tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86258912240397094532024-02-19T03:21:30.006-08:00Whitmarsh's WhiskersI'm a Hendon fan, approaching middle age all too quickly who thinks that people might be interested in my views about the club, Ryman League football and sometimes, Non League football in general. I'm most likely mistaken in many of my assertions.Whitmarsh's Whiskershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06366879985557851787noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625891224039709453.post-38013454967482748822012-04-14T00:41:00.001-07:002012-04-14T00:46:44.018-07:0048 Hours of Madness - The Life of a Hendon Fan<link href="file:///D:%5CTEMP%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><link href="file:///D:%5CTEMP%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx" rel="themeData"></link><link href="file:///D:%5CTEMP%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml" rel="colorSchemeMapping"></link><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>ZH-CN</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">On Saturday afternoon everything was over. Our play-off hopes were completely dead and buried, barring a miraculous run-in that would bring us maximum points from our remaining four league matches. That was very unlikely to happen particularly in view of our stuttering record against sides in the bottom four this season and indeed the fact that we still had to host <b>Kingstonian</b>. We were running on empty, just as we had been four years ago when we entered the last day of the season with our play-off destiny in our own hands only to see them slip through our fingers despairingly against <b>Wealdstone</b>.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">I spent all of Saturday evening following the 3-0 reverse against an impressive <b>Margate</b> side wondering just what it was about being a <b>Hendon</b> fan that played so heavily on my emotions. Was it the fact that I always saw us as plucky underdogs, expecting to be disappointment yet daring to hope when things were going well? The end to the 2007/8 season had been a real kick in the goolies, yet the reality was that we had fallen just short. There could be no doubting the effort and commitment, we just didn’t quite have enough about us to make our season last a week longer.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">This season has felt a bit different though. In 2007/8 I felt as if the players were almost as surprised as we fans were that we had been riding so high in the league. This time around, for the most part there has been a belief about the way we set ourselves up that we belong at the top end of the table and aren’t there due to a fortunate good run. And so with each impressive win against our rivals in and around the play-offs that belief has grown and filtered onto the terraces. I think it has shown with the number of times fans have come away from games disappointed because we’ve only had a point to show, when really, had we put in a performance as we did at <b>Bury</b> or against <b>Lowestoft </b>or <b>Hornchurch</b>, we would have come away with all three.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">This all made getting up to go and watch the boys play in the miserable, blustery wet conditions that the bank holiday brought along a tiny bit tougher. Those five minutes of madness at <b>Lewes</b> were pretty hard to take. Yet three days later we had beaten <b>AFC Wimbledon</b> for the third time at Kingsmeadow in the <b>London Senior Cup</b> under Gary McCann. Elation. Of course, that was then followed by deflation as <b>Margate</b> turned us over with a worrying degree of comfort. What on earth was yesterday to bring?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">The home match against <b>Wingate</b> had seen us draw 1-1 with <b>Greg Ngoyi</b> grabbing a second half equaliser. Although <b>Murat Karagul</b> had seen red for a foul on <b>Ryan Wharton</b>, we displayed a lack of guile on the day that would have brought us three points. At the time, I saw that as two points dropped. With the hosts requiring a point to guarantee Premier Division football next season, I expected a tough afternoon’s viewing.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">The first six minutes were tough to watch. <b>Wingate</b> began the game with their customary powerful and pacy attacking, and the <b>Hendon</b> back four were put under early pressure. A skewed clearance by <b>Berkley Laurencin</b> did little to settle the nerves as the ball span away off the outside of his boot having fizzed off the greasy surface.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">In the 7<sup>th</sup> minute, began a sequence of events that wouldn’t have been too out of place in something like <i>Groundhog Day</i> or <span> </span><i>Jesus, Don’t leave him unmarked on the Far Post again!</i> as <b>Scott Cousins</b>’ excellent left-footed delivery from out wide, using full benefit of the wind was simply touched home by <b>Isaiah Rankin</b> for his first 1<sup>st</sup> half goal of the season, and his earliest of any match by about three and a half hours.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">The goal settled <b>Hendon</b> down and they began to assert themselves. <b>Tom Davie</b> and <b>Scott Shulton</b> were both fairly prominent, linking well with <b>Carl McCluskey</b> and <b>Rankin</b> whilst the back four dealt well with the increasingly limited <b>Wingate</b> threat. After <b>Davie</b> had returned a poor <b>Bobby Smith</b> clearance with interest from 40-odd yards out that bounced off the base of the post, the lead was increased in the 20<sup>th</sup> minute when <b>Cousins</b> delivered a corner towards the far post for <b>Casey Maclaren</b> to climb highest and nod the ball home simply from close range for his first goal of the season. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8bSpT7XC7UIx8Kx9YkeB8_zI9cYZgQw5DNTwGph2IfkjRBNHgqLat6nclqXt6fHe5ImopKyLwl8PBnHc3y5ex3JPutUJumMoyc8LhbzMVCLiJVl-I4sp7qvRrJ441MLZQ8KMNV105j8/s1600/Casey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8bSpT7XC7UIx8Kx9YkeB8_zI9cYZgQw5DNTwGph2IfkjRBNHgqLat6nclqXt6fHe5ImopKyLwl8PBnHc3y5ex3JPutUJumMoyc8LhbzMVCLiJVl-I4sp7qvRrJ441MLZQ8KMNV105j8/s1600/Casey.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Casey Mac - Superb effort this season so far.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span></span>At this point it is worth making a note of <b>Casey’s</b> efforts this season. He’s always been a player who has given 100% whatever role he has been asked to undertake and having begun this season wide on the left, all that is left for him to do now I think is to don the gloves at some point to complete the set. However, I have always had a nagging doubt about his ability to play at this level. Part of that comes from what I saw as a desire to try and play too much football at times rather than keeping things simple, and part of it was simply down to his temperament. The nadir of my ‘fan / player’ relationship with him, more so than his brother, came after the disgraceful brawl in pre-season at <b>Chesham</b> the summer before last. I really didn’t want him to play for the club again, particularly as this wasn’t the first time he had ‘got involved’. A stray elbow against <b>Dartford</b>, a headbutt against <b>Tonbridge</b> that went sight unseen, it was beginning to verge on the ridiculous.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">However, for the first time since his long injury lay-off a few years ago, I have really seen <b>Casey</b> as a real asset to the squad. Not only for his willingness and ability to play in more than one position, but also because he has improved markedly as a footballer now. To be honest, I think the ‘number 6’ role suits him down to the ground, just as it does <b>Kevin</b>. Both have thrived this season in the holding midfield role so much so, that the player most physically suited to the role, <b>Dave Diedhiou</b> has been largely unable to get a look-in. (More of him later). <b>Gary</b> deserves a lot of credit for sticking with <b>Casey </b>through the bad times, his patience is now really paying dividends, and to be fair, <b>Casey </b>(who has always been approachable) deserves a lot of credit for the way he has knuckled down to concentrate on his football, and leave the bare knuckle brawling behind. At no point was that more obvious than yesterday when in the face of some provocation he kept his calm. Gone are the stupid, reckless challenges, gone are the stray elbows and more snidey elements to his game. He has benefitted hugely as a player from the change and <b>Hendon</b> have benefitted as a team.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAsRjHDhArlvoJaukNXmQrqieeLobHbiLS7ZqUyoUN_GgVboswDSWFFwXsyLFhyBmRE6tFbQkDw4m7pQGAFqY8JtG8pxH4GyY0VRVJ0GVv4ia0Dr4sR8f1UMPQZ6wqvItoZ59NDo9_p7o/s1600/Diedhiou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAsRjHDhArlvoJaukNXmQrqieeLobHbiLS7ZqUyoUN_GgVboswDSWFFwXsyLFhyBmRE6tFbQkDw4m7pQGAFqY8JtG8pxH4GyY0VRVJ0GVv4ia0Dr4sR8f1UMPQZ6wqvItoZ59NDo9_p7o/s1600/Diedhiou.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The unlikely 2 goal hero (with thanks to hendonfc.net)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Back to on-field events and the more cynical members of the crowd may have begun to accuse the yellows (as the Greens were yesterday) as employing a game similar some exponents of the egg-shaped game by not so much playing for touch, as playing for corners. On 28 minutes, another corner was swung in by <b>Scott Cousins</b> to the far post were <b>Dave Diedhiou</b> simply prodded the ball in before wheeling away in celebration and within five minutes, yet another <b>Cousins</b> corner to the far post was taken down by <b>Diedhiou</b>, totally unmarked again, before smashing the ball into the roof of the net. The combined distance of the four goals was probably no more than 20 yards, but they all counted. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">From a <b>Wingate </b>perspective, the simplicity of the goals was almost as bad as the repetitive nature of them. <b>Hendon</b> really hadn’t had to work especially hard to gain a lead that if not already unassailable by this point, certainly was ten minutes before the break when <b>David Laird</b>, who had scored four times in <b>Wingate’s </b>previous two matches lunged at <b>Ryan Wharton</b>. Behind the goal <b>Wingate </b>fans were vociferous in their disapproval for <b>Wharton’s</b> antics as the referee brandished the red card in <b>Laird’s </b>direction. I would agree that there isn’t really any need for the centre half to yelp as he goes down when fouled, but put quite simply, the challenge was late, reckless and unnecessary. It wasn’t as bad as <b>Karagul’s</b> in the return fixture, but it was worthy of a dismissal.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">It had been a while since I had seen <b>Hendon</b> four goals to the good at half-time. In actual fact, it had been a while since I’d seen them manage that many in 90 minutes. Talk at the break was of how many we might go on to get after the break, but I was more concerned with making sure we didn’t do anything silly to undo all of our good work. We did that with a fair degree of comfort, although <b>Wingate</b> deserve credit for giving it a go after the break and forcing a couple of solid saves from <b>Berkley </b>in goal. At the other end we rarely looked like extending our lead before <b>Carl McCluskey</b> coolly made it 5-0 two minutes from the end to complete another good personal performance from him just behind the front man. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">I couldn’t actually remember the last time I saw us scoring five in any game, never mind a competitive one. Having looked back through the website, it was a 6-0 win against <b>Biggleswade United</b> in the FA Cup back in September 2005. The last time I’d seen us achieve the feat in a league game? April 22<sup>nd</sup> 2000 when <b>Hendon </b>beat <b>Farnborough Town</b> 5-3. Although we have of course scored five in matches since then, I had not been lucky enough to have been in attendance.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">So, a point outside the play-offs, with <b>Bury</b> losing and having 2 men sent off in the process, there is still a glimmer of hope that this time around <b>Hendon</b> may just sneak into the top five. With three matches remaining, two against relegated sides the match on Saturday against <b>Kingstonian</b> takes on extra significance now. There would be no better time to lay to rest the ghost of our awful league record against them. And with the K’s having to play on Thursday in their London Senior Cup semi-final against <b>Cray</b>, one can hope against hope that they may be struggling a little with fatigue themselves. However, as we saw last season in the final of that competition against <b>Wingate</b>, sometimes fatigue just isn’t there.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">This time things are no longer in our hands. All we can do is pick up nine points out of nine. <b>Lewes</b> still have to play <b>Cray</b> and one suspects that <b>Wealdstone</b> may well slip up somewhere with six matches remaining in just over a fortnight. There are likely to be more twists and turns between now and the end of the month, and it promises to be an entertaining ride full of ups and downs. For the time being, I’m laying expectations firmly to rest and concentrating once again on being the plucky underdog.<span> </span><span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Whitmarsh's Whiskershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06366879985557851787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625891224039709453.post-1232660272637713912012-04-02T02:53:00.000-07:002012-04-02T02:53:27.457-07:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Football –Sod you! 5 Minutes of Mayhem<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Saturday 31st March 2012</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Lewes 3-2 Hendon</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Ryman League Premier Division</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>The Dripping Pan</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Saturday and one of the few away days I’ve braved this season. And boy am I pleased I did. Well, yes and no actually. Off the pitch things were marvellous. On the pitch they began similarly so, before descending extremely rapidly into chaos and bitter disappointment. This was not how <b>Gary Mac's</b> autiobiography ghost writers would have had him marking 15 years a <b>Hendon</b> man.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Hendon</b> marched down to the South Downs to meet <b>Lewes</b> in a match that should they come away victorious, would probably be very much favourites to snap up one of the play-off positions. Coming down the hill from the town centre and the very hospitable chaps and chapettes at The Brewers Arms (good selection of ales I’m told, good selection of Euro-lagers and very good selection of BURGERS!) I felt like I was going to a proper football match. Scores of people were descending the hill towards the ground, mostly bedecked in red and black stripes. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The Dripping Pan, for those who haven’t been before is fairly unique amongst Ryman League grounds. You enter the ground at the top of the terracing, which is high enough to rival the prefabricated one at either end of Imperial Fields, before descending downwards to pitch level. It made me imagine that I was watching a lower league match in Scandanavia or Central Europe. Don’t ask me why. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Team news had come through on various smart hand held devices, (they’re still no smarter than the average Premier League captain as far as I can see) and perhaps the most obvious thing to note was the absence of <b>Greg Ngoyi</b> or <b>Elliott Charles</b> from the Matchday squad. At a time when you need goals, to be missing your first choice centre forwards is a real blow. That said, <b>Belal Aite-ouakrim</b>, who got the number 9 shirt, has been resembling a footballer once more in recent weeks and <b>Carl McCluskey </b>has been thriving just behind the centre forward as well.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Lewes</b>, who have had a fairly torrid winter off the park with the dismissal of former favourite <b>Steve King</b> for reasons unrevealed which resulted in a number of players leaving the club have in recent weeks steadied the ship under the stewardship of <b>Simon Wormull</b> and hauled themselves back into play-off contention. Before kick-off they stood a couple of places and three points behind the Greens. With <b>Steve Robinson</b>, and <b>Paul Booth</b> still very much part of the furniture at the Pan, this was likely to be a scrap. A big scrap in front of a very good crowd. And so it proved.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Hendon</b> settled the quicker of the two sides, as the 20 or so travelling fans melted seamlessly into the hoardes of <b>Lewes </b>faithful who had stayed behind the goal they were defending to enjoy a pint of the local liquid gold, and it all made for a very pleasant atmosphere. The <b>Glaswegian Four</b> were in fine fettle having already witnessed <b>Rangers</b> overcome <b>Motherwell</b> in the lunchtime SPL meeting treating the locals to their unique brand of banter.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Jerome Federico</b> began really well down the right flank getting <b>Lewis Hamilton</b> reversing rapidly (ho-ho-ho, F1 humour) on more than one occasion. He flashed a shot wide of the near post and sent a couple of dangerous balls into the box as well that were well dealt with by the <b>Lewes</b> back four. <b>Belal</b>, showing himself to be somewhere close to the form he was in at the beginning of last season, was causing <b>Max Hustwick</b> no end of problems and he was denied a first league goal of the season only by a wonderful save from <b>Matt Ingram</b> in the <b>Lewes </b>goal. The ball bounced nicely for the number 9 to strike from about 10 yards out, powerfully towards the roof of the net, yet the reaction from the <b>Lewes</b> custodian was superb, pushing the ball onto the top of the bar on its way over the top.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The breakthrough came on the quarter hour mark and it was no real surprise. <b>Belal</b> and <b>McCluskey</b> linking up extremely well with an exchange of passes that ended with <b>Belal</b> stretching just inside the penalty area to get to the ball before <b>Ingram</b> and send it rolling into the back of the net. Scorer collided with keeper and needed treatment, before lasting another five or so minutes and being withdrawn. One wag (me) suggested cruelly that he was suffering a nosebleed after finding the target, on in his place came <b>Isaiah Rankin, </b>about 50 minutes earlier than we would have liked.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I felt that we were still on top for much of the half, without ever really threatening to take the game by the scruff of the neck and kill <b>Lewes</b> off. The closest anyone came to doing that was <b>Rankin</b> who turned <b>Robinson</b> smartly and sent a powerful drive no more than a yard wide with <b>Ingram</b> beaten. However, at the other end, <b>Chris Breach</b> in an unfamiliar midfield role headed home a free kick on the stroke of half time only to see the goal disallowed for a linesman’s flag up. I was in no position to see who, what or indeed when was offside but I wasn’t going to argue with the official unlike a number of those behind <b>Rikki Banks’</b> goal. This should have provided the Greens with a warning, and if it did, it went totally unheeded.