And so the season draws to a close as far as the Sunday morning fixtures are concerned and it was great to see the boys go out with a pair of veritable 'bangs'.
The 'A's
Joe[GK], Fin, Max, Matty, Caldé, Ryan, Rhys & Nathan donned crampons for the first half of a game against a handy MOW side. As the kids glowed with health on this fine sunday morning [nothing to do with the pylons, of course] it looked like it might be an uphill struggle . . .
. . . but this is a team that we know doesn't slope away and hide from it's responsibilities.
MOW came in from the right with great effect and were a real problem throughout the first half. Character in a team can be measured by how the players withstand an onslaught and as Joe was forced into an early save and MOW had a post-to-post shot miraculously avoid crossing the line, it looked like we were going to be in for a difficult watch.
Pressure from the home team kept the trademark ASC passing play to a minimum. Caldé had an early shot skim just wide. Not only did he almost score for ASC he was also on hand to stop the ball crossing the line after Joe was lobbed in the ASC goal. The corner that came from the clearance saw one of those rare things - a 9 year old heading the ball - and it only just went over.
A good side makes the most of it's luck and MOW seemed to be somewhat perturbed by their failure to convert. As such, ASC stepped up a gear with Nathan and Max combining beautifully on the bottom of the slope to worry the MOW defence. It was Nathan's turn to get his head on the end of the ball; again, just over.
Confidence was up now and it was all the parents could do to stop themselves singing 'Score in a minute - we're gonna score in a minute', which of course we wouldn't do because we adhere to all aspects of the FA's 'Respect' Campaign and manage to hold ourselves in check at all times. This game of attrition seemed to be swinging in ASC's favour and it was inevitable that the first goal would reflect the tenor of the game thus far; on the stroke of half-time, a goal-mouth scramble was tapped in by the ubiquitous Caldé. MOW 0 ASC 1
Half time: Mile Oak Wanderers: 0 ASC Strikers: 1
MOW were certainly not done yet. Although the slope was in the visiting team's favour now, they came at ASC with real power. A good shot at the end of a run only just missed it's target. Matty and Rhys combined to keep the ball out and were forced into playing it safe on a number of occasions. MOW's early corner was drifted on to the head of their forward who took it beautifully to even the score. MOW 1 ASC 1
Instant light relief arrived in the 'Calotelli' bib incident as he was called back into play . . .
. . . but it was an inspired substitution as the ball was released to Nathan who thwacked a right foot shot across the keeper and into the bottom right hand corner; a quick and incisive return to the MOW goal. MOW 1 ASC 2
Joe said 'No' to MOW as he went down low to see the ball go out for a corner; great save. It was edge of the seat stuff now as we'd seen how effective the home team had been with set-pieces but Max was on hand to get the ball clear. His death-defying run and cross to Nathan was the stuff of champions; fantastic skill.
And it wasn't long before he caused time to stand still producing arguably the Goal of the Season [we've had a few of those in recent weeks!] as what would've been a twenty five yard shot on a full size pitch looped over the MOW defence and keeper and into the back of the onion bag. A stunner. MOW 1 ASC 3
So the big questions were now waiting to be asked. Would MOW's heads drop? Would ASC take their foot off the gas? Had we all become radioactive superheroes after standing underneath the pylons for so long? The home team came straight back at the boys with Rhys and Matty being forced into some 'Row Z' defending. A chipper ASC team replied with Max, Caldé and Nathan looking for number four in a great move that went just over. Joe was called into action with a fine save low to his left.
And so the whistle blew on another fine performance from the 'A's; a few will be moving on to bigger things next year but what a foundation they've helped to lay for the rest of the boys!
Final Score: Mile Oak Wanderers 1 ASC Strikers 3
ps - more info about pylons [and how much fun they can be!] can be found at http://www.pylons.org/ - I kid you not
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The 'B's
Nathan[GK], Max M.[his final game in the yeller'n'blue! - sniff!], Alfie, Sunny, Sharpy[Fonz], Fraser, Joe G., Tom and Joe W. were looking to carry on their own winning run and immediately displayed their intent with Tom performing a Cruyff turn, Joe G. getting a corner early doors and an Alfie interception that looked like it was going to be lost in the freshly ripening stingers that were toward the bottom of the slope.
