Report: This floodlit encounter was played in the icy tundra of South East Croydon with a dedicated and very welcome plethora of sideline supporters, comprised of members of the mens 1st and 2nd XI. Their presence and unwavering support certainly spurred on our performance – thanks guys.
The early phase of the game was the battle of the midfield, with The Rock demonstrating, why he is so called, letting nothing through and leaving the back line with little to do but sweep up the occasional break through ball. Great running from Duncan, Ben, Barry from Eastenders and Simon ensured that Cheam enjoyed the lions share of the pressure, forcing the busy Sanderstead keeper to make several fine saves.
Some great linking play with Slasher saw the ball played down the left and into the ‘D’, where the ball was skilfully sneaked through the Sanderstead defence to Barry from Eastenders, who had got himself in exactly the right spot to fire the ball into the back of the net.
More of the same pressure culminated in the oppo’s ‘D’ doing a very good impersonation of a pinball machine as the ball pung* around the 15 or so players that were in the ‘D’ at the time. The ball, having racked up quite score eventually found a foot or two. However, Mark WS in Wizardly fashion was the only person to play the whistle and slotted the ball in the goal. After consultation with the video judge, the umpires awarded the goal. 2-0 at half time.
The second half saw much of the same pressure and an oppo defender kicking the ball off the line. Up stepped the Snooker Cue to take the consequent P-Flick. Snooks’ majestically taken P-Flick, heading straight for the top left corner was outshone by the keepers even more magnificent save. Having felt cheated out of his goal, the Snooker Cue, shortly after, found himself one-on-one with the keeper and made amends by calmly and confidently lifting the ball over the fast approaching keeper into the back of the net.
With about 15 minutes to go the Oppo managed, from a short corner, to somehow get the ball past the normally impenetrable Cheam 3’s Defence. This was the catalyst for a 10 minute spell of pressure from the oppo. Some good play saw a Sanderstead sharp-shooter take the ball around Krish. With only thin air between him and the goal, the second goal seemed a certainty. ‘No way’ thought Sparky. Not content with already having made one goal line save, with a flagrant disregard for the laws of physics and with no contemplation for his own personal safety, Sparky somehow made up the distance between himself and the attacker and got his stick in front of the ball to deflect it wide of the goal.
Some great saves from Krish and resolute defending from Dhirren, David, Aj and Mark saw cheam regain their composure. Then, like a bullet from a gun, Simon picked up the ball on the half way line and shot down the length of the pitch to the corner and fired in a superb cross, (just like the ones we do in training). Had the forwards been as quick as Simon, we might have added to our tally.
Top of the table clash next week! Bring it on!!
*pung – past tense of ping (ok, so not in the Oxford English Dicionary, but in the little dictionary in my head)
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| Squad: |
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Krish, Mark WS, Sparky, Dhirren, Aj, David, Duncan, Ben, Mark ‘The Rock’ Cox, Barry from Eastenders, Simon, Rich ‘Slasher’ Lucas, Matt ‘Snooker Cue’ Mabin. |
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