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I was behind the dugouts on my way around to the far end when the scores levelled just after half time. <b>Chris Breach</b> once again heading home from a set-piece to bring the home side level. This seconds after the same player had been denied by an excellent <b>Banks </b>save. Amusingly the Lewes bench were imploring the same assistant to raise his flag to disallow the effort, a genuinely amusing moment. However, any smile was wiped off my face not 60 seconds later when <b>Nathan Crabb</b> ended a game of pinball in the penalty area by slotting the ball home. The place erupted, and those in green looked utterly shellshocked.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Shell shock turned to abject horror as I finally arrived at the far end, <b>Banks</b> did very well to deny <b>Crabb </b>low down, but <b>Paul Booth</b> was the quickest to follow up ahead of any green shirted don and fire into the empty net. 3-1. It was 3-1. I checked the electronic scoreboard which confirmed that it was indeed 3-1. How had that happened? I could see our play-off hopes disappearing over the chalk-pitted hills and way off into the Sussex distance. This was like that match against <b>Tonbridge</b> yet a thousand times worse.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Undettered, <b>Lewes</b> continued to force the pace and look for more. <b>Banks </b>denied <b>Booth</b> with a smart block when the Rooks number 10 looked odds on to increase the <b>Hendon</b> misery. Somehow, the storm was weathered and we’d only had the roof blown off, windows smashed in and the walls decimated by the onslaught. Last season certain players would have lost their heads at this point, this time they kept them and plugged away. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Jack</b> <b>Mazzone</b> came on for his debut having been a deadline day signing on loan from <b>Woking</b> and looked quite lively, forcing <b>Ingram</b> into a good tip over late on. <b>Booth </b>had another effort ruled out dubiously for offside at the other end and <b>Banks</b> who had spent the first period largely unemployed would have delighted our wonderful government with his work-rate in the second half. The scoreline was given a dash of respectability as the game moved into time added on when <b>Scott Cousins</b> picked out the top corner with nonchalant aplomb, but it was too little too late. Led by the ever impressive <b>Steve Robinson</b> the home side saw out the remainder of the four minutes in relative comfort to record a vital win.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">It’s a long time since I’ve felt as deflated as I did at the final whistle. So many ifs and buts, yet ultimately, nothing. Credit <b>Lewes </b>for that second half, I haven’t seen anyone take us apart like that for quite some time, and if they are able to channel that kind of performance in their remaining five matches then I wouldn’t be surprised to see them finish in the top 5. It was extremely impressive yet I still feel the defeat was partially down to ourselves and the way we began the 2<sup>nd</sup> half. At least we’re not out of it completely, but we cannot afford any more lapses like that again. Our run-in looks favourable on paper, but paper and grass are vastly different surfaces. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">What I do know is that if we happen not to go up this season, and if <b>Lewes</b> happen not to go up this season, then I will be hoping with every sinew in my body that we meet in August next season. They’re everything I like in a Non League club. Well run, extremely good hosts and look set-up to take themselves (and this is an important point being a Community run club) forward strongly in the medium to long term. Good luck to them, a thoroughly good bunch.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">For another view of the game, I would urge you to have a look at the excellent <a href="http://theballisround.co.uk/2012/04/02/one-beer-two-pies-three-goals-four-minutes/#comment-29211">Ball Is Round</a> site for their take on proceedings.</div>Whitmarsh's Whiskershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06366879985557851787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625891224039709453.post-35147778871922221482012-03-30T03:13:00.001-07:002012-03-30T03:24:02.307-07:00That Man Is A Hero #2: Gary McCann, The Goalkeeper<link href="file:///D:%5CTEMP%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><link href="file:///D:%5CTEMP%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx" rel="themeData"></link><link href="file:///D:%5CTEMP%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml" rel="colorSchemeMapping"></link><style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">It was a bank holiday Monday at the end of March, presumably Easter Monday but I can’t be sure. Hendon were taking on Aylesbury United at Claremont Road in front of what today would count as a bumper crowd of 405 and in the Greens line-up was yet another new goalkeeper. Scott Ashcroft, Andy Harris, Jan Wagenaar, and Tony Wells (not to mention 45 minutes of David Speedie) had all filled the number 1 shirt with varying degrees of success throughout the season. The man chosen by Frank Murphy, himself in the job for a mere matter of weeks was his former custodian from Dulwich Hamlet, Gary McCann.</div><div class="MsoNormal">We lost that game 3-0 and there was little about the afternoon’s proceedings that suggested in any way that we might have witnessed the birth of a true Hendon legend.(Ah yes, legend, that oft overused and abused description in football, much like world-class or ‘quality / top top’ player). However, as time has worn on over the last 15 years (minus 1 day) the name Gary McCann has slowly but surely been etched, ever more heavily into Hendon folklore.</div><div class="MsoNormal">31<sup>st</sup> March 1997 was the day it all started and the same date, 15 years later could well play a pivotal role in shaping the club’s short-term on-field future as final preparations for the trip to the Dripping Pan tomorrow to play Lewes in what can only be described as a play-off six pointer are put in place.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Gary went on to play a key role in the end of season run that saw the side win all but one of their seven matches after his debut against Aylesbury and end the season in a heady 16<sup>th</sup> spot which looked very much impossible at the beginning of March that year. Perhaps the first sign that he was a little out of the ordinary as far as goalkeepers went was a glimpse of what happened in the 2-1 win at Hitchin Town. The home side were given a late penalty and Gary managed to get down well to save it. I have a feeling Rudi Hall was the man who took it, but I may well be quite wrong. However, this wasn’t just down to luck, but the fact that Gary had noticed a photograph in the Matchday programme of a penalty from Hitchin’s previous match. Noting which way the take sent the ball, he guessed that the player would do the same thing again. He did, Gary was right and we were on our way to one of the most comfortable and enjoyable run-ins I’ve witnessed as a fan.</div><div class="MsoNormal">The following season was another excellent one to watch. Finishing the season 4<sup>th</sup> in the table and picking up the Full Members Cup in the process, these achievements were eclipsed by events against Leyton Orient which I have described earlier in the season. In the replay at Brisbane Road, Gary was not alone in being outstanding. The match video shows a couple of outstanding saves, one in particular from a late header was quite brilliant, but what struck me most was the way he commanded his penalty area and caught pretty much everything that wasn’t already dealt with by the heads of one of his centre halves. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVxhEiAbtcarVs06EhCfqcdPFt4AxDbCFjqQZR3jO24h8kxskLmLzVeVBRN3o_UM4qHPG5hdcri7x3_yWYJBR3bPDydOhLR094ig6T2oi3sUwWLFaasWTq-dwosmaiNPwwXfM8k44AY0/s1600/Gary+McCann+Orient+1997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVxhEiAbtcarVs06EhCfqcdPFt4AxDbCFjqQZR3jO24h8kxskLmLzVeVBRN3o_UM4qHPG5hdcri7x3_yWYJBR3bPDydOhLR094ig6T2oi3sUwWLFaasWTq-dwosmaiNPwwXfM8k44AY0/s320/Gary+McCann+Orient+1997.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gary McCann not following the example of Paul Hyde, clearing from Carl Griffiths against Leyton Orient</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"> Those of you who know him will be aware that as goalkeepers go, Gary didn’t have the advantage of height compared with say, Dickie Wilmot, Will Viner or various others who have bedecked the yellow or red or grey jersey in recent years. However, he was one of the most commanding goalkeepers I’ve seen. Anything that came into his 6 yard box was his, he rarely dropped a cross and all of that helps to give the back three or four a lot of confidence. Not only that, but he was loud, and that was something that particularly lends itself to the making of a good goalkeeper. When Peter Schmeichel was at the peak of his powers, comment was often made of the way he used to bawl out Steve Bruce or Gary Pallister but no one doubted the motives behind him doing so. The penalty area was his domain and woe betide anyone who didn’t do his bidding in there. I still remember Gary very nearly coming to blows with Steve Bateman – hardly a shrinking violet himself - following a slight misunderstanding.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Gary continued to play a full part in the 1998/99 season, becoming the first goalkeeper I’ve seen in a Hendon shirt to be dismissed for a professional foul (I think, possibly handball outside the area) against Bromley at the beginning of the season, making a pretty astonishing 63 appearances and playing his own part in two more cup wins, the Full Members Cup for a third time, and perhaps more memorably in the Middlesex Senior Cup final against Wembley. The game went to penalties (two spot kicks in normal time had been already been converted) and Gary bravely stepped up to take one of Hendon’s five. Bravery quickly became misguided confidence as he sent his effort high over the angle of post and bar, sending Hendon fans behind the goal diving for cover as the ball disappeared somewhere in the direction of Edmonton. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Credit where credit is due though, Gary showed real strength of character to shrug off his woeful attempts at being Matt Le Tissier, instead wisely choosing to personify Mark Crossley from the next Wembley spot kick by making an excellent save. Some of us may have been questioning whether Gary really was a sports shop owner or whether in fact he was a script writer. Something that to this day remains unknown.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Twelve months later his career was in the balance. Already having suffered a nasty injury early in the season at Enfield, Gary came off worst in a challenge at Earlsmead against Harrow Borough in April with Damien Markman in the first half. He was carried off, and it soon became clear that we wouldn’t see him again that season, nor for some time afterwards either. His next appearance came in a Full Members Cup Tie at Heybridge at the end of December 2000, a game which was lost 6-5 but marked the beginning of Gary’s on field rehabilitation. He recovered enough to appear in a further 20 matches during the fraught end of the season that never ended before more surgery in the close season.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Frank Murphy moved on and Dave Anderson took over, his first match in charge being a friendly at home to Southend United. Gary played, despite not being anywhere near fit and probably did himself few favours. David Hook came in and Gary, when fitness was regained had spells away from Claremont Road with Slough Town, with whom he enjoyed further FA Cup glory, and Aylesbury United whose loyalty to Adam Wheeler saw them not really ever accept Gary. This hadn’t been lost on the Hendon faithful and their only loyalty to their former charge was returned when the Ducks came to Claremont Road in October 2002, losing 3-1 with Wheeler in goal, as they chanted Gary Mac’s name for much of the evening. He made 13 appearances over the three seasons of Dave Anderson’s stewardship, his final game keeping a clean sheet at Bedford Town after David Hook suffered back spasms before the match. In all Gary ended making 196 appearances for the club and had already put his name amongst the best goalkeepers to play for the club in the semi-professional era. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyaS5MDyGbPYXKEEdI-Z0BKprgdfq-T62ciH2Y9GzVBOZ_Css5B9XQfEsiSdJGWrH8FruWKaq3Q2hiDy1N7949t1PQEuEG9gDLUlIcBzOCpbZke3vPplqbHAklbaGTnIgftxq2C54YP9s/s1600/pondering.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyaS5MDyGbPYXKEEdI-Z0BKprgdfq-T62ciH2Y9GzVBOZ_Css5B9XQfEsiSdJGWrH8FruWKaq3Q2hiDy1N7949t1PQEuEG9gDLUlIcBzOCpbZke3vPplqbHAklbaGTnIgftxq2C54YP9s/s1600/pondering.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pondering his next move..</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Little did we know though, that this was only the start of the journey we would find ourselves on with him, as we shall see in part two.</div>Whitmarsh's Whiskershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06366879985557851787noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625891224039709453.post-73127845009565154372012-03-23T03:53:00.000-07:002012-03-23T03:53:31.588-07:00The Democratic Republic of Carshalton - An Update<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>ZH-CN</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">Back in August I didn’t go to one of Hendon’s most complete performances of the season when the Greens visited The Memorial Ground, Carshalton and came away with a 3-0 win. Some of you may remember my reasons for not attending, but those of you who haven’t read the piece I wrote some seven or so months ago can have a look here.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">To be honest, I was a little uneasy about posting the piece on-line as I wasn’t sure how accurate it was. A Robins fan who was in dispute with the ownership of the club kindly read the piece and was very kind about it, so I posted it and got a lot of very nice feedback.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">That was until recently when I received an email from a disgruntled reader. I replicate the correspondence word for word in the interests of balance and fairness.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dear Mr. Whiskers,</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I read with keen interest your blog post in August 2011 entitled ‘Why I Won’t Be Going To Carshalton’ and was horribly offended by the unflattering comparisons you made between the owner / manager of Carshalton Athletic Football Club and Our Dear Leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Kim Jong-Il.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Whilst I appreciate that no overt comparison was made, the tone of your post made the point you were trying to make blindingly obvious. </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To be quite honest I wouldn’t expect outsiders to understand just what we are trying to achieve here under the current leadership but believe me that any hardships ‘suffered’ by individuals do not simply happen for no reason. Every action has a consequence and as such, those who choose not to appreciate all the hard work I have done and improvements I have made as being for the good of all concerned should not be able to benefit from the fruits of my labour. I reserve my right in my capacity as the head of this operation to expel those who will not work with me.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I am not so pig-headed as to say that I haven’t made mistakes. I have. The most important thing though is to learn from your mistakes and there is no doubt that I have done s. I recognise the need<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to control, censor and filter press releases and communications with my subjects more tightly, improve crowd control at mass rallies to prevent any potential dissent from spreading amongst the 10% who I am doing my best to eradicate from society, and I realise that however much money you invest in a project, there is no guarantee that you will succeed in what you set out to do. When you don’t, the answer is simply to invest a little bit more next time around and reap the benefits.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">As a result of your post I have monitored events closely and run my own comparison between the leaderships of Carshalton Athletic FC and DPR Korea and below you can find my conclusions.</i><i><span><span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></div><ul><li><i>I have never and will never correspond with one of my followers by any so impersonal as email or Twitter</i></li>
</ul><ul><li><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I have never abused any of my dear followers with bad language.</i></li>
<li><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I have never hand-picked attendees at Party meetings for my own benefit.</i></li>
