Match Reports November 2010

Sunday 21st November 2010

League, Trenham Drive

Banter Central FC 1 - 4 Barracuda
Wommy

Banter: Doc; Vidic (Fintan, 75), Tino, Boma; Ridders (Wommy, 65), Gillardino, Wilkes, Hughes, Cling; Baird, Brownie

Two penalty awards sunk the Banter ship as a couple more goals late on opened up a comfortable looking score line for title contenders, Barracuda.

Following the wonderful engagement party of Mr Hughes and Miss Slater the evening previous, where the playlist was a feast of greatness - new and old - and five minutes of private time absolutely crucial, Banter had an earlier than usual home kick off time of 10.30.

The home side were not without energy or work rate and for the opening 10 minutes, it looked like domination might bring an opening as Barracuda started a little laboured. Barracuda soon found themselves getting into the game though, with both centre-forwards being played the ball early and into feet, but Banter’s backline and cover was sharp and dealt with the pressure well for the most part, despite a couple of worrying moments mid-way through the half from corners and crosses.

Banter’s best chances to take the lead fell to Baird, whose strike in a one v one beat the ‘keeper but couldn’t beat the post and soon after, Ridley spun in the area and saw his shot hit only as far as the goalkeeper’s hands. Brownie struck a decent free kick which deflected narrowly wide and a few more long range efforts might have been more troubling for the ‘Cuda ‘keeper.

The away team took the lead shortly before half time, Doc coming to deal with a one v one, he’d already slid in to claim a similar chance a few minutes earlier; he did the same on this occasion, except this time a penalty was awarded. Despite the Banter goalkeeper clearly playing the ball and the man only toppling as a result of the claim, a rather dubious decision was awarded for what was presumably deemed a crime because he hadn’t kept both hands on the ball. Even that description makes the decision sound like it could be debatable. The kick was put away neatly, despite Doc’s fingertips being inches away.

Cling had the best opportunity to equalise before the break; a well picked out pass from Hughes looked set to be controlled or hit first time on the volley at the back post, but opting for the latter it resulted in a swing and miss only, as the chance went begging. Barracuda lead 0-1 at half time.

Not five minutes had elapsed of the second half when the away team were awarded another penalty. Having ridden a few challenges rather easily, Barracuda’s #9 was brought tumbling down as he moved away from goal by Ridley, with a tackle that might’ve been perfect - where cynical goes - on the edge of the area, but no less than clumsy inside the box. The second penalty was again converted coolly by the same player to give his side a two goal lead.

In a bid to go for goals, Wommy came on to replace Ridley with half an hour remaining; Baird moving out wide as part of the substitution. Banter held the ball well and had the majority of possession inside Barracuda’s half, but as half chances went begging – including a good header from Baird and an effort from range from Tino – Barracuda were defending well as a unit to keep their opponents at bay.

The lead was extended once more with a goal that essentially killed the game off. Given too much time and space down the left following a short throw-in, a cross to the back post was well delivered but completely misjudged by Cling and dropped perfectly to Barra’s winger to head in at the back post and make it 0-3.

Fintan was introduced with immediate affect in place of Vidic, an attacking shift that saw the substitute provide an assist with his first couple of touches. Having ghosted onto the pitch a few seconds after kick off due to a wardrobe malfunction, he received the ball from Cling and passed inside for what eventually found Wommy, who strode forward and struck a fierce shot which went in off the near post from 25 yards.

Despite more chances going begging, from Wilkes’ head, Hughes hitting a half volley wide and Brownie screwing past the post in the penalty area, Banter didn’t find another goal and with five minutes remaining whilst going all out attack, Barracuda’s #9 struck for his hat-trick with a lovely solo goal, roasting his opponents on the counter before delicately chipping the ball over Doc to make it 1-4. A perhaps unfair score line on the face of play, but not an undeserved victory following a well worked away performance.

Man of the match: Andy ‘Tino’ Sheridan. No fault for the goals, played well throughout with a dominant and no nonsense display.

Closing comments: Had we not created many chances, I might have worried a little more. It was not the right result, but it wasn't a bad performance. Looking back: Baird had 3 chances; a one v one onto the post, a header and a swing-miss; the latter being demonstrated by Cling too, who also had a long range effort saved 1st half; whilst Tino also saw one collected from distance in the second. Brownie struck wide from a free kick and an effort in the area in the second half (both of which had the keeper beaten), Ridley turned and had a shot saved in the opening 45 and Wilkes a header wide at the back post near the end. Forgetting efforts that were unlikely to bring a goal at all and even Wommy’s goal itself, those are all chances that forced a save, beat the keeper or were fluffed disappointingly. That’s 10 chances that could quite easily have gone in. Barracuda’s goalkeeper may arguably have not made many or any super-stops, but could you say Doc was kept as busy as that? We’ve lost games where good chances created were half that, maybe less. On another day, who knows? Score lines can warp the mind. Given it was never a penalty anyway (and I believe the second was, so objectivity can hardly be questioned), the 0-1 score line at half time wasn’t a lie, but it might have been telling a few porkies. But that didn’t stop a complete overreaction, with one unreasonable description of the first half performance as “shit”. If you don’t have anything nice or constructive to say, don’t bother. It’s destructive. At least I give regular, positive feedback as well. A few domestic issues… Money – please can we make sure we have enough with us on Thursday’s and Sunday’s, every time. It’s hard to keep on top of sometimes if it’s not being paid until “next time”. None of you are bad at paying up at all, so just a minor one to make sure we’re aware and paying on time more often than not. Being loved by those at Trenham Drive – more achievable if we use the facilities. Don’t travel all the way back to Clapham (other locations also exist) smelling like a sewer; take a shower, relax and go and buy a drink in the clubhouse whilst brown-nosing every member of staff in there. Tell jokes, if you’re funny. Just make compliments, if you’re not. But can we get ourselves in there and having a quick drink, please. I know I’ve said it before and it’s worn thin, but I feel now it’s having an actual impact on us (kick off times etc). I promise you it’s making a difference. I’ve heard The Pilgrim is shutting down due to a severe dip in business on Sunday afternoons. If you plan on having a party anytime soon, I know a great DJ. He manages to mix socialising with excellent song choice. Problem is, he’ll remind you of it every three and a half minutes.