Banter Central FC

"It's banter init, if you've got banter you're alright." - Rio Ferdinand, 2006

Sunday 14th September 2008
Friendly, Wandle Park

Banter Central FC 1 - 7 Barca FC 
Bushy 

Team: Wuker; Village (Mick, 65 mins), Boma, Tino, L.Dancer (Bushy, 30 mins); Wommy, Baird, Rod (Village, 75 mins), Cling; Hore, Mick (Euro, 46 mins)

To concede seven goals and only score one in reply is one hell of a thrashing. Banter knew their opposition for this final friendly would be difficult, just perhaps not this difficult. Barca looked comfortable and composed throughout, Banter worked hard for long spells and found it incredibly difficult to get the break-through. It is still curious however, that one of the biggest downfalls for a team predominantly in their early to mid-20’s is a lack of communication. Witnessed in all areas of the pitch was not calling for the ball and hoping others will deal with problems themselves. In the first instance, it could have been 1-0 to Banter inside 15 minutes when Wommy worked well on the edge of the area, beat the final defender and was one-on-one with the goalkeeper. But in racing through, the attack practically broke down at the crucial point as both he and Mick ran for the same ball and almost fought to get a shot off. Mick got it and the goalkeeper saved easily. Banter continued to work hard though, Baird and Rod in particular were doing their best to stop Barca from spraying the ball around at will. Some long-rangers from Hore and Rod were in amongst the constant pressure from the green and whites, who were beginning to carve out chances without the vital finish. Wuker made two excellent saves, but more in desperation as the danger of Barca’s long-balls should and could have been dealt with earlier. Perhaps Banter’s best performer to that point – Jim ‘Legend Dancer’ Manhire – found himself down and out on the half hour mark though. In trying to win a header he was kicked and given a nasty cut just above his eye. Bushy replaced him and continued to try and nullify the tricky and pacey right-winger. Cling’s cross from wide-left only grazed Rod’s head in another half chance, as Barca finally got the opening with a well-worked goal. With 5 minutes of the half remaining they grabbed a 2nd and then a 3rd which was an example of poor communication at the other end when Boma and Tino remained silent to let the ball fall through the middle of them and watch in desperation as Barca’s forward smashed in from a tight angle. Banter had switched off completely and the half-time whistle came at a good time. 3-0 to Barca.

Banter knew it would be another hard half and that they needed to put in 100% to even remain within touching distance of the two-touch passing of Barca FC. The blues came flying out of the blocks; Cling, Hore, Euro (introduced for Mick) and Wommy playing some one-two’s and looking for an opening, but within 30 seconds of a potential break-away, Barca got their 4th and the heads of everyone in blue went down. From there the quality of Banter’s football dropped significantly and it was more damage limitation than trying to carve out anything decent. After Barca’s 5th, Banter did manage to get a goal back themselves. A free-kick towards the left of what could have been a penalty area – had their been any pitch markings in the entire park – was taken by Cling and floated into the danger area for Bushy to leap and head in from 10 yards. A decent finish and not the first time he’s leapt to a Cling set-piece to score. Even the one goal gave Banter slightly more confidence as they tried to pass the ball around a little more. Euro thought he’d got the blues a second when his dangerous run saw him slide the ball beyond the goalkeeper and agonisingly on to the post. Barca’s 6th goal came from the spot when Tino cut out a cross with the aid of his arm and the 7th flew in with a minute to go after injuries to Baird’s knee, Rod’s head – which was just another example of crap communication as he and Boma went for the same header and the number 4 was clattered by his centre-back – and even Barca’s goalkeeper was replaced with a leg injury as Banter played out the final 10 minutes with as many men. 7-1 was how it all finished. Banter might have been playing against a team 2 divisions higher in the Premier and they might well have only lost one game last season – namely the Surrey Cup final – but a 6-goal beating is never the nicest. Quality opposition was important before going into what promises to be a very competitive league this season, so let’s hope Banter learnt something from this.

How everyone faired…

Wuker – 5 – Still looks uncertain when coming from his line and even less so in making sure he claims the ball, but made some very important saves in the first half to prevent a cricket score.

Village – 4 – Struggled with injury as much as he struggled with his marker’s pace. Credit where it’s due for battling on, but needs to re-find that confidence and effectiveness that everyone witnessed in the winter of last season.

Boma – 4 – Just didn’t look that confident for some reason. A big presence and someone who can really make a difference at the back, he was today quiet and not dominant in the air like he can be.

Tino – 5 – Many of the same issues as his central defensive partner, not the same player from 6 days earlier.

Legend Dancer – 6 – Had been playing well before injury. Got forward, held off a winger for long periods who was twice as quick as he and offered a simple pass at full-back. Hopefully it’s nothing serious on the head front.