<li><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Although I have a big ego, it would never allow me to turn a football club into a mini totalitarian state. They should be inherited, never converted.</i></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I look forward to a full and unreserved apology for the unfortunate and unflattering way in which I have been portrayed upon your journal.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yours with nuclear fusion,</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Name supplied (Pyongyang)</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Unfortunately, I was unable to post my full and frank apology before my correspondent passed away, but I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge that life in North Korea and on the terraces at Carshalton over the last couple of years are very different and that my assertions were both misguided and ill-researched. I have sought to rectify this over the last couple of months with a lot of research and am not much better informed to say that it is not only those in the northern half of the Korean peninsular that would be embarrassed with any comparison made with the leadership of Carshalton Athletic, but that the majority of authoritarian regimes would find life at Colston Avenue repressive even by their standards.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Shortly after my post in August, I was heartened to see an offer from Paul Dipre to the fans than had been banned from home matches to open dialogue and bring an end to the dispute. The result was a joint statement from both parties that appeared to give the green light for everyone to start pulling in the same direction. Unfortunately, as time has progressed, that has not been the case.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I would urge anyone who is anyone to read the supporters forum here and compare them with the soundbites that appear in the Surrey Comet from the manager / owner before drawing their own conclusions as to just how disappointing the season has been from their perspective. ‘Judge me after 10 matches,’ the manager proclaimed as he presented his new signings on an all singing, all dancing power-point presentation that was projected from an airship directly onto the carpet-like turf at the Memorial Ground. After 10 matches Carshalton had 10 points. Not to worry, thought I as I looked back at my pre-season predictions that had them finishing in the play-offs, they just need to gel. They’ll be fine.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">An upturn in form around Christmas and New Year coupled with a great run in the FA Trophy that saw them beat Lincoln City suggested that this could well be the case but since the turn of March, they have lost five out of five. All by the odd goal, but scoring just once themselves in the process. With Laurent Hamici (last season’s top goalscorer in the division), Paul Vines (a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>proven goalscorer with Tooting & MItcham and Kingstonian) and Dean McDonald (has been injured, but proven at Conference South level) available a return of 36 goals from 34 matches isn’t good enough. To put that into some kind of perspective, only Aveley, Horsham and Hastings have scored less.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In fairness to Dipre, he has identified the problem. ‘To win games, we need to score more goals.’ He’s right. Although, with that level of insight, quite honestly my four year old daughter could be Carshalton manager as she is fully aware of the need to score more goals than the opposition. However, what she probably wouldn’t have been able to do is acknowledge just how challenging things have been this season. I’ve had to explain to her that sometimes players aren’t playing because they’re poorly – something which Dipre apparently didn’t consider at the start of the season ‘I did not expect the issues that have come up in terms of injuries we had at the start of the season and are having now’ fair enough perhaps, but a good manager would anticipate and act when injuries occur – let’s face it, Craig Edwards has had it vastly worse at Billericay this year and seems to be doing alright. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">‘For a first timer starting with a blank sheet, I could have done a lot worse,’ he said last week in the local press. It would have been interesting to see how much worse he would have been prepared to tolerate from another, more proven manager before pointing him towards the car park. There is little doubt that Carshalton have one of the healthier budgets in the division (if some rumours of what some players are earning are even half true then they’re on more money part-time than I am full-time) and so perhaps there is one thing we ought to be thankful to Dipre for it is dispelling the myth that you can give an open chequebook to anyone off the street and they’ll be able to build a squad of promotion challengers.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">At the start of the season Dipre said ‘my target is to end the season better than we started it.’ Taking four points from their first two matches was a good start, the way things are going it’s hard to see how even he, can talk up what will be at best, a mid-table finish as being any better than the start of the season, never mind last season. One perhaps for Andy Coulson to get his teeth into.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I hope we never find ourselves as Hendon fans in the situation Carshalton fans are currently in. Trying to support the club they love in the most testing of circumstances any fan could imagine. There’ll be a good number of them at Vale Farm tomorrow, and they deserve a lot better. I hope that Dipre realises that he is not the man for the job, that his ego can allow him to stand down in the summer and appoint a true footballing man to take charge of the team with the same backing that he has allowed himself. I will not be holding my breath.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Tomorrow we will be using those god-forsaken red footballs in aid of Sport Relief. In many ways it would have been more appropriate if it was a Comic Relief year instead.</div>Whitmarsh's Whiskershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06366879985557851787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625891224039709453.post-27667390125164816832012-03-14T06:09:00.001-07:002012-03-14T06:10:25.590-07:00Three More Points Banked<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">Looking back upon our win against <b>Lowestoft</b> a fortnight ago I lyrically waxed about our performance and play off prospects, possibly a little too much. The following Tuesday the Trawlerboys went south and lost to a resurgent <b>Hastings United </b>side whilst we spent last weekend labouring in the 2<sup>nd</sup> half once again on <b>Canvey Island</b>. I ought to have learned long ago to stop reading much into results here, there and everywhere because they mean absolutely Bo-Jiggles in the long run. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">So in the wake of this weekend’s 3 points against title chasers <b>AFC Hornchurch</b>, Harry Hyperbole is taking a break and will be replaced by Dougie Dourness.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">It was a glorious (<i>Ed – steady on, pleasant will suffice</i>) sunny Saturday in North West Wembley as <b>Hendon</b> looked to build on their recent improved home form against <b>Billericay’s</b> closest challengers as things stand for the title <b>AFC Hornchurch.</b> As I think I’ve said before, the Greens boast a good record against the Urchins, something which considering the heavy influence of <b>Messrs McBride</b> and <b>MacFarlane</b> and their record against <b>Hendon</b> with <b>Purfleet / Thurrock</b>, would have been unthinkable a decade ago.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">Before kick off on Saturday, <b>Hendon</b> were unbeaten in their previous five meetings with the Urchins, a run that included four wins. The visitors arrived at <b>Vale Farm</b> on the back of a defeat at home to <b>Hastings</b> in midweek that ended a run of four straight wins and clean sheets. Like the Greens, much of the Urchins’ success this season has been built on extremely solid foundations, as you’d expect from a side managed by <b>Jimmy MacFarlane</b> who, for the record, I rate as consistently the best centre half I’ve seen at this level.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">In the wake of that reverse <b>MacFarlane</b> rang the changes, <b>James Love</b> replaced <b>Michael Spencer</b> at number 2, <b>Simon Glover</b> was fit to come into the heart of midfield in place of <b>Andy Tomlinson</b>, <b>Tambeson Eyong</b> swapped places with <b>Jonathan Hunt</b> and <b>Lewis Smith</b> returned to the bench. Meanwhile, <b>Gary McCann</b> handed a second debut to on-loan goalkeeper <b>Rikki Banks</b>, who arrived on Friday from <b>Eastbourne Borough</b>, <b>James Parker </b>and <b>Scott Cousins</b> returned in the full back positions after missing the defeat to <b>Hampton </b>in midweek whilst <b>Greg Ngoyi </b>and <b>Elliott Charles</b> led the line up front.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">The game began at a frantic pace with the visitors very much on the front foot. I was impressed with them in the early stages. They moved the ball quickly, but with purpose trying to release the pacy men out wide in <b>Eyong</b> and former <b>Thurrock </b>and <b>Sutton </b>man <b>Fola Orinoshole</b> and get good balls into the box for the tall and dangerous <b>Martin Tuohy</b> and <b>Leon McKenzie</b> to attack. <b>Simon Glover</b> sat deep in midfield and passed the ball well, whilst <b>Frankie Curley</b> had license to get into the box and support the two strikers. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">Defensively they looked very strong, if not quite as physically imposing as they have in previous years. <b>Elliott Styles</b> and <b>Rickie Hayles</b> are as good a centre half partnership as you’re likely to see this season along with <b>Rob Swaine </b>and <b>Chris Wild</b> this season. It was noticeable in the first 20-25 minutes how much physically stronger they appeared than those in Green shirts, and although not quite hanging on, the back four were under a lot of pressure in those early stages. Going forward, as has often been the case when getting a foothold in a game, there was little in terms of service or support for the front men to enjoy. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b>Leon McKenzie</b> had the ball in the net early on with a looping header, but the assistant’s flag was already raised signalling offside giving the referee no option but to chalk the goal off. So he did with a great deal of subtlety I thought. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">That early effort apart, the <b>Hendon</b> back four, protected by the hard-working <b>Casey Maclaren</b> and <b>Elliott Godfrey</b> did well to keep <b>Banks</b> largely unemployed. At times it was a stretch, but neither <b>Tuohy</b> or <b>McKenzie</b> really had a sniff of goal, much of this was down to the efforts of <b>Parker </b>and <b>Cousins</b> at full back who although on the back foot dealt well with the threat from out wide.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">It took 26 minutes for the Greens to have their first effort on goal, <b>Casey Maclaren</b> lashing the ball quite a long way over the top of the bar from distance. Although not troubling <b>Joe Woolley</b> in the Urchins net, it signified the moment where <b>Hendon</b> decided that there were going to be two sides taking part in the game as an attacking force. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">Suddenly passes began to find their men, <b>Ngoyi</b> in particular worked the two centre halves harder as the service into him improved and perhaps most importantly, <b>Darren Currie</b> was able to exert some influence on proceedings down the left flank. On a couple of occasions he sold <b>James Love</b> a body swerve or a dummy with a moment of class and gleefully reaped the rewards (<i>Ed – watch those superlatives laddy)</i>. He was also responsible for the first effort of note on target in the first period as a free kick was half cleared to him on the right angle of the penalty area. Taking a touch he drilled a low drive through a crowd of bodies that <b>Woolley </b>did very well to not only get down to but also to hold. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">On the stroke of half time, the <b>Hornchurch</b> custodian bettered that save after the best <b>Hendon</b> move of the match down the left flank saw <b>Cap’n Cousins</b> swing a beauty of a cross in. <b>Carl McCluskey</b> got up and directed his header towards the top corner of <b>Woolley’s </b>net from about 8 yards out. The goalkeeper reacted brilliantly to get an extremely strong hand at full stretch to the ball and send it behind for a corner. I certainly haven’t seen too many better stops this season by a visiting goalkeeper. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">Any Greens fans holding their heads in despair soon experienced the full roller-coaster of emotions as <b>MacLaren </b>picked up the cleared corner down the right hand side, sent a cross over towards <b>Greg </b>at the near post. Someone got a touch and sent the ball off towards the far stick where <b>Elliott Charles</b> was able to climb and after a game of head, nose, shoulders, chest, bundled the ball far enough over the line for the well placed referee to signal goal before it was scooped back to give the home side the half time advantage. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/EFpm_t1qaUU/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EFpm_t1qaUU&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EFpm_t1qaUU&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">After the break, with <b>Elliott Charles</b> sitting a little deeper on the left flank and what looked to all intents and purposes like a 4-2-3-1 formation similar to the one with which I have achieved so much success with on Football Manager 11 with <b>FC Porto </b>(3 defeats in 57 matches for the record), in order to stem the tidal wave of blue and white shirts that was headed towards our penalty area.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">For the most part the early storm was weathered. A couple of long range efforts missed the target by a similar distance, and an impressive run down the right flank by <b>James Love</b> ended with the right back unable to get a decent cross away and <b>Banks</b> was able to smother with ease. <b>Fola Orilonishe</b> then sent an overhead kick towards goal from inside the penalty area which <b>Banks</b> managed to scoop slightly unconventionally around the post for a corner, but these efforts were the exception rather than the rule.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">The reason for this, not for the first time, was the excellent performance by the back four and two men shielding them in particular. There was nothing desperate about the way they defended, where possible they passed the ball out from the back in an attempt to relieve the pressure on them rather than just mindlessly hoof the ball onto the head of an opposing centre half for the ball to come straight back at them.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b>Jimmy MacFarlane</b> introduced the lively <b>Leon Smith</b> with half an hour remaining, popping him on into an inside left position place of <b>Orilonishe</b> and he brought a new dimension to <b>Hornchurch’s</b> attack with his pace and ability to cut inside. He used this to good effect on a couple of occasions, bringing one good low block from <b>Banks</b>, but for the most part, the move probably played into <b>Hendon’s</b> hands as he always looked to cut inside where things were already pretty congested. In theory this could have opened the left flank for <b>Joe Anderson</b> to overlap from left-back, but with <b>James Parker</b> able to pass <b>Smith </b>on when he came inside, he was able to deal effectively with the threat that <b>Anderson</b> provided.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">The game was sealed in rather predictable fashion. With <b>Isaiah Rankin</b> on the pitch and the game deep in stoppage time you know there’s every chance of a goal. And so it proved once again as the substitute broke into the visitors half, controlling a long clearance with a delightful first touch. He was away, with two Urchins in pursuit trying to pick his pocket and although they kept pace with the striker, they couldn’t muscle him off the ball without giving away a free kick and their place on the pitch as this was a very definite goalscoring opportunity. <b>Ranks</b> proved as much by powerfully sending the ball over the advancing <b>Joe Woolley</b> (who did well to get a hand to the effort) and into the roof of the net.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/dCOROoLbrvM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">As the <b>Greens</b> wheeled away, forward and back in delight, further back towards the halfway line it became obvious that <b>Ryan Wharton</b> and <b>Leon McKenzie</b> were involved in a ‘full and frank’ discussion. The <b>Hendon</b> number four very definitely landed a fairly meaty jab onto the <b>Hornchurch</b> number 10’s chin, but had the wisdom to do it whilst the official’s attention were otherwise engaged 80 odd yards away. I can’t imagine that <b>McKenzie </b>was entirely innocent as <b>Wharton </b>isn’t the kind of bloke to randomly smack a bloke without some kind of mitigating reason. Both benches became involved, one <b>Hornchurch</b> fan in particular showed his displeasure with <b>Wharton</b> extremely vocally and to be fair, I can understand why. The referee, once order had been restored, showed both men a yellow card, presumably because that was the simple thing to do having not witnessed the original incident.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">The goal was pretty much the final kick of the game, and another very impressive three points were racked up. The side moved up the table to 5<sup>th</sup>, back into the play-offs and with only <b>Cray</b> and <b>Wealdstone</b> in touching distance if they win their games in hand. One suspects that the home fixture with<b> Cray</b> on the 27<sup>th</sup> is going to play a massive part in proceedings, a win could be enormous. However, the key isn’t going to be one home match, it’s is likely to be how we get on against those sides with little to play for towards the end of the season and battling against relegation. For the time being, with a free midweek to get people focused for the tricky trip to <b>Concord</b> on Saturday, the fans can look back on another job very well done.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b><u>Player Ratings<o:p></o:p></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b>1. Rikki Banks:</b> Returned on Friday for his second loan spell at Hendon and performed very well. Highly rated by Lewes, Gary’s pulled off a masterstroke getting him in again. Looks more dominant and commanding than six years ago and picked up a well deserved blank sheet. <b>7/10<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b>2. James Parker:</b> Up against an experienced winger in Fola Orilonishe and then a different threat in Lewis Smith, Parks had one of his most impressive games of the season. Coming into form at a crucial point in the season. <b>8<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b>3. Scott Cousins:</b> Once again dealt well with a pacy opponent, keeping the service from his side of the pitch to two good centre forwards at a minimum. Linked up well with Darren Currie, and later Michael Lewis. <b>7<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b>4. Ryan Wharton:</b> Went dangerously close to blotting his copybook with a moment of madness just ahead of the final whistle, but up until that point had been as impressively solid and strong as ever this season. <b>7<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b>5. James Fisher:</b> Superb performance at centre half bringing an air of calm authority to proceedings defensively. Organises things well and compliments Ryan Wharton very nicely. Better in the air than you expect him to be given his relatively short stature. <b>8<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b>6. Casey Maclaren:</b> Another excellent midfield performance by the elder Maclaren. Kept his head after a first half booking, broke up Hornchurch’s rhythm and momentum well and supplied the cross for the first goal. <b>8<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b>7. Carl McCluskey:</b> Moments of brilliance paired with moments of infuriation. Unlucky not to score just before the first goal when his header was brilliantly saved, but had a tendency to overplay after beating a couple of men when simple passes were on. <b>7<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b>8. Elliott Godfrey:</b> Worked his nuts off alongside Casey Maclaren in a more defensive role, particularly 2<sup>nd</sup> half than perhaps he is used to but did the hard work very diligently. <b>8<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b>9. Greg Ngoyi:</b> As tireless as ever up front he didn’t get a sniff of goal and was well marshalled by Elliott Styles and Rickie Hayles. Replaced midway through the 2<sup>nd</sup> half. <b>6<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b>10. Darren Currie:</b> Once Hendon had got a foothold in the game, he came into his own and dictated things in the last quarter of an hour of the first half with some moments of quality. A great influence on the side. <b>8<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b>11. Elliott Charles:</b> Got the first goal and led the line with his usual strength and pace. Worked hard, managed to stay onside for most of the game before being replaced late on for Rankin. <b>7<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b>Substitutes<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b>12. Jamie Busby:</b> Late change for Darren Currie to help shore up the midfield</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b>13. Isaiah Rankin:</b> Once again a goalscoring cameo to seal the three points. Genuinely classy goal from start to finish <b>8<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b>17. Michael Lewis:</b> Gave us a better shape on the left flank midway through the 2<sup>nd</sup> half and allowed Elliott Charles to play as the target man. Worked hard and used the ball with intelligence <b>7<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b>Match Rating:</b> 6/10</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b>Star Man:</b> James Fisher</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b>Verdict:</b> Another excellent three points against another decent side once again underlining the side’s play-off credentials. It’s quite a few years since games against the top four sides in the division will have yielded four wins out of eight matches, the key in the run in is going to be the matches against sides lower in the division. All very much still to play for.