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| It makes me itch just lookin' at 'em |
Sunny produced one of his 'was it or wasn't it' shot/crosses [who cares - they all count] and Alfie got a lovely through ball into Joe G. who was just stifled in his efforts to convert. MOW returned with a speculative shot that hung in the air and bounced tantalisingly above Nathan who showed a very safe pair of hands.
Alfie and Tom linked up well to see the latter's shot skim just wide. Max M. [sniff!] showed great strength in what his father described as meat 'n' two veg defending
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| One for the veggies |
Joe W. came on for some defensive duties with a great header from the back which sent Joe G. on a run down the right wing. At this point, the ref was heard to coach a few of the home players in dealing with the attack from ASC. Of course, we all felt this was ok as we have all subscribed to the FA's 'Respect' Campaign and wouldn't dream of questioning the validity of such an action.
But on with the action - a cagey affair took a turn in ASC's favour as, moving away from his Dutch Masterclass, Tom resorted to some meat and two veg work of his own with a battling display on the MOW area. His through ball to Joe G. resulted in a pass into the bottom left hand corner. Instant Karma. MOW 0 ASC 1
It was all ASC now as Fraser harried the MOW defence with one of his sidewinder runs and Joe G. pinged crosses and shots in at will. The two of them combined brilliantly with two taps; one from Fraser into the path of Joe G. who tapped his into the back of the net. Imagine. MOW 0 ASC 2
Half time: Mile Oak Wanderers 0 ASC Strikers 2
Tenacious play from Max M. [sniff!] and a brave Joe W. tackle set out the ASC stall for the second half. Matt and Phil have instilled the need to concentrate and play to the whistle and the boys' recent performances have reflected that ethos. Great word; ethos.
Tom turned defence into attack with a through ball to Sunny who got in a shot that would've taken the shine off anybody's day had they got in the way of it; just wide.
The MOW goal was now under siege, but they showed great resilience and as the ASC defence pushed forward a great gaping hole appeared at the back. It was Max M. [sniff!] who saved the day. Gosh, we're gonna miss him.
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| A great gaping hole |
Awakened by this, ASC pushed on and Sunny showed great close control, his skill being rewarded with a calmly executed pass into the opponent's net. Happy Christmas [War Is Over]. MOW 0 ASC 3
MOW weren't done though - a fantastic volley from a corner almost got a goal back for them. Not long after, the frustration could be felt as their forward stood, hands on hips, as he saw a screamer just clear the bar. Nathan was called into action with a great save after a skilful MOW dummy allowed the ball through to the waiting striker.
There seemed an inevitability to a consolation goal from the hosts and, as the second half seemed to stretch on for an incredibly long time [of course, it clearly couldn't have and if it did we certainly wouldn't say anything about it as we all adhere strictly to the priniciples and tenets of the FA's 'Respect' campaign, full details of which can be found here http://www.thefa.com/leagues/respect] a lovely through ball to the MOW attacker saw a beautifully taken strike bring a goal back for our hosts. MOW 1 ASC 3
However, that proved to be the final goal action of the game. Joe W. had a great shot deflected over and Alfie, Joe G. Tom and Sunny produced a great passage of play that could so easily have nicked a fourth.
Their final game of the season and what a success story the 'B's have been this year.
From the Near Legendary Runs of Bill and Fraser to the Don't Make Me Angry performances from Alfie.
Sunny with his Exocet right foot to Joe W. with his lovely head of hair [and a couple of screamers to boot!].
Sharpy with his Arthur Fonzarelli coolness at the back to Joe G. - 'Get yer 'ead down, Joe!'
From the juggernaut power in front of goal of Tom to the meat and two veg of Max M. - we won't forget, Max! [sniff!]
A great result to end a great season - WHAT A TEAM!
Final Score: Mile Oak Wanderers 1 ASC Strikers 3