Wommy – 5 – Totally starved of service and for the most part pretty ineffective. Made some good runs on his own but never really got involved.

Baird – 5 – Had a good first half where his work-rate was as good as his close passing with his central midfield partner. Needs to be more positionally aware when giving and receiving a pass because his other attributes make him one of the most effective Banter have.

Rod – 4 – Looked very active and lively in the first half, without really stamping his authority on the game. Like most, looked more lost in the second but was beginning to find his feet when moved to right-back. Took a nasty blow to the head, another we hope isn’t serious since he looked starry eyed at the end.

Cling – 4 – Another who was starved of service out wide but another who was also short on quality. It isn’t enough to say that for the second game running his greatest contribution was from set-pieces.

Hore – 5 – Great to see him return to the team and for 90 minutes he worked very hard. Was never really given any chance to get in behind defenders but his first touch to get the ball down and lay it off is as good as anyone will remember from last season, just needs to be involved more.

Mick – 4 – A very quiet game, particularly in comparison to Monday where he looked a threat. Makes some good movements, just needs to open his mouth more and give a simple ball when on the attack.

Bushy – 6 – Had a good game for the hour he played, not afraid to venture forward and had a tough time tracking his marker but did it well. Took his goal well too.

Euro – 5 – It was good enough, but unfortunately higher than a 5 would be mis-leading. It really isn’t his fault that he wasn’t involved more, but the fact is he wasn’t. Looked really lively and even stepped into centre-midfield to very good effect at the end too. Hugely important to where Banter need to go this season, let’s hope he’s 100% fit.

Adkins – 9 – He ran and ran and ran… some wonderful errands. From taking Legend Dancer to hospital to running the line when he got back, he did ever so well. Turned up a little late and didn’t give an offside that I quite like the look of; otherwise it would have been a 10.

Barca are a very good team and it won’t be a surprise if they are up there going for the Premier division title. Two warm-up games against varied quality, I think the important thing is that we’ve had these warm-up games to find out feet and know what to expect. There’s no secrets, we know how to prevent the negatives that creep into our game as much as we know how to play to our strengths, it’s just about doing it. But that’s it as far as warm-ups go, from now on it counts. The league begins, the goals count and the points most certainly do.

Monday, 8th September 2008
Friendly, Banstead

Banter Central FC 5 - 3 Athletico Croydon 
Shannon (2), Wommy, Tino, Rod

Team:

Wuker;
L.Dancer (Bushy, 46 mins), Boma (Baird, 80 mins), Tino, Baird (Village, 70 mins);
Wommy, Gillardino, Rod Fintan (Mick, 20 minutes), Cling;
Euro (Corker, 15 mins (Rod, 46 mins)), Shannon.

The first fixture of the new season for Banter Central and a good result during an indifferent performance. It was pleasing to have a big, strong squad for the game – as well as 15 players being there too. The start Banter made however, was not good. Within 30 seconds of Athletico kicking off, their forward was clean through on goal and as Wuker hesitated and then came, he easily rounded the big man to find the net. But the blues bounced back immediately when a long ball found Euro in the penalty area with his back to goal, he spun and laid the ball across goal for Cling to miss and Shannon to tap-in. 1-1. Within 5 minutes Banter grabbed another, Euro’s pace when he was picking the ball up out wide was something Croydon’s left-back simply couldn’t deal with, the number 10 raced down the right and with Cling and Shannon to pick out, he squared the ball across for another Shannon tap-in. Gary Lineker eat your heart out. Banter tried to settle a bit more, but it was only with counter-attacks that the blues found any luck as Croydon were far more composed and organised in possession. They equalised with another through-ball and finish and took the lead from a dubious free-kick, which was swung in and volleyed home nicely. With just 20 minutes gone it had been an eventful start but Euro’s hamstring was causing him trouble so he was replaced by Chris Cathie (Corker), who began up front for his first ever run-out. Baird was bursting forward from full-back at every opportunity and found himself through on goal but the goalkeeper made things difficult and the attack broke down. Rod Fintan was replaced by another new signing, Mick, who moved up front as Corker dropped back to join Jonny in midfield. Wuker may have had some hair-raising moments in the half but he then made a save that many would suggest he couldn’t have made a year ago. A shot destined for the far corner was unleashed from 20 yards as Manhire sprung to tip it onto the post and away to safety, first class. Right as the half was coming to a close, Corker broke forward from Cling’s pass and his diagonal ball was cut out by a defender and into the path of Wommy, who went through and calmly slotted the ball past the keeper and into the net. 3-3 at half time and despite being in the game, Banter had big improvements to make. Namely the organisation across defence and midfield, along with addressing the lack of communication.