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b>Note:</b> A big thanks to Rob Monger of AFC Hornchurch for his fine work with the video camera and making the goals available on youtube.</div>Whitmarsh's Whiskershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06366879985557851787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625891224039709453.post-68373581272971008752012-02-28T01:33:00.000-08:002012-02-28T01:33:05.034-08:00Ranks Awfully, I Sigh<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">I would have taken a point quite frankly. Before the game, at half time, ten minutes from the end. A goalless draw would have been fine. Maybe not ideal in the pursuit of a play-off spot given the games in hand our rivals have on us, but as that soon to be famous new adage goes, <i>Points in the bank are worth more than games in the tank.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on"><b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">Lowestoft</span></b></st1:placename><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;"> <st1:placetype w:st="on"><b>Town</b></st1:placetype></span></st1:place><b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">arrived at Vale Farm aching to get themselves back into some sort of title form. They began the day five points ahead of the Greens as <b>Billericay’s </b>current closest challengers for the title despite a disappointing run of form that had seen them pick up just seven points since the turn of the year and win one of their previous five matches in all competitions. In spite of that, they remained this correspondent’s pick for the title come the end of April.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">Speak of the Trawlerboys to any <b>Hendon</b> fan and the chances are they will break out in a cold sweat and quite probably have a heart attack. Funnily enough though, I don’t think our 8-1 trouncing in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Suffolk</st1:place></st1:city> just over a year ago was the lowest nor most embarrassing moment of last term. That honour went to the 8 man debacle on <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on"><b>Canvey</b></st1:placename><b> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Island</st1:placetype></b></st1:place>. This season’s trip to the eastern tip of the UK went much better – it would have had to have gone some to have been worse than last season’s efforts – but despite a good performance, the Greens lost by 2 goals to nil.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">With our return to form and the back four once again enjoying their miserly selves since shipping eight goals in two games around New Year, I thought that a point was a realistic hope if not perhaps a realistic expectation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">The Trawlerboys included two ex Football Leaguers of some note in their starting line-up, <b>Adrian Forbes</b> lining up at right back and new addition <b>Dean Sinclair</b> directing things from the heart of the <st1:place w:st="on"><b>Lowestoft</b></st1:place><b> </b>midfield. A collective sigh of relief went around the <b>Hendon</b> faithful when the news broke that their former heart-throb <b>Lubo Guentchev</b> would be starting amongst the <b>Lowestoft</b> substitutes, yet still their starting XI possessed more than enough quality and goal potential to give this scribe in particular mild and irregular palpitations.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTubNqo-bWwfsNWUmWdif_WbP99Sowzh8eEoeQdaUi-bHl1GlRKS7356WCiBKRCfDcm1Hjfkfo5XHeqqHZzrcInssloa3Te0CzGuekBqZYe_nh1Z5ARBybUOH8TYFRXayNMthfZSUK7g/s1600/Dean+Sinclair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTubNqo-bWwfsNWUmWdif_WbP99Sowzh8eEoeQdaUi-bHl1GlRKS7356WCiBKRCfDcm1Hjfkfo5XHeqqHZzrcInssloa3Te0CzGuekBqZYe_nh1Z5ARBybUOH8TYFRXayNMthfZSUK7g/s1600/Dean+Sinclair.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dean Sinclair, seen here playing for Barnet</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11pt;">The first half might as well not have bothered kicking off. About the only incidents of note were an extremely loud penalty claim by the visitors that was waved away (some eyewitnesses of a Greener persuasion suspected we got away with one there) and a superb flowing move that would have had Adrian Chiles looking for a third, fourth and probably fifth hand upon which to count the number of passes from </span><b style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11pt;">Lowestoft</b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11pt;"> ended with a powerful </span><b style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11pt;">Matt Nolan</b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11pt;"> effort that was turned aside with a decent block.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">On that note, <b>Matt Nolan</b> was completely unrecognisable from the player I remember as a youngster making his name at <b>Hitchin Town</b> more than a decade ago now. It took me the best part of half an hour to realise who he was (I thought for quite a while it was former <b>Harrow</b>, <st1:place w:st="on"><b>Wimbledon</b></st1:place> and sundry others target man <b>Darren Grieves</b>). I always thought of him as more of a number 10 than a number 9, a second striker as opposed to a target man. Just goes to show how much I know.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">For the Greens with their 4-5-1 formation (or 4-4-1-1) <b>Greg Ngoyi</b> received little service or support not to mention no change from the strong centre half pairing of <b>Stuart Gaughren</b> and <b>Scott Mitchell.</b> The quality of ball forward from the back and midfield wasn’t great, and part of this was down to the impressive quality of <st1:place w:st="on"><b>Lowestoft</b></st1:place><b>’s</b> pressing game. Led from the front by <b>Chris Henderson</b>, no <b>Hendon</b> player was given time on the ball and this led to possession being recycled time and again. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">The deep lying midfielders for either side <b>Dean Sinclair</b> and <b>Casey Maclaren</b> were probably the best players on the pitch in the first half which says a lot for the scrappy quality that was on show. I think this position is the one in which the elder <b>Maclaren</b> excels in best. What you know you will get from him is 100% running and commitment, but when deployed wide in midfield for example, sometimes the quality you might want in terms of the final ball is lacking. When able to keep things nice and simple he looks a very good player, as does <b>Kevin</b> when playing the same role. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">Half time came with the game goalless and as coincidence would have it, that’s how the 2<sup>nd</sup> period would begin.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">Gary Mac</span></b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;"> made a change at the break with <b>Elliott Charles</b> replacing <b>Jamie Busby</b> and joining <b>Greg </b>up front and immediately, we had more purpose and threat about our play. I think both our main strikers (I’m not including <b>Isaiah Rankin </b>in this because I think his main threat is coming off the bench) are better when playing up front with someone else and the ‘little and large’ combination that <b>Greg </b>and <b>Elliott</b> provide works very well. Faced with the physical presence of <b>Charles</b>, all of a sudden the two <st1:place w:st="on"><b>Lowestoft</b></st1:place> centre halves looked quite a lot less secure.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">Charles</span></b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;"> hit the bar with a close range header from a superb <b>Darren Currie </b>corner but was ruled to have impeded <b>Andy Reynolds</b> in the <st1:place w:st="on"><b>Lowestoft</b></st1:place><b> </b>goal. It was noticeable just how much pressure the visiting custodian was subjected to when the Greens had set pieces around the penalty area and it was clear why. At no point did he look secure when the ball was floating around in the air around his head throughout the afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">To be fair to <b>Reynolds</b>, he may well have been unsettled by accepting the award for the most pointless caution of the season when, after being told on three or four occasions by the referee’s assistant stood no more than 10 yards away from him to move the ball back before taking a free kick and refusing to do so the referee was forced to run 40 odd yards to brandish the yellow card. Whilst some may think the officials were being pedantic (and to some extent they were), that doesn’t excuse <b>Reynolds’</b> unwillingness to take the kick from the place the official wanted him to. Particularly having already been made to re-take the kick, to commit the same offence again is quite frankly bordering on idiocy.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">As the game wore on, it became increasingly likely that the breakthrough would come through outrageous fortune or reckless misadventure. Just past the hour mark a backpass from <b>Scott Cousins</b> bounced awkwardly on the sandy, uneven surface and over the swinging boot of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><b>Berkley</b></st1:place></st1:city><b> Laurencin.</b> Under pressure from the ever lurking <b>Henderson</b>, the goalkeeper did pretty well to recover before the <b>Lowestoft</b> forward but was extremely fortunate as his clearance rebounded off of <b>Henderson </b>from a yard or two out and luckily for him, ricocheting off the outside of the post. Sigh of relief breathed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">Elliott Godfrey</span></b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;"> finally had the Greens’ first serious effort on goal midway through the period pouncing on another flap by <b>Reynolds</b>, but his effort was well blocked by a sprawling <b>Gaughren</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">The breakthrough when it did come was due to an enormous slice of fortune, and a sprinkling of misadventure as <b>Currie’s</b> through ball should have been dealt with by <b>Reynolds</b> and substitute <b>Stuart Ainsley</b> under pressure from <b>Rankin</b>. Somewhere amongst the visitor’s communications wires were crossed and as <b>Reynolds </b>advanced, what should have been a simple back header sailed over the goalkeeper’s head and with <b>Rankin </b>having gambled as all good poachers do, he stooped to head home his third late goal from the bench in his last three league appearances. Ole Gunnar Solksjaer? Pah! Not needed thanks.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFRk5nAuG4lSGzFv5v1CqDw0yTGtbzhggTPlS8Dgyc5nfnbbxCqevGu0oT7N82TCIa8PFSuTT6JuMSTNGQLPQIdgVhvT7M8UZPH_L_v2kwQ0aOsaEKY92ECr71nhezihPlnAiDQ2uycc/s1600/Rankin+Goal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFRk5nAuG4lSGzFv5v1CqDw0yTGtbzhggTPlS8Dgyc5nfnbbxCqevGu0oT7N82TCIa8PFSuTT6JuMSTNGQLPQIdgVhvT7M8UZPH_L_v2kwQ0aOsaEKY92ECr71nhezihPlnAiDQ2uycc/s1600/Rankin+Goal.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is becoming a more and more familiar pose for Ranks by the week</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11pt;">There were eight minutes plus four added minutes for the Greens to hold out and by and large they did so without too many scares. </span><b style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11pt;">Berkley </b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11pt;">who had previously done well to touch a curling effort from </span><b style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11pt;">Rob Eagle</b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11pt;"> (I think) just over the top, had a routine save to make from an </span><b style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11pt;">Adam Smith </b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11pt;">free kick and </span><b style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11pt;">Matt Nolan </b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11pt;">curled a shot just wide of the goalkeeper’s left upright but despite a lot of huff and puff, the Green wall at the back remained steadfast.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">Not for the first time this season, immense credit has to go to the back four, in particular the two centre halves. <b>Ryan Wharton</b> was once again outstanding, reading the game well and proving himself more than able to deal with the physical threat of <b>Nolan</b>. Next to him <b>James Fisher</b> once again looked the part, marshalling things with calm cool effectiveness. Is this our best partnership at the back since <b>Cooper </b>and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><b>Butler</b></st1:place></st1:city>? It’s early days yet, but they quite possibly are.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">At the whistle, the home players and fans celebrated a result that could probably rival the win against <b>Sutton United</b> at <b>Vale Farm</b> as the best result since we moved there. I came away with the feeling that we matched one of the main contenders for the title and although I think on balance a point apiece would have been fair reward for both sides, to come out on top in a match like that shows that actually, we have a real chance of seriously challenging for the top five this season. This time last year I think we’d have lost that game 3-0. Things have changed and there is belief, determination and perhaps most importantly togetherness amongst the players. The celebration that greeted <b>Rankin’s</b> goal was proof of that.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">Next up it’s back to cup action against local boys <b>Harrow Borough</b> as the Greens seek to reach their second semi final of the season in a week. Having already played <b>Boro</b> three times this season and come out on top just the once, <b>Gary Mac</b> will be very keen to put the record straight and continue our proud recent tradition in the London Senior Cup.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><u><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">Player Ratings<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Gautami;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">1. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Berkley</st1:place></st1:city> Laurencin</span></b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">: Another clean sheet for the goalkeeper, the third on the spin and 19<sup>th</sup> of the season for the club. I certainly cannot remember this many blanks sheets before. Not really tested, but dealt well with almost everything thrown at him. <b>7/10<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">2. James Parker:</span></b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;"> Faced with the tricky test of keeping former Norwich and Luton man Rob Eagle quiet, he dealt with his task well. Defended superbly, but perhaps lacking a bit of quality at times, first half particularly with his distribution. <b>7<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">3. Scott Cousins:</span></b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;"> Another very good performance by the skipper. No nonsense defending kept Michael Frew quiet down the <st1:place w:st="on">Lowestoft</st1:place> right flank and linked up well when able to with Currie down the left. <b>7<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">4. Ryan Wharton:</span></b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;"> I think before long I might need to think up new superlatives for the centre half. Another superb performance marshalling a dangerous opponent in Matt Nolan. Read the game well, strong and rarely beaten in the air or on the ground. <b>9<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">5. James Fisher:</span></b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;"> Has slotted in beautifully at centre half alongside Wharton and looks as though he’s played there all his life. I don’t know, perhaps he has. Calm on the ball, read the game well and deceptively good in the air as well. <b>8<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">6. Casey Maclaren:</span></b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;"> Playing in the holding role in which Kevin has impressed so much this season, Casey gave probably his best performance that I’ve witnessed this term. Strong, two excellent challenges in particular and kept the game simple in possession. <b>8<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">7. Carl McCluskey:</span></b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;"> Preferred to Michael Lewis or Jerome Federico in a largely wide midfield role, although occasionally getting forward to assist Greg Ngoyi up front. Worked very hard and used the ball well in the second half in particular. <b>7<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">8. Elliott Godfrey:</span></b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;"> Picked up a booking for a mistimed challenge in the first half, Elliott was quietly efficient and came more into the game after the break as he was given more space to pull the strings in midfield. <b>7<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">9. Greg Ngoyi:</span></b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;"> Worked extremely hard and almost managed to break the shackles of the two opposing centre halves in the first half without the ball falling his way. Helped with the addition of Elliott Charles at half time, lively stuff from the top scorer. <b>7<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">10. Darren Currie:</span></b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;"> Simply oozes class. Have I said that about him already? Able to last 90 minutes and barely break sweat, yet works as hard as anyone on the pitch. Very neat and tidy, keeps things simple, keeps possession and capable of the killer ball. <b>7<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">11. Jamie Busby:</span></b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;"> Quiet first half from the midfield dynamo who still seems to be trying to shake off the effects of his time out of the side injured. Replaced at half time in a tactical move that definitely paid dividends. <b>6<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">Substitutes<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">12. Dave Diedhiou:</span></b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;"> Played about 90 seconds and hoofed the ball towards Greenford once.