2s vs Team Tweed

Pre-season friendlies are usually fairly cynical money making efforts where large clubs look to bolster their shirt sales and line up superior teams against an opposition that will allow them to run through formations, set plays and drills.

The same can’t be said about this fixture. Cheam Mens 3rd team (Team Tweed) spent last season unbeaten, produced the clubs top scorer and got promoted.

Whereas Cheam Mens 2nd team sat happily mid table, and in reality didn’t produce a great deal of note, apart from provide the odd player for the 1st team as and when.

So this was going to be an interesting fixture. Would the bragging rights of the 3s be maintained or would the 2s reveal why they are actually the 2nd team in CHC?

Early in the first half was a fairly measured and well-balanced affair. Team Tweed and the 2’s exchanged penalty corners. The 2s keeper stepped up on a number of occasions and made the usual quality saves. Including one at above knee height (and so above backboard height) from a penalty corner strike. When queried, the umpires were ambivalent and so the game went on….

After a shove in the back, the 2s usually measured and retiring right back delicately and politely queried the umpire’s decision a hit to Team Tweed. He was then shown a green and given 2 minutes to think about just how he needs to clearly be a little more delicate when talking to the umpires.

The 2s defence unit worked hard and well handling the Tweed forwards and negating any goal threat. Tweed tried the direct approach, they tried balls switched from the baseline, they tried shouting at each other. The Tweeds just couldn’t find any penetration. This defensive effort was marshalled by the big time and vocal 2s keeper. However he could only do so much when his defensive midfielder doesn’t know his left from his right….. Misty.

At the other end of the pitch following a short corner the follow up led to the ball being sent home by the hard working and ever willing Aussie Tim with an assist from Misty.
When asked to talk through his goal in his post match interview he modestly told us “my goal was stunning, that’s all you need to know”. Then he proceeded to neck a can of Fosters, kick his dog (Bouncer) and then stuck another shrimp on the barby.

Half time score 1-0 to the 2s and Team Tweed looking a little frustrated.

The teams stepped out in the second half and early on the 2s midfield dominated using the width of the pitch and holding territory.

Team Tweed’s chances came more on the break, but once again the 2s defensive unit held out with the keeper proving that not only is he a person too #KAPT, but he can also step into a sweeping role and negate the crosses and attempted passes across the D from the Team Tweed attackers. Sounds like one to watch this season.

It was around this time that it was confirmed to “Goalman” that to the 2s, he was just plain old Richard Coleman and so he sulked back to midfield.

The pressure forward started to tell with a couple of strong saves from the Tweedy keeper. Including one which took the feet out from under Neil Inbetweeners (Harry Reynolds).

However this only served to spur on the robotic dancer who lined up an assist for a Jamie Gibson goal. 2-0

And talking of Jamies, Jamie Weston put in a mature and dynamic performance. Assured on the ball and difficult to the opposition. Yet another exciting youngster at the club.

The final minutes of the game were in fairness all about Team Tweed's most sustained attacking period of the game. The 2s keeper made a string of high class saves (again…) and in a fit of jealousy from one of his own team mates (a midfielder who, being a Lesser Mortal, has no idea of what it takes to be that rarest of breeds… a keeper) accused his keeper of being “Hollywood” with one of his saves.

This only served to spur on the keeper, who, in the final minutes made one solid save from a Coleman strike from a penalty corner (he was still trying). The final whistle blew with a penalty corner still to be taken. A Derry strike called for the 2s keeper to demonstrate just how “Hollywood” he is with a lightning reflex stick save down to his right.

So, 2-0 and Team Tweed beaten for the first time since the start of last season.

Coleman told me after the game “well we were missing a few people”. That may have been true but in fairness, the 2s didn’t have a full team either…

In his post match interview, the 2s captain told me that he was exhausted but found the performance inspiring and was looking forward to the potential of the team this season… He also told me that he would like to be the 2s own Neil Inbetweeners (Harry Reynolds), because he wishes he could be that age again.

Interesting insight from an “interesting” human being.

We also welcomed Lawrence Marsh to the club and the team. A winning start and the right team to pick!

MoM - Jamie Weston

DoD - Sohail Ahmad (although Derry did get some votes)

Champagne Moment - Charlie Ede for final penalty corner save.