With this, they left very few back in an attempt to find a 3rd goal and Banter began to open the game up a bit more. It wasn't until after this that Wommy was played through on goal again, Tino's long goal kick was twice headed on by Sovereign players, which saw Banter's top scorer take the ball on and again finish in the predatory way we've become so used to seeing. 3-2 Banter. Sovereign made changes and continued to press, having one chance which flew inches past the diving Jew and thankfully past the post too, another chance saw Deano come off his line to block the ball out for a corner with a wonderful stop. Sending off #3 came when J.Stewart and a Sovereign player challenged for the ball, the resulting free-kick provoked anger and saw Jon have the ball thrown in his face. Sovereign were now reduced to 8 men as Banter saw the game out to win 3-2.

The ratings...

Jewish - 9 - Almost unstoppable. He made himself big for one-on-one's and wasn't beaten, he claimed numerous crosses and made a couple of saves that kept Banter in the game at 2-2. His kicking was suspect once or twice, but there was no faulting his throwing out quickly from his arms. Brilliant.

Bennett - 9 - Having not played a game of football in 12 months, this was an excellent return. A cynic could argue that the Sovereign winger had an off day down his side, but in reality he dealt with him all morning and nulified the threat. Good on the ball, good in the air, had a very good game and hopefully will be here to do that job for a while yet. Sleep easy Doc, Richie has taken back his oldest player to play for Banter title.

Boma - 7 - Had a difficult job marking a very lively - in more ways than one - Sovereign centre-forward. Remained solid and but for one or two tackles where he dived in cheaply, was good throughout. Booked.

Tino - 9 - First things first, it's a good thing that he made it to the game - that should be applauded. His rock solid, no nonsense attitude to defending was exactly what was needed and it's easy to take it for granted that he does this with such consistency.

Pasty - 7 - Probably had the toughest task out of everyone given the speed and skill of his marker. But he stood his ground, kept his focus and battled hard throughout. That no mistakes or goals came from down his side says a lot.

L.Dancer - 8 - Could do nothing about Sovereign's 2nd and played with discipline throughout. He varied up his passing with short and simple and long balls to catch the defence off guard. Got stuck in too which is always good to see.

Gillardino - 9 - He got compared to Michael Carrick after the game. Even without the look on his face after it, he was obviously wetting himself at the thought of that. Carrick plays simple, effective football, ensuring the team is doing their job around him whilst he keeps playing ticking over. Jonny did that wonderfully today.

Fintan - 8 - Battled hard and did his fair share of working back, whilst offering himself up to go forward and start attacks. Knocked over a few lovely passes, the best of which lead to his brother's goal via Wommy.

J.Stewart - 8 - Brilliant. Exactly what this team needed, particularly up top. The most puzzling thing is why hasn't he played before now? There's no better way to mark your debut than with a goal and he got that, along with good hold-up play and energetic running off the ball. He appeared to be blowing a bit in the 2nd half, but that'll be sorted within time.

Wommy - 9 - Man of the match. He's a one-in-one player in that he needs one chance to score. His finishing was what was needed, his pace and aggression saw him either get himself into great positions or play others in. Good to have him looking 100% again.

Cling - 8 - Like Rod, worked back and did his load of the running, whilst trying to link midfield to attack. Slid a couple of neat passes through to get attacks started and kept possession of the ball with regularity. 3 corners were not hit with the usual conviction, the new ball is being blamed... No? Ok, an off day there then.

Great win lads and proof of what can happen with some fighting spirit. J dot and Bennett offered something different and something fresh to the team, whilst everyone else played with a certain confidence and conviction to see the game off. Let's hope this can be the first of a few wins strung together now.

Sunday 11th January 2009
League, Ashburton Playing Fields

Carlton United 4 - 0 Banter Central FC
  Wuker s/o

Team: Wuker; Boma, Doc, Bushy; Jewish (L.Dancer, 70 mins), Fintan, Gillardino, Adkins, Cling; Wommy, Euro

The most bizarre game of football ever? Why do I get the feeling not everyone in a green shirt would agree? Sadly, the few individuals that are the cancer of Sunday league football still think best to go from game to game giving abuse and throwing punches. News that a football broke out are believed to also be true.

Banter began the game with 10 men due to Euro assuming the game to be called off and therefore arriving late. Indeed, the ground was so firm that it probably should have been called off. Given no studs were going into the turf, it was difficult not to slip over and given how solid the pitch was, it's a wonder how someone wasn't hurt (from natural causes of course, more on Slapper-Gate a little late). But a cancellation would see at least one person end up £30 short by the end of the morning, so on the game went. Banter started the brighter, flying out of the blocks with some quick, incisive passing to cut into Carlton early on. Some throw-ins and the odd corner came to nothing and 15 minutes in, Euro joined the action to take his place up front with Wommy. Carlton had a couple of half chances, some crosses into the box were allowed to go in with relative ease, but nothing that troubled Wuker on the whole. A free kick 25 yards out made it in behind the Banter wall and despite 3 clear offsides, the chance went wide as Banter were let off. Euro had Banter's best chance of the half when he shot against the inside of the post, Wommy went close when Cling's corner was swung in for him to power a header at goal, which was tipped away well by the Carlton goalkeeper. Banter continued to press and maintained possession particularly well, but were forced to hit long range efforts rather than create any real clear-cut chances. 0-0 at the break.