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">13. Isaiah Rankin:</span></b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;"> What can you say? Another late goal, although by his own standards this one was practically opening minute. Gambled on a mistake and reaped the dividends. Another classy little cameo. <b>8<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">15. Elliott Charles:</span></b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;"> Gave us an outlet after the break and certainly unsettled the <st1:place w:st="on">Lowestoft</st1:place> back four with his pace, power and strength up front. <b>7<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">Match Rating:</span></b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;"> 4/10<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">Man Of The Match:</span></b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;"> Ryan Wharton<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;">Verdict:</span></b><span style="font-family: Gautami; font-size: 11.0pt;"> An excellent three points that confirms us as definite contenders for a play-off berth now. Good results against Bury, Hornchurch and now <st1:place w:st="on">Lowestoft</st1:place> have proven that we can mix it with the top sides in the division. This win was as much about brawn and spirit as anything else and although a goalless draw would probably have been fair, I’m certainly not going to be writing to the League and asking them to take the extra two points away from us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Whitmarsh's Whiskershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06366879985557851787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625891224039709453.post-91038296728845111362012-01-18T03:33:00.000-08:002012-01-19T03:01:37.693-08:00A Sparkling Return?? Developments on and off The Pitch<div style="text-align: -webkit-left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I haven’t posted in ages, but it's not as bleak as it seems. That reminds me of a song lyric, but I can’t think which one. If it comes to me, I’ll let you know. On with the show.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">On the pitch, after the autumn slump things have stabilised somewhat with progress being made in the two county cups, and a place just outside the play-offs being maintained in the league. <b>Frank Sinclair</b> has departed the scene, joining <b>Colwyn Bay</b> in the Blue Square North, a club which is an awful lot closer to his Bolton home than Vale Farm. That he commuted so far shows the measure of the guy, and he leaves with my very best wishes. Replacing him is <b>Lewis Hunt</b>, who has more than 250 league appearances under his belt following his release from <b>Bradford City</b>. One suspects that <b>Junior Lewis’</b> contact list on his cellphone had something to do with this addition and reports suggest that he looked the part on his debut at <b>Met Police</b>. The big loser in all of this seems to be <b>Michael Peacock</b> who in spite of a decent start to the season, has had to be content with grabbing the odd piece of action at <b>Northwood </b>and <b>Chalfont St. Peter</b> to maintain match fitness.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The injury situation is easing, both <b>Elliott Charles</b> and <b>Greg Ngoyi</b> have returned to the fray in fine form, the latter having taken his tally to 13 goals for the season in just 17 starts. It’s quite a few seasons since we have had a player showing that kind of an eye for goal. It was noticeable against <b>Bury Town</b>, when he went through on goal just before half time to equalise that I expected him to score. Not just hit the target, but to find the net. Although since the days of <b>Whitmarsh</b> and <b>Lewis</b> we have seen decent strikers in the shape of <b>Eugene Ofori</b>, <b>Dominic Gentle, Brian Haule</b> and <b>Wayne O’Sullivan</b>, I don’t think any of them match the clinical edge that Greg has shown this term when fit. Not only that, but his response to being left on the bench for tactical reasons at Imber Court recently was outstanding. Given a start in the London Senior Cup tie at <b>Barking</b>, he grabbed his chance by netting the winner in fine style. Further back, <b>Jamie Busby</b> is back in action, <b>James Fisher</b> is beginning to settle in quite well either in midfield or more recently at centre half, and <b>Jerome Federico </b>and <b>Michael Lewis’</b> return to fitness has given us an extra dimension out wide with a bit more pace and trickery.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">With 17 matches remaining, we sit 8<sup>th</sup> in the table just 3 points behind <b>Cray</b> in 5<sup>th</sup> place. As time has gone on it has become clear that there isn’t a side that is obviously a class above the rest of the division as <b>Dover</b> or <b>Dartford</b> and to some extent <b>Sutton</b> have shown in recent years. There is all to play for and if we can sort out our home form (1 win from our last 10 matches at Vale Farm) then everything is in place for a genuine tilt at the play-offs. If pushed to say now, I suspect we may finish just short of them, but if we are able to find the consistency that we had at the start of the season again, then there is no reason why our season couldn’t conceivably last for another week.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Claremont Road</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Of as much interest to events on the pitch have been recent developments in the sale of the freehold of the site where the Claremont Road lies has been put on hold following an intervention from Liberal Democrat Councillor Jack Cohen who has called for alternative uses for the land. <a href="http://whitmarshwhiskers.blogspot.com/2011/08/claremont-road-finally-rip.html">As I explained in the summer,</a> Barnet Council approved plans to sell the freehold to Montclaire Developments Limited amidst much opposition from local residents, who have cited a historical covenant dating from the 1920s protecting the site from such a move in their objections. More information can be found in this <a href="http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/9462108.Council_hits_pause_button_on_sale_of_Hendon_FC_site/">Hendon Times article</a>, and this piece here from <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-16491538">BBC London News.</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Setting aside my thoughts on Barnet Council in particular, and many Conservative led councils in London (they have no place here), I truly hope that the covenant is upheld and the land protected because the knock-on effect if the sale of the land to Montclaire could have a severe impact on similar open spaces throughout London. In a year when London is hosting the Olympics and the Government are falling over themselves to talk about the legacy of the games, cases such as this lead one to wonder whether or not these words are nothing but hot air.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The eagle-eyed amongst you may have seen a familiar face in the photo on the Hendon Times article in the shape of current club chairman Simon Lawrence. Which perhaps begs the question, why weren’t the Supporters Trust, or fans, more vocal in their opposition to the ground situation. Afterall, we knew long before we were eventually kicked out that the end of our time at the famous old ground was nigh. The answer is simple.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">A couple of years before the ownership of the club transferred into Trust hands, the previous owners had made it abundantly clear that they would no longer fund the football club. That was entirely their prerogative and as such, the Trust agreed to finance the playing side of the operation to keep the club alive. The only alternative was extinction. In spite of this, the previous owners of the club held all the aces. They were sitting on the goldmine that the lease on the ground provided. Although presumably the lease was in the name of Hendon Football Club Limited, they were separate from the Trust. As such, the owners were happy not to call in the alleged £3million (ballpark figure) that the club owed knowing that the sale of the lease, as and when it went through, would more than cover what they were owed. Hence, the agreement was made with the Trust to hand the football club over debt free once the freehold on the ground was sold. At any point in that period, powers that be behind the scenes could have closed Hendon Football Club down. They had no interest in whether or not the club survived, their names were on the lease. Hendon Football Club was an irrelevance.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">When the announcement of discussions being opened on the sale of the freehold of the land was made in the summer, Barnet Council was opening negotiations with Hendon Football Club Limited. Who then were Montclaire Developments and how did they arrive on the scene all of a sudden? Again, the answer is simple. A quick google search divulged that the registered director of Montclaire Developments is Andrew Landsberg and that Hendon Football Club Limited is listed as a subsidiary of Montclaire Developlments. They are one and the same. Quite what transpired to bring about the sudden eviction of the team from the ground in September 2008 is unknown and would be mere conjecture, but one does wonder.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I don’t think for one minute that any halt on the sale of the freehold suddenly means that there is light on the horizon for anyone harbouring hopes of a return to Claremont Road. One only has to see the state of the site in the BBC London report to understand the level of investment that would be required to return the ground to a level fit for senior football, never mind Ryman Premier Level. Even if the deal between the council and Montclaire fell through, any hopes the club had of returning to the ground would be based on us receiving planning permission, support and funding from the council, as well as various other foundations as well as what the club could raise itself. The club on its own cannot hope to fund a new ground. Whether in these austere times individuals can find significant amounts to donate to any fundraising effort for a new ground remains doubtful. That is before we even begin to think about garnering the necessary approvals and support from Barnet Council. It doesn’t take a genius to predict how difficult (or perhaps impossible) that will prove to be. Nonetheless, it will be very interesting to watch how things develop.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Oh, by the way. The lyric I was thinking of? It was from this.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Goodnight </div>Whitmarsh's Whiskershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06366879985557851787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625891224039709453.post-3352239433312148142011-12-06T02:46:00.000-08:002011-12-06T02:46:59.874-08:00Put Through The Grinder - Hendon 1-1 Aveley<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><b>Hendon 1-1 Aveley<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>Ryman League Premier Division<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>Saturday 3<sup>rd</sup> December 2011<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>Vale Farm<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">Nearly 72 hours have passed since the end of our game at the weekend and I still cannot decide whether we should have won the game, been happy with a point or thought ourselves fortunate to have come away with as much as that. At the end of an open and entertaining 2<sup>nd</sup> half I was disappointed not to have won the game. The amount of possession we had after a turgid first half an hour or so was, whilst not quite of Barcelona height levels of dominance, as high as I’ve seen us have this term so far. Yet, in spite of all the possession and territory, apart from a comfortable save towards the end of the first half, <b>Dave McCartney</b> in the <b>Aveley</b> goal wasn’t stretched. It was the 'siege' of Tobruk.</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">To <b>Aveley’s</b> credit, they made life difficult for us, particularly after going ahead through a superb drive from <b>Sean Bonnett-Johnson</b> that I thought <b>Berkley</b> did quite well to get a hand to, even if he did only help the ball into the top corner of the net. The goal came about, not for the first time this season, after a run from deep by an opponent (in this case the lively <b>Abs Thompson</b>) that was unchecked by the retreating <b>Hendon</b> defence and as the ball fell some 25 or so yards out it was met with interest (and then some) by the <b>Aveley </b>enforcer.</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>Eliott Charles</b> and <b>Greg Ngoyi</b> were fit enough at last to take their places on the <b>Hendon</b> substitutes bench but <b>Frank Sinclair,</b> <b>James Parker</b> and <b>Mauro Vilhete</b> were all unavailable. <b>Dave Diedhiou </b>moved to right back, <b>Michael Peacock</b> replaced <b>Sinclair</b>, <b>Carl McCluskey</b> came into midfield and <b>Jerome Federico</b> made his first start for the club providing support to <b>Isaiah Rankin</b>, who once again worked his socks off up front.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPq4tGJ-46P93moCWu0fD1zc94d9Bga8910jHqPmJFmF5oB-dqpL9wWSRsN4W8Kb2U0mi88My71hL-k-uOAPOyOzfGkNHj5q6GbN38ZDo-m6kkzLo0a5WQ4Oax-pwojkm2ckWYyE1KCE/s1600/Federico.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPq4tGJ-46P93moCWu0fD1zc94d9Bga8910jHqPmJFmF5oB-dqpL9wWSRsN4W8Kb2U0mi88My71hL-k-uOAPOyOzfGkNHj5q6GbN38ZDo-m6kkzLo0a5WQ4Oax-pwojkm2ckWYyE1KCE/s1600/Federico.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lively first start for Jerome Federico provided much of Hendon's weekend threat</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">As I’ve already said, the first half hour was a turgid, boring, dull affair full of overhit long balls and powder-puff efforts on goal. Neither goalkeeper was needed save for mopping up a few loose balls and taking goal kicks. I’ve said before that I don’t have an issue with <b>Hendon</b> playing long. It can be a sensible tactic, especially when <b>Charles</b> is up front but when he isn’t up top to hit, then the ball needs to be aimed into channels for the likes of <b>Vilhete</b> when fit, and on Saturday <b>Jerome Federico</b> to use their pace on. All too often in that opening spell, the ball was hit too straight and picked out no one but the opposition goalkeeper.</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>Aveley</b> played some neat stuff, prompted by the neat and tidy presence of <b>Joe Keith</b> at number 8 and the pace of two genuine out and out wide players in <b>Thompson </b>and <b>Evans Kouassi</b> augmenting the burly figure of <b>Ellis Remy</b> at number 9. Although lively, the visitors threat was limited. <b>Remy </b>lobbed tamely wide of the target and <b>Ryan Wharton</b> bravely blocking a powerful effort from either <b>Keith </b>or <b>Paul Shave </b>(my memory has failed at this point). </div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">The Greens finally came alive late in the half when <b>Federico</b>, who was impressive throughout with his direct running, skill and intelligent use of the ball ran at the <b>Aveley </b>back four and curled a shot from the edge of the box no more than a couple of feet past the flying <b>McCartney’s </b>left hand post. <b>Rankin</b> then lobbed <b>McCartney</b> after seizing on <b>Harry Milton’s</b> casual back header, and landed the ball on the roof of the net. Whilst the number 9 would probably have scored if he had gone low, the ball didn’t really come down for him and he had to improvise. <b>Elliott Godfrey</b> fired a powerful volley glancing against the crossbar on its way over the top after a corner hadn’t been cleared before <b>Federico</b> forced the save from the <b>Aveley </b>custodian. Had <b>Hendon</b> taken one of these openings in the last 10-15 minutes of the half, I think we would have gone on to claim all three points. </div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">We didn’t score and we didn’t go on to claim all three points. We played some pretty intricate stuff in the 2<sup>nd</sup> half, keeping the ball well and probing, but found the <b>Aveley</b> back line able to deal comfortable with what they were faced with. <b>Charles</b> and <b>Ngoyi</b> were both introduced, and although the former equalised with 6 minutes remaining, remaining onside long enough to nod <b>Darren Currie’s </b>sumptuous (and it really was) cross that was arced towards the far post yelling ‘NOD ME IN!’ at the top of its voice. <b>Charles </b>did, for his 5<sup>th</sup> goal of the season, and we expected a tumultuous crescendo of pressure as the game approached its conclusion.</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">Despite our best efforts, it never really transpired that way. Not even the late late introduction of <b>Junior Lewis</b> some 12 and a half years after his previous competitive outing for the Greens could affect proceedings. Indeed, <b>Aveley</b> could have snatched the points late on when <b>Daniel Francis</b> turned a low right wing cross just over the top of <b>Berkley’s</b> goal. In actual fact, <b>Aveley</b> provided a real threat going forward on the break – <b>Kouassi </b>in particular had two or three decent openings after excellent runs but could only leather the ball over the covered terracing behind the goal instead of into the top corner of the net. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAd4CgMAMwHGlGXq6BYPsBpsZJWDHiwudoas1rcqqkERjxoeL5JvEAHXMxO1Y7ObG_m44yWenjv2blvKfXG09QzRc6Z8qPh0dKhaYqJdHZ3aARefoh0_rUno-KDKW29LaoZli_Pp1MbM/s1600/Junior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAd4CgMAMwHGlGXq6BYPsBpsZJWDHiwudoas1rcqqkERjxoeL5JvEAHXMxO1Y7ObG_m44yWenjv2blvKfXG09QzRc6Z8qPh0dKhaYqJdHZ3aARefoh0_rUno-KDKW29LaoZli_Pp1MbM/s1600/Junior.