Match Report

Another victory against the same opposition as the previous week but in much better conditions. Our squad of 16/17 always seems to get down to 13 before the kick off as we again missed several regulars through injury and holidays. Our side this week was bolstered by Dawson and Burkett who both played very well.

Our side lined as follows (4-4-2):

Goalkeeper - Gary Rosslee
Right Back - Darren Burkett
Left Back - Danny Saines
Centre Half - Paul Garrett
Centre Half - Andy Cob
Right Mid - Si Harvey
Left Mid - George Kleanthos
Centre Mid - Matti Wright
Centre Mid - Rich Davies
Forward - Paul Tanton
Forward - Adam Dawson

with an extremely hung-over Tony Simpson and Robin Lipscomb returning from injury starting on the bench.

The first half was probably some of the best football we have played with some excellent passing and we scored 3 very good goals (Tanton 2 and Dawson) and were solid at the back and restricted Wickham to only one real chance from which Gary made a good save.

The second half was more even due to Wickham upping their game and us not doing the simple things but we got a hotly contested penalty which was won and converted by Rich 'Ngog' Davies (our chosen penalty taker Andy Cob was off tucking into an isotonic Marlboro Light at the time as part of our defensive rotation system). Towards the end of the game Dawson added another one and George K got another good goal following some excellent passing. We could have had several more but for poor finishing some of which Pat's Nan would have finished and some good goalkeeping.

After the game we all emptied our kit bags several times looking for Mick Gearing's valuables which were later found in his own bag. Thanks to Lawrie for reffing at short notice and doing a good job. Lawrie is now a member of the Young Vets boot-room. The man of the match votes were spread around which is sign of decent display.

Next we are away against Toby Vets and are at present again short on numbers, Vic Farrow and my dad have all been placed on standby to make their first appearances of the season. Vic has bigged himself up in the past about his days at left back for the Guild and if you're lucky will show you a newsletter from 1962 in which he had scored a hat-trick the previous week (Toby vets beware!!!).

Tant

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Well here we were again, another Sunday morning was upon us but this week saw the added bonus (to those of us that need it) of an extra 30 minutes in bed courtesy of the later kick off of 11am in commemoration of Remembrance Sunday. Quite an appropriate name considering the likes of Tony Simpson could not remember what he did the night before at Steve Watson Esq’s 40th, yes 40th Birthday celebrations!

The opposition were Wickham Park for the second week running, who gave a good account of themselves the previous week in weather conditions that wouldn’t look out of place in the likes of Borneo.

Darren Burkett kindly helped us out and offered to play for us at the 11th hour, after all this could not be any worse than what he witnessed the day before with his team in the Cup against more shall we say….“Stella” opposition ;)

We lined up after both teams respected the 2 minute silence as follows:

GK - Gary Rosslee
LB - Danny Saines
CB – Andy Cobham
CB – Paul Garrett
RB – Darren Burkett
LM – George K
CM – Matt Wright
CM – Rich Davies
RM – Simon Harvey
CF – Adam Dawson
CF – Paul Tanton

Subs were:

Tony Simpson (in body)
Robin ‘sicknote’ Lipscomb

From the opening whistle we controlled the game and dictated the pace and took the lead via good work from Paul Tanton who unselfishly teed up Adam Dawson who was only playing his second game for the younger Vets and netted his 5th of the season, great start 1-0 FOBG!

It didn’t take long to double our lead and I think Paul Tanton got our second goal but I cant be 100% sure as I was practising penalties at the other end into the empty goal - well you never know especially with the cup game coming up against Crofton! (I only missed the 1 out of 7, take note Tant & Danny) 2-0 FOBG!

Wickham Park’s only real notable chance came in the first half when their forward won the ball off of Rich Davies in midfield and beat two of our defenders en route to goal but was thwarted by a fine one on one save by the FOBG goalkeeper. Although in fairness their forward did connect more with the turf than the ball and this resulted in him needing some treatment!

There was some good link up play on the right hand side by Simon Harvey and Darren Burkett, almost similar to the David Beckham & Gary Neville partnership of yesteryears. And when called upon Darren did a sterling job in defence intercepting and diverting several dangerous crosses.

Matt Wright had another solid game in the centre of midfield helping with attacking and defensive duties, and today saw the return of Robin Lipscomb who I believe now has his own parking space down at the Sloane Hospital in Shortlands!

Basically in a nutshell we ended up 6-0 winners very comfortably courtesy of further goals from Adam Dawson, Paul Tanton, George K and even Rich ‘Ngog’ Davies opened his account for the season from the penalty spot after he was “bundled” over in the Wickham box. The Wickham goalkeeper kept the score respectable (if 6-0 can be deemed respectable) with at least 4 good saves.

This was probably the easiest game we have been involved in so far this season and to be slightly critical at one point it became a bit boring out there, well certainly for yours truly who had little to do all game except write this match report!

MOM was a close fought contest I believe it was split between Adam & Paul for their 2 goals each and Matt Wright who ran his socks off for 90 minutes.

We are away to Toby Vets on Sunday where hopefully they can provide a bit more competition, judging by the absentees for that fixture so far I think it is going to be a busier day at the office!

Gary