Pre season 2010/11 Match Reports

Sunday 12th September 2010

Friendly, Trenham Drive

Banter Central FC 4 - 2 Sanderstead Spitfires
Vidic, J-Dot, Wommy, Brownie

Banter: Tyler; Vidic (L.Dancer, 46), Tino, Boma; Ridders, Fintan (Gillardino, 46), Hughes, Adkins, Baird (Wommy, 25); Brownie, J-Dot (Cling, 46)

Banter finished pre-season on a high following victory over Sanderstead Spitfires. Though it wasn’t a vintage performance by any means, it was – by the second half standards at least – convincing enough. Following a heavy night of drinking, there were some lethargic legs out there and Banter were, unlike the week previous against the same opponents, slow to start as Sanderstead came out of the traps and played with far more tempo and created the better chances.

Tyler was called into action a couple of times early on, one particular save from a one on one was very brave, with Vidic clearing the follow up off the line. Sanderstead also hit the woodwork and saw an effort hit the side netting following the Spitfires forward ghosting through and rounding Tyler. Sanderstead got the goal they deserved when a near post header was guided in from a corner. Though the home side could claim it to be a cheap goal to give away so easily, it was nonetheless inevitable on the balance of play and fully deserved.

Banter’s response was not so much determined as it was just clinical. The Spitfires goalkeeper hadn’t been over-worked for the opening 30 minutes, a few long range efforts were seen off well from Hughes and in particular Boma, who had a quite spectacular effort from all of 30 yards. But the breakthrough came from a corner which was delivered well by Ridley to the back post, Hughes headed across goal and Vidic latched on to it first to volley home. That levelled the scores before Jon Stewart doubled Banter’s lead. Baird had suffered a leg injury and was replaced by Wommy, who filled in at left wing-back very well and largely created J-Dot’s goal. His run from deep was at pace and cut an incisive pass along the deck for Hughes to chase into the area, he crossed for J-Dot to control and finish well, making the scores 2-1 going in at half time.

Jonny Gill played in Banter’s colours for the first time in over a year when he came on to replace Fintan; Legend Dancer and Cling came on for goal scorers Vidic and J-Dot, with Wommy moved to his more familiar position of centre-forward for the second half. It was Hughes who continued to pull the strings in midfield and having created a couple already, he deserved a goal himself, which he nearly got when he powered through from deep, using the runs of his forwards as a decoy to continue into the box but the goalkeeper darted out quickly and efficiently to collect at his feet.

Banter’s third goal came in unusual circumstances; a long ball over the top from Tino was chased down by Wommy, who looked to be going after a lost cause, but if you don’t buy the ticket then you can’t win the raffle, as they say. I am not sure who ‘they’ are, but people do say it. I think. Sanderstead’s defender got to the ball first and appeared to deal with it, but a complete mix-up between he and goalkeeper saw Wommy nip in, take it round his opponent and finish to make the scores 3-1.

Banter could have had a penalty when Cling was felled in the box, but the claims were weak and according to some it didn’t particularly look like one either, which means despite the trip, some tips from David Baird might be necessary for next time.

Brownie got Banter's forth goal, which effectively killed the game off. For the second week running, a poor clearance from the goalkeeper came out to a Banter player, this time Brown clipped over a shot, which the ‘keeper could only get a hand to as it nestled into the net. It was well finished and Brownie’s second goal in as many games. He had a chance for a repeat, too, when the same thing happened soon after, he steadied himself and sent over another effort but this time it cleared the crossbar by a whisker.

Though comfortable, Banter were a little careless in possession and allowed their opponents to get too many openings. Tyler was forced to come off his line and make a terrific one v one save at point blank range. If I was being picky about the parry from a rocket shot, I’d say it was a little cheap to concede a corner. If this were Portsmouth Uni 5-a-side rules, we could lose the game at a tie based on ‘corners won’.

Sanderstead did pull a goal back following some really sloppy defending from Banter though; a half clearance was poked back into the area and with at least one Banter player keeping the centre-forward onside, Tyler was helpless to the shot from close range which made the scores 4-2. But the goal was nothing more than a consolation, as Banter hung on to take a win.