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Junior in familiar coaching pose</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">I think on balance a point apiece was fair enough. The feelings of disappointment soon evaporated as the realisation dawned on me that really, we didn’t do enough with our possession to warrant anything more. <b>Aveley</b> will battle hard in their fight against the drop, that much is obvious, but I am not sure whether there are four sides that will finish below them. Certainly, I thought <b>Leatherhead</b> were a better side a few weeks ago, but of course, I’m only basing my thoughts on the evidence of one look at either side. There are some decent people involved at <b>Aveley</b>, and <b>Lee Hodges</b> seems to want his side to try and play football as well as scrap and fight for every available point. I can get right behind that kind of idea and hope dearly that when we travel to Field Mill on the last day of the season, that the Millers are safe from relegation and we have our play-off spot guaranteed. Wishful thinking perhaps…</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><u>Player Ratings<o:p></o:p></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>1.Berkley Laurencin – </b>Overall quite a quiet match for the Hendon custodian who had little chance of keeping the goal out. Otherwise commanding and solid. <b>6/10<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>2. Dave Diedhiou – </b>Played at right back and gave his most commanding performance for a few weeks. Dealt reasonably well with the pacy threat of Evans Kouassi and got forward to support the attack when able to. <b>7<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>3. Scott Cousins – </b>Defended well, his ability to time challenges has been tested quite a lot this season and he rarely comes off 2<sup>nd</sup> best. Linked up well with Darren Currie down the left flank at times. <b>7<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>4. Ryan Wharton</b> – Yet another excellent performance by the number 4. As well as his ability both on the ground and in the air, I was really impressed with his reading of the game that on half a dozen occasions enabled him to avert danger. <b>8<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>5. Michael Peacock – </b>Defended pretty well, did well in the air and on the deck. Was guilty at times of being a little casual in possession though. <b>6<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>6. Carl McCluskey – </b>Quite an industrious performance in a more central role than usual. Some lovely touches in the 2<sup>nd</sup> half and a couple of purposeful runs, much more his old self after a few weeks of struggle. <b>7<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>7. Kevin Maclaren</b> – I’ve been impressed with Kevin Mac recently. Quietly and efficiently patrols the midfield, passes the ball simply, but well and breaks up the opposition’s rhythm in midfield very well. <b>7<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>8. Elliott Godfrey – </b>Unlucky in the first half to see his powerful volley glance off the crossbar, and used the ball well in his role wide on either flank. Lively performance. <b>7<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>9. Isaiah Rankin – </b>Worked tirelessly again up front chasing lost causes and unsettling the two big Aveley centre halves. Some touches of real class, perhaps will be disappointed not to have scored in the first half. <b>6<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>10. Darren Currie – </b>Got a good look at him in the 2<sup>nd</sup> half as he played down the right flank. On a couple of occasions he sent more than one defender the wrong way with a body swerve. Worked hard, provided the goal with a delightful cross. Classy. <b>7<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>11. Jerome Federico - </b> The liveliest attacking threat of the afternoon. Ran directly with pace, showed some purpose and was unlucky not to come away with a goal. Impressive. <b>8<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><u>Subs<o:p></o:p></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>12. Elliott Charles – </b>Infuriatingly caught offside three or four times in good positions again, but nodded home the equaliser for his 5<sup>th</sup> goal of the season. <b>6<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>14. Greg Ngoyi – </b>Really pleased to see Greg back in action and showed his intent within seconds of his introduction with a powerful shot that was blocked. Looked lively and interested. <b>6<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>17. Junior Lewis – </b>Late introduction, showed an unlikely turn of pace to chase a defender down though.</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>Star Man: </b>Jerome Federico</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>Match Rating:</b> 6/10</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>Verdict:</b> A good point for Aveley, this may turn out to be a decent one for Hendon come the end of the season. I doubt we would have gained the point 3 or 4 weeks ago and with players slowly coming back to fitness, hopefully we can have a good seasonal period.</div>Whitmarsh's Whiskershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06366879985557851787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625891224039709453.post-34452933653983350862011-12-02T02:32:00.000-08:002011-12-02T02:34:40.372-08:00Four Good Points, Aveley Approaching and RIP Steve Cheesewright<div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">After the defeat against <b>Leatherhead</b> a few weeks ago I said that the next five matches, all against title and play off challengers could end up making or breaking our season. At that point, having lost at home to the Tanners, <b>Met Police</b> and only drawn with <b>Horsham</b>, anyone offering me a return from those five matches of 7 points would have received a warm hug and maybe even a little peck on the cheek. By and large, the performances since the first whistle against <b>Canvey Island</b> have shown a vast improvement on what we witnessed prior to that. It is perhaps telling that in these last five matches, <b>Gary Mac </b>has by and large been able to field a pretty settled XI. The injury situation seems to have settled down a little and the additions of <b>Mauro Vilhete, Frank Sinclair</b> and <b>Darren Currie</b> does seem to have had a slightly galvanising effect on things. </span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">As a result, we see ourselves going into December sat in 5<sup>th</sup> position having played 18 league matches already. Barring a winter of epic proportions, fixture congestion ought not to be an issue this term. We have two cup competitions to come and ought to be able to fully concentrate of making progress in each of them so quiet optimism has been renewed, particularly when you consider <b>Aveley</b>, <b>Tooting & Mitcham</b> and <b>East Thurrock United</b> make up our next run of league fixtures. I am hesitant to start setting targets and making predictions because as we’ve already seen this season, the league table means absolutely nothing on the pitch.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Our week began with a solid performance at <b>Cray Wanderers</b> whose season up until now had largely matched ours. A great start followed by a slightly rougher patch and then some signs again of life. Remarkably, <b>Cray</b> were able to name 3 players in their starting XI with hat-tricks to their names this season already, and a fourth on the bench. They promised a stern test of <b>Hendon’s</b> back four and to their credit, they responded excellently. Indeed, the Greens had the better of proceedings after the break and could have taken home the three points had <b>Andy Walker</b>, replacement for <b>Dave King</b> in goal for <b>Cray</b> this season, produced an outstanding save from <b>Vilhete</b>, who himself had struck the inside of the post minutes earlier in pursuit of his first goal in a <b>Hendon</b> shirt. He won’t come any closer than that. In the end, a point apiece was a fair reflection of an absorbing encounter and the clean sheet was a big boost.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">52:45 hours later and it was back off East of St. Pauls to Upminster to take on the in-form Urchins of Bridge Avenue. Unbeaten in their previous 9 matches in all competitions and with their front two of <b>Martin Tuohy </b>and <b>Lewis Smith</b> having scored 19 league goals between them (<b>Hendon’s </b>entire total for the season stood before the game at 22) everything pointed to a home banker. Admittedly, and perhaps inexplicably considering the fact that two of the architects of <b>Thurrock’s</b> dominance over everything <b>Hendon</b> in <b>Jimmy MacFarlane </b>and <b>Colin McBride</b> are heavily involved at <b>AFC Hornchurch</b>, our record against the Urchins is good, unbeaten in our previous four meetings.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">It wasn’t backs to the wall stuff by any stretch of the imagination, but a performance full of defensive discipline and threat on the counter attack. The only goal of the game came at the end of the first quarter when <b>Elliott Godfrey’s</b> low drive from 20 yards skidded past <b>Joe Woolley</b> in the <b>Hornchurch</b> goal. Try as they might, the home side were unable to break down the visitor’s defence and <b>Berkley Laurencin</b> was able to enjoy his 7<sup>th</sup> blank sheet of the season in his 14<sup>th</sup> match. <b>Sinclair</b> in particular drew many of the plaudits amongst the <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">3.14159265 away fans trying in vain to make themselves heard above the 500 home fans thronging amassed in the crowd of 187 as <b>Hendon</b> completed what was probably their best result since the victory at <b>Carshalton</b>. When the report on the Urchins website grudgingly concedes that <b>Hendon</b> deserved the three points, you know you’ve done well. (Thanks to <b>AFC Hornchurch</b> for the video below)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/JZoznD2Fxe8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Tomorrow we welcome struggling <b>Aveley</b> to Vale Farm. The corresponding fixture last season saw the Millers pick up their first points against <b>Hendon</b> at the fourth attempt with an impressive and committed showing winning 2-1. It was one of the least impressive performance by the Greens that I witnessed last season, and the hope is that tomorrow is very different. Having received the annual reprieve from relegation regularly handed out to the side finishing 19<sup>th</sup> in the division, <b>Carl Griffiths</b> was looking forward to a season away from the relegation zone. Unfortunately for the former <b>Leyton Orient </b>man, things didn’t work out and the end of October saw the end of his tenure. Replacing him is former <b>West Ham, Billericay </b>and <b>Thurrock</b> man <b>Lee Hodges</b> and his first game in charge saw his charges pick up a 2-1 win over fellow strugglers <b>Horsham</b>. He has been quick to bring in his own players with <b>Danny Smith</b>, <b>Joe Keith, Jamie Richards </b>and <b>Rikki Burbridge</b> all making their debuts against the Hornets. However, a surprise 2-1 defeat in the Essex Senior Cup to <b>Witham Town</b> will have provided a quick reminder as to the size of the job on hand. However, the Millers currently sit in 18<sup>th</sup> place, 3 points ahead of 19<sup>th</sup> placed <b>Concord Rangers</b> but having played more games than the three sides immediately below them in the table. They will be scrapping for everything tomorrow and we will need to make sure we match them for commitment first and foremost if we are going to come away with anything. 3 more points would do us very nicely.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">In sadder news, it was announced that regular <b>Hendon </b>fan <b>Steve Cheesewright</b> passed away earlier in the week following a 2 year battle with cancer. I didn’t know <b>Steve </b>well, but he was a familiar face on the terraces at Claremont Road in particular. Clearly his illness restricted his attendance over the last couple of years but he was still able to come when he was able to, even to the match at <b>Luton</b> only a few short weeks ago. Aged just 30, the following excerpt that was posted on Facebook pays tribute to him better than I ever could. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">"Steve passed away peacefully yesterday after his 2 year battle with cancer, his family were with him when he died and he was comfortable. Steve was a very much loved son, grandson, friend, brother and daddy and will be missed by so many."</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">My thoughts are with his family at this very difficult and sad time, I know his huge smiling face will be much missed on the terraces behind the goals by all who came into contact with him in the common pursuit of Green glory. RIP Steve.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">3 points in his memory tomorrow would be a fitting tribute.</span></span></span></div><!--EndFragment--></div>Whitmarsh's Whiskershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06366879985557851787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625891224039709453.post-66068054230043057652011-11-25T04:17:00.000-08:002011-11-25T04:18:57.176-08:00It was 14 years ago today... (Looking Back to Leyton Orient)<div class="MsoNormal">That <b>Hendon</b> taught the <b>Orient</b> how to play…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Let us take a step backwards in time to my proudest moment as a <b>Hendon</b> fan. Today marks the 14<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the club’s FA Cup 1<sup>st</sup> Round Replay win at Brisbane Road against <b>Leyton Orient</b>. Our previous season’s road to Ninian Park had seen us exempted to the 4<sup>th</sup> Qualifying Round of the FA Cup in the 1997/8 season and two <b>Colin Simpson</b> goals had been enough to see off <b>St. Albans City </b>at Clarence Park to set up a place in the 1<sup>st</sup> Round proper. This was in the days, if I recall correctly, where the 1<sup>st</sup> round draw would take place at 5pm on the Saturday afternoon. The cheers in the bar as we were drawn at home to near neighbours <b>Leyton Orient</b> was something else. A great draw, and the excitement began.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Orient, with sports promoter <b>Barry Hearn</b> even then at the helm, swiftly offered the Blues, as we were in those days, the chance to switch the tie to Brisbane Road with the guarantee of a crowd in excess of 5,000. Thankfully, <b>Ivor Arbiter</b> declined the invitation, instead choosing to bring the ‘giants’ from North East London to Claremont Road and letting them sweat things out in our cramped little changing rooms. The game was all ticket, the game was moved forward to 2pm on Police advice with countless other matches taking place in the capital on the same day. I remember well the feeling walking up Claremont Road from Brent Cross tube station talking to a couple of pessimistic <b>O’s</b> fans. Previous seasons had seen them humbled by Non League opposition at the first hurdle, the fear was that history would once again repeat itself. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Choosing to enter the ground through the rarely used turnstile at the Shopping Centre end, there was already a good crowd in. Portaloos had been brought in and lined the top of the terracing at that end, and the walk around to the banqueting suite end was something to savour. By the time the gates closed, there were 2,421 fans in the ground, it was a great sight seeing so many people packed into the ground, sadly a sight that was all too rare.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Hendon 2-2 Leyton Orient – Saturday 15<sup>th</sup> November 1997<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozZfuAQRoMGNtRKGaKaSJf4sSYiL4uZxaGSkibjO5IMX2VYqNwlxyRwfWcrFT0epuRQ9_DQHonbz1lMwsjQiYwC85yKD7iRR-SFMdlsZKCn1SqRpIt2CREgCssPQAhuOPWn18hZn7fxM/s1600/Gary%252BMcCann%252BOrient%252B1997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozZfuAQRoMGNtRKGaKaSJf4sSYiL4uZxaGSkibjO5IMX2VYqNwlxyRwfWcrFT0epuRQ9_DQHonbz1lMwsjQiYwC85yKD7iRR-SFMdlsZKCn1SqRpIt2CREgCssPQAhuOPWn18hZn7fxM/s320/Gary%252BMcCann%252BOrient%252B1997.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let's all do the Simpson - Gary Mac shows Paul Hyde how to do it</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After 50 seconds, the writing seemed to be on the wall. A ball into the box was headed clear only for the waiting <b>Dean Smith</b> (if memory serves) to smash the ball back past <b>Gary McCann</b> to give the away side the lead. Those of us congregated behind Macca’s goal perhaps feared the worst, but remained hopeful. Hope turned to murky misty glee when we realised that at the far end a bit later our friend from his days at <b>Hayes</b> - <b>Paul Hyde</b>, the <b>Orient</b> custodian had thumped his clearance against the onrushing <b>Colin Simpson</b> and was left helpless as the ball sailed over his head in the gloomy North London sky and into the back of the net. It wasn’t until we saw <b>Simpson</b> wheeling away with his shirt halfway over his head that we realised we were back in the game. <b>Orient </b>took the lead again on the stroke of half time, and although the action happened right in front of my nose I simply can’t remember who scored or how they did it. Never mind that though, our story has yet to get going.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After the break, <b>Hendon</b> were outstanding. <b>Freddie Hyatt</b> gave what the watching former <b>Chelsea</b> legend <b>Alan Hudson</b> described as the ‘perfect inside forward performance’ and was unfortunate not to score from a free kick that forced <b>Hyde </b>into a tip over. Roared on by a vocal following, reward came when <b>John-Simon White’s</b> cross to the far post found <b>Simpson</b> unmarked. The number 9 simply stooped, and nodded the ball inside the far post beyond <b>Hyde’s</b> somewhat limited attempts to keep the ball out. At the final whistle, supplied by former top flight referee and current County Championship umpire <b>Martin Bodenham</b>, the away side blew a sigh of relief at still being in the competition and attention moved on to the replay in 10 days time.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Team:</b> Gary McCann, John-Simon White, Simon Clarke, Paul Kelly, Richard Nugent, Steve Bateman, Steve Heard, Freddie Hyatt, Colin Simpson (Tony Lynch), Tony Kelly (Matt Howard), Junior Lewis </div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Sub not used:</b> Curtis Warmington</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Tommy Taylor,</b> the <b>Orient</b> manager boldly and publically proclaimed after the match that <b>Hendon</b> had missed their chance and that <b>Orient</b> would probably win the replay 5-0. <b>Hearn </b>meanwhile admitted his relief that they were still in the hat saying ‘I thought we would score six, especially after taking the lead.’ <b>Frank Murphy</b> got wind of this, and needed little to add to prepare his charges for the return. On top of that, <b>Taylor</b> made an approach for two goal hero <b>Simpson, </b>who wasn’t under contract and could thus move within 7 days of any approach being made. So although not illegal, it looked like a deliberate attempt to unsettle the player and destabilise <b>Hendon’s</b> preparations for the replay. <b>Taylor </b>would get his man in the end, but not before <b>Hendon’s</b> interest in the competition came to an end.