Bushy replaced Legend Dancer at right-back and Rod returned in place of Corker for the second half, which began with a slower tempo and it was nice, from a Banter point of view, to see everyone not trying to play at 100mph. Despite some more heart in mouth stuff from Banter’s keeper – one slide tackle out wide was made about 20 minutes too late, the handball outside the area would be costly for the individual and team during a competitive game – his handling was never to be questioned and only some deep crosses seemed dangerous for large spells of the second half for Athletico. But Banter still hadn’t begun bossing the midfield enough, it was fortunate for the blues that Jonny decided to put himself just about everywhere in order to make vital interceptions and sliding challenges, even if he did send the ball over the fence several times. Mick and Shannon were causing problems when they dropped deep to collect the ball and some of the passes through to them were becoming far more incisive meaning that the last 20 minutes were largely dominated by Banter. Cling and Wommy exchanged wings and appeared to have far more joy in their new roles – Wommy’s running down the left was as dangerous as any of the corners whipped in by Cling. A couple of free-kicks from 25 yards were attempted from both Cling and Jonny, but both cleared the crossbar. With around 15 minutes remaining, Cling whipped a corner into the area which was met wonderfully by Tino for him to power in with his head. 4-3 to Banter. From here it was pleasing to see Banter try and keep possession as much as possible, with Croydon barely troubling Wuker for the rest of the game. Rod made absolutely sure of the result at the end as he hit a half volley which the goalkeeper couldn’t properly get to. 5-3 was the final score and some encouraging spells in a fairly sloppy game.

How everyone faired…

Wuker – 5 – Performed well from crosses and got down well from long rangers, particularly the one onto the post in the first half. But needs to command his area far more and know not just when to come out of goal all guns blazing, but how to come and simply narrow the angle. Improved with every minute that went by.

Legend Dancer – 6 – Solid enough and played Euro in down the right a couple of times very well. The “Hollywood” pass is something that needs to be used every 1 in 10, not 5 or 6 as is the case now though! (Replaced by Bushy, 46 minutes)

Boma – 6 – Very steady and reasonably composed in possession. Capable of beginning moves and taking a pass far more often by demanding the ball from his full-back though. (Replaced by Baird, 80 minutes)

Tino – 7 – A man mountain in the air, seemed calm as ever and took his goal very well. A few wild swings were a sign of rustiness, but a good performance nevertheless.

Baird – 8 – He ran himself into the ground as usual, his opponent down his side didn’t get a sniff thanks to his close-marking, well timed challenges and of course headers which sometimes make you assume he’s 6ft 5. Positional sense is sometimes a concern, runs up field in search of glory could prove costly. (Replaced by Village, 70 minutes. Replaced Boma, 80 minutes)

Wommy – 7 – Like most, a very quiet first half, but as usual he popped up and got a goal when given a chance. Some dangerous runs second half topped off an all round hard working performance.

Jonny – 8 – Man of the match. He just wants the ball all the time and in his second half showing it isn’t difficult to see why. Controlled play for long spells and grew in confidence. Crunching challenges is apparently something he’s developed over the summer as well. Just needs to communicate and make his presence known a bit more from kick off.

Rod Fintan – 6 – A quiet game from the baldy, he worked hard but looked like he lacked a little sharpness. Some sensible passes in the last 20 made it a solid enough outing. (Replaced by Mick, 20 minutes. Replaced Corker, 46 minutes)

Cling – 6 – Anonymous in the first half but full of energy second. Set-pieces into the box were tidy enough but little to write home about here.

Euro – 7 – For his 15 minute “cameo” he looked very lively, his two assists could have been so much more over 90 minutes. (Replaced by Corker, 15 minutes)

Shannon – 7 – Tap-ins are easy. So long as you’re there to tap it in and that is the key. Worked hard and always offered himself as an outlet. Caught offside 5 million times.

Mick – 6 – Very comfortable in possession and worked his socks off. On another day might have found himself through more often to get a goal. (Replaced Rod, 20 minutes)

Bushy – 6 – Wasn’t troubled a massive amount and did his job to good effect. (Replaced Legend Dancer, 46 minutes)

Village – 5 – Little time to make an impact but worked hard. Mis-judged a header in spectacular fashion which sent Croydon’s striker clean through, much to the spectator’s amusement. (Replaced Baird, 70 minutes)

Corker – 5 – Patently lacked match sharpness, which is a result of not playing for over a year and not training all summer. No question he’ll have something to offer, but not his finest game, even by his own admission. (Replaced Euro, 15 minutes. Replaced by Rod, 46 minutes)

The result was good, but it shouldn’t cover up the fact that we were off the pace for large spells. In the second half we didn’t allow them to have much time on the ball or get a shot on goal, in the first half they were allowed to do as they pleased. Against better opposition, this could have been over before it started. More composure, more simple passes and patience needed. We shouldn’t be reminding ourselves to organise one another more either, but we obviously need to. There are definitely enough positives here for us all to feel confident for the season though. Good win ladies.