Man of the match: Phil Hughes. Two assists to go with a hard-working, determined performance. His aspirations and hunger for the league title were a welcome thought at half time and his desire shone through with a classy performance. Happy to put his foot on the ball or drive forward into the opposition box, this was hopefully only a glimmer of what’s to come.

The usual comments and closing points: We might not get away with such a lethargic pace over the next few weeks. Sanderstead were a good test and we should be very pleased with two excellent wins against them. But they seemed to take almost every chance they got and over 180 minutes they didn’t have that many.We might get away with more from set pieces than we give ourselves credit for though. The more emphasis we’ve placed on it, the better we’ve got. It works both ways of course, because Spitfires scored from one and we allowed a couple of free-headers in the second half as well; but we look far more dangerous when attacking them ourselves. One third of all professional goals are scored with a set piece. Fact. I'm not sure on the amateur stats, I tend to only churn out the numbers for our games, but I bet they're high. I wouldn't bet a lot though. Anyway, with Manny’s goal, Tino had one cleared off the line and Wommy fizzed a header wide from a corner, too. There were probably more, but the point is, we’ve previously not attacked or committed ourselves enough in such situations. We're doing it more now and we're looking better for it. Mr Baird has set himself a target to score a header this season and if that were his Facebook status, Cling Bak would 'like this'.Without giving too much away to potential non-Banter lurkers (the numbers of which sometimes surprise us), our system needs to continue to be very flexible indeed and ensure we’re not too rigid. Seeing Manny make marauding runs down the right wing with Ridley in behind to support is a sight to behold. Not only because I thought we were going to see the return of his infamous nose bleeds, but that he actually whipped in a cross that his onlooking buddy would’ve been proud of himself. Likewise for Boma’s piledriver (you’d have been subbed off if that had gone in), likewise the midfield interchange too. Lovely. Lets keep that up.Having looked at the league, it could’ve been kinder. First up from the fixture computer (yes, I believe a computer generates it) is Woodmansterne, away. The rest include Barracuda, Kurdish, Madras, Portland, Santos, and Surrey Valley. The first are new to us, the last are the only one’s we’ve never beaten. The rest gave us tight and difficult games at least once last season. If we are going to do this – and with the squad we have I expect us to have a real good go – we certainly won’t be allowed it very easily. Hard work maybe, but as Gareth Keenan would say, "put the work in and the rewards are obvious."Four games is the most friendlies we’ve played in pre-season and we have looked more in tune with one another as the weeks have gone by. The goals have been shared around and everyone has made a good account of themselves so far. It makes competition for places very lively, but not an easy decision in sight for a manager. Not an easy decision for me, either.The season starts here. And is all shot in stunning high definition.

Sunday 5th September 2010
Friendly, Greenacres

Sanderstead Spitfires 2 - 3 Banter Central FC
  Brownie, Baird, Hughes

Banter: Tyler; Tino (Boma, 46), Vidic (Tino, 70), Bennett (L.Dancer, 46); Ridders, Wilkes, Cling, Hughes, Baird; J-Dot (Bennett, 70), Brownie

Tom Ridley took the man of the match award, setting up two goals as Hughes headed away the winner in a hard fought victory for Banter Central.

An afternoon kick off allowed the Sopranos to let their hair down the night before, but defensive stalwart Chris ‘Vidic’ Mann was not to be seen out on the town; he got an early night and made sure he was fresh for what would be his first time in captaining the club.

Banter started by far the stronger, creating numerous half chances on Sanderstead’s goal and worked a short corner well to give Brownie a chance with a glancing header, which fell just wide. Cling, Hughes and Wilkes all had shots from the edge of the area, whilst Tino went closest with a powerful drive from range which the goalkeeper did well to tip over. Baird and Ridley got the run on their markers and whipped in some inviting crosses, which were dealt with during the early goings. Some very positive play and solidarity across the Banter backline kept things tight and it took half an hour for Banter to make the breakthrough. Some good link up play between defence and midfield eventually saw the ball fall to Hughes, who stole a march on his opponent and slipped Brownie into the penalty area; with J-Dot making himself available, Brownie delicately guided the ball through the defender’s legs and tucked his shot away on the other side to put Banter a goal to the good. It was well worked and thoroughly deserved.