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Leyton Orient 0-1 Hendon: Tuesday 25<sup>th</sup> November 1997<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Brisbane Road at this time was a three sided arena much in the style of Dean Court or the Kassam Stadium is these days as it was undergoing redevelopment. The 4-500 <b>Hendon</b> fans were crammed into a section of the main stand, at the corner of the ground at the stand-free end and were in great voice. I felt nervous, even more so than the first time around. I thought our chance had probably gone, but at the same time, felt that <b>Orient</b> were beatable. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It felt like 90 minutes of bombardment. Wave after wave of ball flew in and around the <b>Hendon</b> 6 yard box yet they were repelled by a heroic effort form everyone concerned. <b>Steve Bateman</b> and <b>Matt Howard </b>were about eight foot tall on the evening and when they were beaten, <b>Gary Mac </b>wasn’t. He gave a truly commanding performance in goal making a number of excellent claims and one or two top draw saves as well. <b>Simpson</b> had the opportunity to give <b>Hendon</b> a first half lead and further endear himself to his future employers when he was played through on goal and although he beat <b>Hyde, </b>he also narrowly beat the far post. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The moment came in the 2<sup>nd</sup> half and was a genuinely classy goal. The ball fell about 15 yards inside the <b>Orient</b> half and was controlled by <b>Hyatt</b>. A shimmy and a step over later, all of which was bought for full price by his marker, the ball was spread wide to <b>John-Simon White</b> who was steaming (literally and figuratively) as only he could down the right flank before sending a nectarine of a cross onto the forehead of the onrushing <b>Junior Lewis</b>, about 15 yards out who sent the ball fizzing past the flailing <b>Hyde</b> and into the roof of the net. The enclosure we were packed into erupted. I couldn’t believe it, we were ahead at a Division 3 club. I’d never felt anything like it. People were hugging eachother as if they were part of the same family rather than a load of strangers brought together by a common purpose. That was nothing though compared to what came less than half an hour later.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I can’t tell you how long the closing stages dragged on for. Every minute felt like ten. The pressure the home side put us under was immense, but somehow we held out. Refrains of <i>‘In Dublin’s Fair City’<b> </b></i>rang out somewhat nervously as the frustration grew amongst the home fans with every overhit ball forward that <b>Gary Mac</b> was able to mop up. When the final whistle finally sounded, the place went mad. <b>Taylor</b> and his charges were booed from the pitch whilst the <b>Hendon</b> players and coaching staff came and celebrated in front of us. The scenes were immense, fantastic and unbeknown to us, being played out live on Radio 5 Live. This side had just written themselves into <b>Hendon</b> folklore along with the Amateur Cup, Isthmian championship, Barassi Cup winning, <b>Newcastle United </b>and <b>Reading</b> humbling sides of the 60s and 70s. It was a wonderful time to be a <b>Hendon </b>fan and one that hasn’t been matched for me since.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Team:</b> Gary McCann, John-Simon White, Simon Clarke, Paul Kelly, Matt Howard, Steve Bateman, Steve Heard, Freddie Hyatt, Colin Simpson (Michael Banton), Tony Kelly (Curtis Warmington), Junior Lewis</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Sub Not Used:</b> Greg Tello</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The 2<sup>nd</sup> round pitted us once again against <b>Cardiff City</b> at Ninian Park for the 2<sup>nd</sup> year running, and this time we were beaten comfortably 3-1, <b>Nas Bashir</b> getting a second half consolation for the Tangerine clad Blues. The media glare took itself elsewhere, <b>Richard Nugent’s</b> teddy cried himself to sleep and we were left with the league and Puma Cup to focus our attentions on.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This FA Cup run still lives on fresh in the memory, it’s hard to believe that it was 14 years ago that the pinnacle of my time as a <b>Hendon</b> fan was reached. It feels like about 3 have passed. But in that time a lot of water has passed under the bridge, <b>Gary Mac</b>, <b>Freddie </b>and <b>Junior</b> have moved from being part of that great few weeks on the pitch to being integral, important parts of the club off the pitch now. Enough with the looking back though, time to look ahead…</div>Whitmarsh's Whiskershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06366879985557851787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625891224039709453.post-66325387546860613022011-11-23T04:19:00.000-08:002011-11-23T04:19:49.625-08:00In Debt To…Or Why Rich Benefactors Frighten Me<div class="MsoNormal">Sometimes, fans run clubs and disciples of the fans owned model are sometimes seen as sanctimonious little oafs who see themselves as holier than thou. On occasion there is perhaps some truth to this but with news of <b>Farnborough F.C.’s</b> alleged debt of £1.7million, which would be a staggering amount for a League 1 or 2 club never mind a Blue Square South side, breaking less than four and a half years after their formation following the liquidation of <b>Farnborough Town F.C </b>in the summer of 2007, I can’t help but think there is an awful lot of credence to these claims.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Farnborough</b> aren’t the first club to be in peril and I would be enormously surprised if they were the last, this season even, to announce in roundabout ways that their immediate future is in severe doubt. The name of <b>Spencer Day, </b>the differently named but same man who drove <b>Aldershot</b> to their death in the early 90s, would do little to allay my fears. Some players who played under him at <b>Chertsey Town</b> have made some very interesting comments about him on Twitter.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Clubs seem to be going to the wall far more regularly these days with unpaid debts, in particular to Her Majesty, than they ever did in the past, and the really difficult thing is that in many cases, the writing has been on the wall to many outsiders long before the fan has been struck by faecal matter. <b>Hornchurch</b>, <b>Telford United, Rushden & Diamonds, Windsor & Eton, Leyton, Chester City, Halifax Town, Ilkeston Town, Gresley Rovers, King’s Lynn, Enfield, Leigh RMI / Genesis, Farsley Celtic, Berkhamsted Town, Edgware Town, Fisher Athletic, Newcastle Blue Star, Withdean 2000</b>, all clubs which in the past six or seven years have been forced out of business due to financial difficulties. Not all of these clubs have been reliant on one man’s money, but many have. Some have since reformed under a different name, some clubs have disappeared sadly for good.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Of course, this list doesn’t include those clubs who it is known are trying to recover from near financial oblivion, or who are sailing close to the wind as I type. <b>Truro City, Croydon Athletic, Lewes, Harlow Town </b>to name just a few. Can you imagine how hard being a <b>Weymouth</b> fan over the last few years must have been? Not so much a roller-coaster ride as a free-fall from 20,000 feet without a parachute. I’ve lost count of the number of owners they have had in the period since <b>Ian Ridley</b> and <b>Steve Claridge</b> left the club, I’ve lost count of the number of times there have been headlines surrounding the club and their parlous financial state. No matter who is holding the purse strings, the story seems to be the same. Likewise <b>Lewes</b>. Thankfully for the Sussex side, their transition into Community ownership looks now to be paying dividends, and long may it continue. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">To the Terras’ credit, they have at least gone about things the right way on the pitch and taken their relegations on the chin and on the pitch. Accepting the beatings they handed out on the way up the pyramid as they return downwards. I don’t mind admitting it infuriating me when a club loses their main benefactor and is then able to pick and choose the level they play at. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to see a club put out of business, but I don’t think beating all and sundry whilst paying out wages that can’t be sustained in the long term and then choosing to play 3 divisions lower when the moneymen leave, rather than slashing their playing budget to £0 if absolutely necessary and accepting a couple of years of doom and gloom whilst returning to a level where they are able to sustain a side is a particularly fulfilling way of going about things. Of course, <b>Canvey Island</b> and <b>Grays Athletic</b> have done this in recent seasons after the departures of <b>Jeff King</b> and <b>Mick Woodward</b> respectively. <b>Canvey</b> were offered a place in the Premier Division of the Ryman League and chose instead to try their luck at Division 1 North. That reprieved <b>Hendon</b> from a first ever relegation in their history, and quite frankly, I was embarrassed to have not been relegated because we deserved nothing less. Of course I don’t know the ins and outs of things financially at either club but I can’t help but think that they both chose the easy way out.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Since the <b>Hendon Supporters Trust</b> took full control of <b>Hendon</b> as a debt free operation (all debts to the Arbiter Group I believe being covered by the money they would make from the sale of the freehold of Claremont Road) I have often wrestled with what I would want to happen if a man with a large wallet arrived on his silver horse offering us terraces paved with bronze. I enjoyed the years of football under <b>Ivor Arbiter’s</b> ownership, but the simple truth is that we were paying out more than we could afford to on player wages. The Supporters Trust’s submission last year to the CMS Select Committee as part of their investigation into Football Governance in England cited the case of one player’s wages only just being covered by the gate receipts for that season. Considering the figures quoted would make one’s mind boggle in today’s terms, the fact that they were from 12 or 13 years ago actually defies belief. Thankfully for us fans, <b>Ivor</b> had the club at heart and wanted to try and take it forward onto the next level. Plenty of benefactors elsewhere have had very different motives from the shady speculative investment from <b>Karl Williams</b> at <b>Hornchurch</b> to the downright illegal payments made by <b>Mazhar Majeed</b> at <b>Croydon Athletic. </b>However, despite <b>Ivor’s</b> best intentions, were it not for the fact that <b>Hendon</b> were sat on a lucrative piece of real estate, there is no way the club would be in the position it is now.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The idea of the club going back to being the potential plaything of one man scares me absolutely rigid to be quite honest. I don’t have a problem with people wanting to spend their money on football clubs and if they do it in an organic way, putting a structure in place that can help fund the club in the long term as <b>Danny Hunter</b> has done at <b>Boreham Wood</b> for example, then that is brilliant. But alarm bells ring whenever I see a club being taken over and the new owner suddenly begins outlining his 3 or 5 year plan for Conference football or beyond. And I get angry when I see fans of these clubs saying that they’re just going to enjoy the ride while it lasts. But what when it does end? You just hop off, and exit the place without giving it a second thought? Or will you be around to try and pick up the mess That kind of attitude drives me bonkers and leaves me with a lot less sympathy for the fans’ plight when the bottom falls out of the club and they’re all plummeting towards the murky depths of oblivion. You deal with the devil, expect to be burned. At least <b>Carshalton </b>fans are not burying their heads in the sand as <b>Paul Dipre</b> massages his ego in front of ever diminishing crowds in South London. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m ambitious, I want <b>Hendon</b> to progress and challenge for promotion to the Blue Square South, I want <b>Hendon</b> to be able to be playing in a ground they can call their own again, even if nothing will truly replace Claremont Road. But do I want that to come at a price that could see the club die? Absolutely not. Give me two relegations fielding a bunch of 17 year olds and paying absolutely nothing but a debt free club that is still in charge of its own destiny at the end of things and able to compete at a certain level over one that enjoys a couple of promotions before being left high and dry with unsustainable debts and no option but to wither away and die. If the latter ever did happen, would I be able to support a Phoenix club? Possibly yes, but they wouldn’t ever hold the same emotional place in me that <b>Hendon</b> do. Any ‘A’ in <b>AFC Hendon</b> would simply stand for ‘artificial’.</div>Whitmarsh's Whiskershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06366879985557851787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625891224039709453.post-42414745875935165342011-11-21T03:03:00.000-08:002011-11-21T03:03:55.818-08:00Good, not quite Good Enough. Hendon 1-2 Billericay Town<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><b>Hendon 1-2 Billericay Town<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>Saturday 19<sup>th</sup> November 2011<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>Ryman League Premier Division<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>Vale Farm<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">It was always likely to be a tough ask on Saturday with <b>Billericay</b> arriving laying 2<sup>nd</sup> in the table, just behind <b>Lowestoft</b> who had beaten us 2-0 in midweek and having won their previous four away matches. Considering the obstacles that have been placed in <b>Craig Edwards’</b> path so far this season, this is a hell of an achievement. Things began ominously when <b>Chris Wild</b> fell from a first floor balcony into a basement area from a hotel in Folkestone ahead of ‘Ricay’s pre-season trip to <b>Sittingbourne</b>. Amazingly, and mercifully (although perhaps not from a <b>Hendon</b> point of view given his performance on Saturday) <b>Wild</b> escaped with nothing more than some serious bruising and was back in action before the end of September. Then, in early October, it was announced that briefly ex-Hendon heart-throb <b>Sam Berry</b> had been advised to stop playing due to a possible heart defect. Again, mercifully, nothing serious had been diagnosed and <b>Berry</b> was back in action within a fortnight. Added to the loss of two key players in joint top-scorer <b>David Knight</b>, who has inexplicably (when you take money out of the frame it seems) swapped a promotion battle for a relegation dogfight at <b>East Thurrock, </b>and <b>Paul Semakula</b> who has been unable to commit fully due to University commitments and has just moved to <b>Maidenhead United</b>. </div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">All of this however pales into insignificance when you consider the plight of popular goalkeeper <b>Nicky Morgan</b>. Hendon fans will be familiar with the name and imposing figure of the giant shot-stopper with him having been on loan at Vale Farm for three matches last term when we were in the midst of our defensive crisis of confidence. I think it would be fair to say that perhaps his spell wasn’t the most auspicious of times, but with <b>Ashlee Jones</b> moving on in the summer, <b>Morgan</b> was handed the number 1 shirt by <b>Edwards</b> and he had responded with some fine performances in his sixteen appearances this season (a run that included no fewer than eight blank sheets) before he was struck by enormous misfortune. Trouble erupted outside a nightclub in Brentwood apparently famous due to it being regularly featured on an intellectually stimulating documentary on ITV2 about pond life, on a Thursday evening prior to ‘Ricay’s home match with <b>Canvey Island</b> and <b>Morgan</b> became embroiled acting as a peacemaker. Something sent him heading towards the ground, he banged his head against the floor and as a result, is in hospital in (I believe) <b>Romford</b> currently paralysed and awaiting specialist spinal treatment at either Stanmore or Stoke Mandeville hospitals. In speaking to a couple of away fans at the weekend, the prognosis for <b>Nicky</b> doesn’t sound too promising and I thought it was a really nice gesture by the Supporters Trust to donate their bucket collection towards his rehabilitation. It goes without saying of course that I wish him the very best with his recovery.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEVQbqc0T5pcrmAEHuxUf7nCuf4mL9LdNdrpvtNbKqmz1DzOTUqGBVkmTMluzEAcELkNtismb-sS-1mhn-QD2lGoqD_Em_CuFw_RmEoFZIA2SCMhEmWC-YrMefvaO8wTUcqHzl4zkGS8/s1600/Nicky+Morgan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEVQbqc0T5pcrmAEHuxUf7nCuf4mL9LdNdrpvtNbKqmz1DzOTUqGBVkmTMluzEAcELkNtismb-sS-1mhn-QD2lGoqD_Em_CuFw_RmEoFZIA2SCMhEmWC-YrMefvaO8wTUcqHzl4zkGS8/s1600/Nicky+Morgan.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nicky Morgan: A true gentle giant</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">Somehow, in spite of this turmoil, <b>Edwards</b> has managed to keep the good ship ‘Ricay sailing on towards the summit of the division and all this with, it has to be said what on paper looks a good side, but not one that I would initially have backed to have been going toe to toe with <b>Lowestoft</b> and <b>Lewes </b>at the top of the division. It soon became clear however why they were where they were.</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>Gary Mac</b> had made a couple of changes to the side that had played well at <b>Lowestoft</b> without reward with <b>James Parker</b> returning at right back and <b>Belal Aite-Ouakrim</b> replacing <b>Isaiah Rankin </b>at number 9. Rocked slightly by the news that <b>Sean Thomas</b> has for the time being hung up his gloves to understandably concentrate on his studies, another chance has presented itself for <b>Berkley Laurencin</b> to cement himself as the number 1. I think <b>Berkley</b> has been unlucky this season to not have kept the shirt. Circumstances beyond his control meant that he lost his place to <b>Thomas</b> for the <b>Wealdstone</b> game and such was the ex-Stone’s performance that evening that <b>Gary</b> couldn’t very well drop him. Now in his fourth season at the club and with 65 appearances to his name, the progress <b>Berkley </b> has made in that time has been clear for everyone to see and he deserves an awful lot of credit for sticking around, biding his time and above all working his socks off. I really hope he is able to take this chance with both hands (and hold on to it!)</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">The first half was frantic and frenetic with both sides looking to attack. The first thing that was noticeable about the visitors was the size of them, particularly through the spine of their side. <b>Wild, Rob Swaine, Jay May </b>and <b>Richard Halle</b> were all 6 foot plenty and had an imposing air about them. A couple of long throws were launched into the <b>Hendon</b> box where they were headed clear whilst at the other end <b>Mauro Vilhete</b> looked to pick up where he had left off against <b>Canvey</b> and after a good run had a low drive blocked behind for a corner by a sprawling defender. </div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">It took 10 minutes for the deadlock to be broken, <b>Frank Sinclair</b> tripping the lively <b>Emeka Onwubike</b> inside the penalty area and the spot was pointed to by the official. There were howls of protests from the terraces, but interestingly, next to none from those in green shirts nearest the incident. Perhaps there was more there than some initially thought and anytime you go to ground in the penalty area and don’t come away with the ball cleanly, you are running the risk of giving a spot kick away. <b>Halle</b> beat <b>Laurencin</b> confidently from the spot to give the Blues the lead.