Despite a positive and hard-working first half, Banter came out for the second period much the slower and Carlton began to find themselves finding openings and gaps in the midfield and defence to exploit. There was a goal-mouth scramble in the penalty area which saw one header hit the bar, another shot tipped onto the upright again by Wuker, until eventually enough blue shirts got in the way to eventually clear. A long range shot from Cling was seemingly dealt with comfortably until it was dropped on the line and finally regathered, Euro and Wommy collected the ball well throughout, but either lacked the final pass or found it tough to manouevre on the difficult pitch. A rather bizarre 5 minutes saw Wuker throw the ball to Carlton more than once and eventually, after a succession of corners, the home side grabbed the lead. A cross came in which was met by the Carlton skipper to head in just yards in front of Wuker to make it 1-0. Banter needed a good response but simply didn't find one, a second goal followed soon after when a throughball saw the forward one-on-one with Wuker, who went in feet first, missed everything and was left for dead when the ball was passed beyond him and into the net. Legend Dancer was introduced just after Carlton took the 2-0 lead, but the biggest drama of the morning was still to come. A midfield tussle saw Adkins and Carlton's number 8 battling for the ball, when the Carlton player went down to slide it away, Adkins stumbled and in standing on his opponent, caught the lad clean and went over himself. Despite the big man's instant reaction to apologise - since he'd clearly left a stud on him - every player in green rushed over for a fight and the words "cut", "stab" and "knife" were bandied around willy nilly. One punch was thrown at Adkins, another at Wuker - which was spotted by the referee and said player was dismissed, all the while a Carlton substitute intervened and was "sent off" for violent conduct as well. Adkins eventually got his apology in and the game continued. Soon after, another one-on-one situation saw Wuker come flying out, appear to play the ball but in the eyes of the referee, concede a penalty. Clearly not content with one red card, perhaps wishing to even up the numbers, perhaps punishing the Banter goalkeeper for his earlier involvement in the long argument with the already dismissed Carlton player, Wuker was also sent off. Boma went in goal and his first job was to pick the ball out of the net. Carlton added a 4th when a long shot caught Boma by surprise and lobbed him to add to the mornings humilation. 4-0 final score.

The ratings...

Wuker - 1 - Not a good day at the office. Untroubled first half, second half: apalling. There were distribution problems, one throw-out to Boma (having been told to roll it out when there's someone in space) was unbelievably dangerous and also heard the line: "There you go then" sarcastically accompanying it, was done merely to prove some sort of point and could've prove costly. But if we're to discuss costly, look no further than the goals. The first, where had he stepped 3-4 yards off his line and put his arms out, would've collected the easiest of crosses. The 2nd goal showed off his lack of concentration since his reactions were slow initially and then as if the booking 2 games previous wasn't a warning sign enough he used his feet on that very goal and then again to give away the penalty. You have hands, use them. Although annoyed by the fighting earlier and rightly so, his involvement in it all became very petty and was having to be restrained by more than one person. A harsh thing, picking on someone's every mistake, but this didn't look like a game he was either focused for or properly into. A shame, since there were true signs of improvement earier in the season.

Boma - 8 - That's for his outfield contribution. Steady, committed and mopped up well throughout. Stays on his feet a lot when dealing with his marker which is a welcome change from last season too. He got done for that 4th goal though!

Doc - 8 - What you'd expect of him, always vocal, always good aerially and distributed the ball well out of defence. This appearance broke the record to make him the oldest player ever to play for Banter Central FC, taking Rick Bennett's title.

Bushy - 9 - Man of the match. Did exactly what was required of him defensively. The ball came his way on numerous occasions and his no nonsense style of defending was used to awesome effect. His surges up field make him unique, he powers forward with confidence and had 3 chances on goal from distance, the best of which saw him play a lovely one-two with Wommy before going for the far corner. Didn't deserve to be on the losing side.

Jewish - 6 - Worked his usual stint down the right and didn't put a foot wrong. Although defending is obviously key, he didn't offer a great deal going forward.

Fintan - 6 - Lively, determined and passing the ball with purpose in the first half, but he like many around him didn't seem to switch it on in the second period.

Gillardino - 6 - As above, just never really got going in the second half. Maintained possession well.

Adkins - 6 - A difficult game for more than one reason. He was not as good as he could be first half - far from it - but actually performed better in the second. The infamous incident involving him was careless and clumsy, but he did well to keep his cool in the aftermath.

Cling - 6 - Saw far more of the ball in the first 45 minutes and put in some good crosses and set-pieces. Largely anonymous second half.

Wommy - 7 - He won't be happy with the result, but he should be happy with his return. He looked lively, sharp and with a bit more good fortune could've caused some real trouble to Carlton's back four. No side effects to this leave Banter in good stead, nice to have him back.

Euro - 6 - He could've at least turned up on time. Did ok, came to collect the ball as often as he could and fired in a couple of decent crosses low down. Like Wommy, didn't get amazing service and was therefore a bit of a spectator some long periods, particuarly second half.

L.Dancer - 6 - Didn't put a foot wrong, passed well and tackled well. But the circus was just beginning to kick off when he entered so anything he or anyone did in and around this time became largely irrelevant.

After the win in December, it was certainly a game we knew we could win. By half time, it was still a game we knew we could win. Many things happened with the performance long before the ridiculous antics started up, largely we seemed content on how we'd performed first half and not determined to kick on and go for victory. Doc asked that we don't discuss good performances in the match report without victory and whilst the second half meant we won't say what a good team performance it was, there is still enough praise above to start questioning why everyone wasn't 100% up for it. The result was a disaster, but it needs putting behind us. Training starts again on Thursday and it's been a while so lets have a good attendance on that to perhaps get rid of a few cobwebs.