Sanderstead’s work rate increased noticeably from that point on and whilst they took their time in testing out Tyler, they were edging closer and Banter were looking a little more edgy, with the passing less accurate and communication breaking down at times. Sanderstead won a corner and after a brief scramble, their towering centre back got his foot in first to hammer the ball in from close range, scoring with the team’s first shot on target. A harsh punishment, perhaps, but no doubt it had been coming.

Banter made two changes at the break, Boma came on for Tino and Legend Dancer made his first appearance in the pre-season friendlies, replacing Bennett. Both sides played with some confidence and had good movement off the ball, whilst getting stuck in when they needed to as well. With Sanderstead having the better of the play, they took advantage as Banter slipped into a coma. A lack of communication between Vidic and Cling saw the Spitfires’ skipper reach the ball first and float a cross in, which was initially cleared but when it found its way out to another Spitfire, it was struck on the half volley and whistled into the far corner giving Tyler no chance to make it 2-1.

Though it gave Banter a much needed wake-up call, Sanderstead could have extended their lead when Vidic misjudged a header and the Spitfires centre-forward raced on, but Boma did just enough to put him off as he fired the ball wide of the goal. Having struggled with a knee injury since Banter’s last game, Boma was very sound defensively and distributed the ball well for the most part, but a couple of times had some trouble keeping it on the pitch. One short pass intended for Ridley must have been so he could have a breather.

Ridley’s delivery throughout was spot on and he could have had a goal for himself when a poor clearance found it’s way to him 40 yards from goal, he looked up and lofted the ball long and over the goalkeeper, but it crashed down against the crossbar in agonising fashion. Make no mistake, however, the ‘keeper was off his line so he’d essentially just missed an open goal.

Banter’s best chance came from another crisp delivery from Ridders, Wilkes darted into the box and headed his effort wide as it could only glance against his flowing locks. But a wonderful delivery from a set piece saw Banter equalise, as Ridley again whipped in a cross to the back post, which missed Cling’s toe by inches as it appeared like it would go out for a goal kick, but Baird ghosted in from nowhere and leapt at the ball to smash it into the net; crashing into the post as he did so. It is what we always like to call ‘gambling’ and there is no better example of it than taking the chance and playing the percentages as Yellow Kid Icon did.

Banter’s set pieces had looked more dangerous all game than in previous weeks. Bennett had a good header on goal from a corner and Tino struck a good effort wide from the edge of the area. But it was Ridley again who created Banter’s winning goal; some good possession play found its way to the right side for him to deliver towards the edge of the box, as Hughes made a run forwrd and leapt high to cut the ball off and evade both defence and goalkeeper, seeing his header loop in and give Banter a 3-2 victory.

Man of the match: Tom Ridley. He created numerous chances and claimed two assists. Unlucky not to get on the score sheet with an audacious effort, we’d all love Rids to take this form into the new season as he set a great example to all.

Some comments from Captain Chris Mann: We bossed a good 60-70% of the game, but slacked off for the last ten of the 1st half and first ten of the 2nd half. Sadly, we saw how it can punish us.We kept the ball well, passing it a lot better than I’ve seen us do before. Happy to see that people aren’t afraid to go backwards or sideways if it means keeping possession, rather than always looking forward. They didn’t threaten our goal too much, but still got two goals which is a little disappointing. Their 1st was a bit of pinball and should have been dealt with, the 2nd - though it was an excellent finish - probably should have been stopped in the build-up. Hughes bossed the game in the middle and was a lot more direct, which we all love to see from everyone. His goal proved this, which he will need to keep doing more of. We need to work on being more ruthless and killing games off. We should’ve been at least 2 or 3 up by the time they scored their 1st goal. Sometimes we make life difficult for ourselves by not putting the ball away when we have the chances, then letting in a sloppy one at our end. Although on Sunday, I think we were a bit unfortunate and we did hit the bar twice. Rids delivers a mean cross as shown by his two assists. Hughes, Edd, Baird and more should keep gambling and getting into the box, as they did in the 2nd half. All in all a well-fought out win, with room for improvement.