</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2MTXyxb-fKIQT_dkKKswPl-eUqGZWgvcUzusJmnEk80J8Y5aVKkmxEvqoFIGSGx4MVsERxmrdyFKGxGavC2iIwpjB1jN7-VgHmsyYcIcm5OTfA5CdZayeacxOfxutld8r7XZ3RHt6UY/s1600/Frank+Sinclair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2MTXyxb-fKIQT_dkKKswPl-eUqGZWgvcUzusJmnEk80J8Y5aVKkmxEvqoFIGSGx4MVsERxmrdyFKGxGavC2iIwpjB1jN7-VgHmsyYcIcm5OTfA5CdZayeacxOfxutld8r7XZ3RHt6UY/s1600/Frank+Sinclair.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mixed Afternoon for Big Frank</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">One became two (a Spice Girls b-side) less than three minutes later when <b>Sam Berry </b>and <b>Darren Currie</b> contested a 50-50 ball midway inside the ‘Ricay half. With both players grounded, <b>Berry </b>won the ball, left <b>Currie</b> in a not quite crumpled heap and spread the ball out to the left wing. With the referee choosing to play on, rightly so in my opinion as I didn’t think there was an infringement and with <b>Currie</b> in no danger for the time being of being trampled to death, the ball was worked inside to <b>Onwubike</b> who cutting across the penalty area unchallenged then steered an excellent low drive from 20 yards or so beyond <b>Laurencin</b> and just into the bottom corner. An extremely well taken goal and in spite of the injury to <b>Currie</b> (he was given treatment before the restart), that can’t be used an excuse for the concession of the goal.</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">From that point, if not quite game over, it was difficult to see how the Greens were going to get back into the game. In actual fact, I thought they played quite well overall and on another day against another side would have got something for their efforts. On two or three occasions really good moves involving some lovely interplay ended with efforts on goal but <b>Brightley</b> was largely untroubled. <b>Belal</b>, despite working hard and winning a few balls in the air, was getting no change from <b>Swaine </b>and <b>Wild </b>who were probably the strongest pair of centre halves I’ve seen for some time. At the other end, a smart stop from <b>Laurencin</b> kept the Greens in the game with a save from <b>Chatting</b> after a slip by <b>Scott Cousins</b>, and the aerial bombardment from set pieces were well defended by the Greens.</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">There have been howls of protests about the antics of ‘Ricay’s players and the performance of the officials in some sections since Saturday afternoon I must be honest and say I don’t really agree with. In my opinion, the referee didn’t get everything right by any stretch of the imagination, but I don’t think he really affected the game unduly. In terms of ‘Ricay, I don’t think the <b>Hendon</b> twitter feed could have paid them any higher compliment than saying just before half time that they do the ugly things well. Some might see that as a euphemism for cheating, but I don’t think they did. It was only a week before that <b>Sean Thomas</b> was booked for taking his time over his goal kicks when we were leading against <b>Canvey</b> and <b>Dave Diedhiou</b> was cautioned for standing over a free kick. In terms of buying free kicks, <b>Isaiah Rankin</b> is an absolute master and perhaps others should be looking to learn from him. Don’t get me wrong, I would love football and footballers to be squeaky clean and gentlemanly, but realisitically it isn’t going to happen. Perhaps ‘Ricay did stretch the laws once or twice, perhaps one or two of their players did make sure that decisions went their way – let’s not forget that we’ve been accused of the very same thing this season not least at Ruislip Manor. Sometimes you win them, sometimes you lose them. On Saturday, we lost. </div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">After the break, things became largely scrappy and weren’t helped by the regularity with which the official used his whistle. On a couple of occasions I felt that he could have let play go on rather than bring it back for an innocuous looking aerial challenge, but as he seemed to be riling fans behind both goals with his decisions, I don’t think there can be too many complaints. There were howls for a <b>Hendon</b> penalty when <b>Vilhete</b> went flying trying to connect with a terrific <b>Fisher</b> cross from the left, I couldn’t see whether there was contact, but the reaction amongst the players and fans leads me to suspect there may have been. <b>Frank Sinclair</b> had his name taken for quizzing the referee rather too much for the official’s liking, much to the glee of those behind <b>Berkley’s </b>goal. </div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>Benson Kpaka</b> had an excellent opportunity to seal the game for ‘Ricay when he found himself through on goal, but he put his effort into the side netting, whilst at the other end <b>Belal</b> stretched <b>Brightley</b> with a low shot that the keeper claimed at the 2<sup>nd</sup> attempt. <b>Ryan Wharton</b> also denied the Blues a definite clincher with two excellent interventions in the space of a minute with a superb challenge on <b>Chatting</b> and from the ensuing corner, an excellent header just ahead of the lurking <b>Jay May</b>. </div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">The Greens deserved some reward for their toil and it came in injury time in some style. <b>Rankin</b> received the ball inside the penalty area, side on to goal, and in one movement got the ball out of his feet, and whilst turning, lashed an unstoppable shot beyond <b>Brightley</b> into the far corner of the net. For the second weekend running, <b>Rankin</b> had been impressive coming off the bench. If he’s happy playing this role for us, then I’m happy with him doing it. He seems to have more impact in the last 20 minutes than he does over 90 and is as dangerous an option to come from the substitutes bench as we have had in a number of seasons.</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">In the end, ‘Ricay held out for 3 points that I think they warranted on balance. That said, I was impressed with the <b>Hendon</b> performance. After the disappointment of <b>Leatherhead, Horsham</b> and <b>Met Police</b>, the last couple of performances against <b>Lowestoft</b> and <b>Billericay</b> have been far better and given plenty of cause for optimism. More positives than negatives can be taken from the performances, perhaps the one slight worry I have at the moment is that we haven’t scored more than once in a game since beating <b>Maldon & Tiptree </b>five weeks ago. Only seven goals have been scored in the nine matches since. However, with <b>Elliott Charles</b> and <b>Greg Ngoyi</b> both in line to be selected against <b>Cray </b>on Sunday, there is no reason why that cannot be rectified soon enough either.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlpCxnMYsmf-VTpcgxS5Ou_tT6utjvwCA6uSuV1v4CdQbiM7F_yi13C5g-wKM9wsZTUAeEXo0igET6El1mlFrZIMFwNdha8JxFkbCpdOszuxBSMq6YO5Cxubk8UD1gNsz88-WMX-V4TY/s1600/onwubikoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlpCxnMYsmf-VTpcgxS5Ou_tT6utjvwCA6uSuV1v4CdQbiM7F_yi13C5g-wKM9wsZTUAeEXo0igET6El1mlFrZIMFwNdha8JxFkbCpdOszuxBSMq6YO5Cxubk8UD1gNsz88-WMX-V4TY/s1600/onwubikoe.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emeka Onwubike - Impressive Match-winning performance</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">I suspect I was one of few Green fans to be impressed by ‘Ricay on Saturday. Based on that performance and their form so far, I can see why they are second in the league. <b>Craig Edwards</b> is an experienced and wily boss and whilst having ‘typically Essex’ attributes to their side, I think they have more to their bow than a traditional <b>Grays</b> or <b>Purfleetrock</b> used to back in the deep dank 90s. They played some nice stuff at times, particularly in the first half. I was impressed with <b>Harrison Chatting</b> out wide, he caused <b>Parks </b>a few problems. <b>Craig Edwards Jnr</b> did well in the middle of the park with his intelligent use of the ball and for someone making his first league appearance for the club, <b>Emeka Onwubike</b> gave an excellent account of himself up front with his pace, power and eye for goal as well. I can’t see any reason to think that they won’t be there or thereabouts come the end of April, play off certainties from what I’ve seen so far (not that this usually counts for much, sorry ‘Ricay fans). A decent club, decent fans, decent manager and decent side. Good luck to them.</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><u>Player Ratings:<o:p></o:p></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>1. Berkley Laurencin:</b> Stood up well to the aerial challenge with a couple of good claims and punches from crosses. One excellent save kept Hendon in it in the first half, no chance with either goal. <b>7/10<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>2. James Parker:</b> Given a good working over by the lively Harrison Chatting and coped reasonably well with his pace and trickery. Did well in the air and passed the ball with purpose too. <b>7<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>3. Scott Cousins: </b>A couple of uncharacteristic slips from the skipper capped a slightly under par performance from one who is usually the most consistent performer at the club. A blip no doubt. <b>6<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>4. Ryan Wharton: </b>Again, the most impressive member of the back line. Some outstanding challenges, stood up strongly to May and Onwubike and worked the ball well in possession as well. <b>8<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>5. Frank Sinclair:</b> A mixed bag from the former Jamaican international. Gave away the penalty and got booked, but made the game look effortless at times when he simply stroked the ball out wide for Darren Currie on a few occasions. <b>6<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>6. Dave Diedhiou:</b> Gave the side a bit more of a physical edge than Kevin Mac would have done that was much needed. Occasionally a little lose in possession again, but worked hard. <b>6<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>7. James Fisher:</b> Another decent effort from the summer signing from St. Albans. Worked hard, got forward when able to and was at one stage cleaned out by a flailing figure in the shape of his own goalkeeper. <b>7<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>8. Elliott Godfrey:</b> Some of the interplay in the first half between him, Darren Currie and Mauro Vilhete was a joy to watch. Sent one effort powerfully into the midrift of Brightley and was generally a positive influence on the game. <b>7<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>9. Belal Aite-Ouakrim:</b> A conundrum. Infuriating at times as he continually loses possession running into blind alleys, but to his credit he worked hard and unusually won a few balls in the air as well. Needs that first goal to ignite his confidence again. <b>6<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>10. Darren Currie:</b> I watched him closely in the first half and it was a joy. Everytime the ball came his way he had a look around to see what was on. A couple of neat headers to retain possession, simple skips over outstretched challenges and some passes that were outstanding. A purists’ footballer. <b> 7<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>11. Mauro Vilhete:</b> A lively presence again although with less effect against the more physical and experienced Dave Collis than he found against Canvey. That said, a couple of excellent runs and linked up well with Currie and Godfrey. Good to watch again. <b>7<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>Substitutes<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>12. Isaiah Rankin:</b> Made a nuisance of himself again after coming on for the final quarter of an hour or so with some nice touches, and holding the ball up well. The goal was superbly taken. Great option to have on the bench. <b>7<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>13. Jerome Federico:</b> Late entrance, didn’t have a lot of time to influence proceedings</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>15. Carl McCluskey:</b> Came on after the stoppage time goal. Not sure he touched the ball.</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>Star Man:</b> Ryan Wharton</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>Match Rating: </b>7/10</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b>Verdict:</b> Hendon won’t come up against many tougher or stronger sides than Billericay who looked to me as though they could stay the course at the right end of the table. Perhaps not obvious champions, but they definitely have enough about them to be in the play off mix. For Hendon, an encouraging performance, they’ve already played a lot worse than this and won this season. More performances of this ilk along with a few more goals and we’ll be back on track.</div>Whitmarsh's Whiskershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06366879985557851787noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625891224039709453.post-42869917491652006272011-11-17T06:10:00.000-08:002011-11-17T06:10:53.806-08:005 Hendon Mercurial Magicians<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" /> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><b>Darren Currie</b> last week became the latest in a short line of mercurial talents to have donned the Green and White shirt with pride over the last 20 odd years of my attendance at <b>Hendon</b>. This video special gives a platform for some of these free spirits to showcase their talents.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>1) Dale Binns</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The one genuine success story to come from the youth system set up by <b>Ivor Arbiter</b> in the mid 90s and benefit the first team, <b>Binnsy </b>(or Dusty as I believe he’s been nicknamed at other clubs) broke through in the 1999/2000 season with a terrific solo goal to break his duck at home to <b>Basingstoke Town</b> on a pudding of a pitch hinted at the quality he possessed. The following season, the one that never ended, saw <b>Dale</b> become a genuine star at Ryman Premier level as he tore defences apart with his pace, trickery and creativity and ended the term as leading secorer with 18 goals. Before leaving the club at the close of the 2003/4 season for <b>Cambridge</b><b> </b><b>City</b><b> </b>and long time admirer <b>Gary Roberts</b>, he amassed 41 goals in 212 appearances for the club. Since leaving Claremont Road <b>Binnsy</b> has established himself as a perennial promotion pusher in the Blue Square South, and has had a couple of spells in Non League’s top flight with <b>Stevenage Borough</b> and <b>Hayes & Yeading United.</b> Below, you can see the kind of thing we all became accustomed to watching him do in his time at <b>Hendon.</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/xDarZVpWjfg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>2) Frank Murphy</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Well past his best when he took over at <b>Hendon</b> nominally as manager, but occasionally deigned to bring himself off the bench in various matches, and indeed, his final match as <b>Hendon</b> boss at his old stomping ground Champion Hill at the age of very nearly 42. Although his legs had gone, his ability to kill the ball on a fivepence, light a cigarette whilst looking up, assessing his options, nutmegging his marker and then playing <b>Steven Brady</b> through on goal remained undimmed. His cameos were a joy to watch. The video below from 50 seconds give you an idea of just what a terrific player he would have been to witness in his full pomp.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>3) Bontcho Guentchev</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">An obvious inclusion really. <b>Gary Mac</b> tells the story in <i>Hendon Centenary</i> book of a player turning up at pre-season training in a Bulgarian training top from USA ’94. Thinking he was just another fantastical park player with a fantastical CV to match, he looked on astonished as <b>Bontcho</b> displayed his credentials. If the fans had any doubts as to what <b>Frank Murphy</b> had taken on, they were swiftly dispelled when on his home debut against <b>Canvey</b><b> </b><b>Island</b>, wearing golden boots he sent a wonderful overhead kick beyond <b>Brian Horne</b> in the Islanders net and found himself immortalised in song by <b>Saint Etienne</b> in <i>Teenage Winter</i> on their album <i>Tales from Turnpike House</i> (check it out, it's great). Although used sparingly in his time at <b>Claremont Road</b>, <b>Bontcho</b> certainly provided plenty of memorable moments. His goal against <b>Bath City</b> in the FA Cup 1<sup>st</sup> Round followed by a performance that warranted a couple of magnificent goals in the next round at <b>Blackpool</b>. A true cult hero, where ever he’s been as this free kick for <b>Luton</b> (from 30 seconds) bears testament to.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://2.gvt0.com/vi/3c_W6U0GX44/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3c_W6U0GX44&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3c_W6U0GX44&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>4) Darren Currie</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Although the younger generation of the <b>Currie</b> footballing dynasty has yet to write himself into <b>Hendon</b> folklore just yet, the announcement of his signature last week had me extremely excited. I knew enough from people I knew who had seen him play just how good he was. Genuinely two footed, extremely skilful and above all, intelligent. Even at <b>Boreham Wood</b> this season, the quality was there for all to see. <b>Barnet </b>fans on their forum have recently voted him as one of their top 10 Bees players of all time (I think <b>Frank Murphy</b> came in at around number 51) and on the evidence below, it’s easy to see why. Evidence so far suggest <b>Currie</b> is more likely to be a <b>Bontcho Bhuna</b> rather than a <b>Speedie Vindaloo</b> for the Greens. Let’s hope so!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/A1y5_TVeSSE/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/A1y5_TVeSSE&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/A1y5_TVeSSE&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>5)</b> <b>Freddie Hyatt</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;">His career at <b>Hendon</b> was book-ended by two pieces of absolute genius. The first came on his debut at home to <b>Basingstoke Town</b> when in the first half, he sent a brilliant scissor volley into the top corner from just outside the penalty area (a trick he repeated a few days later at <b>Sutton United</b>) and the second came on his final competitive appearance at <b>Heybridge Swifts</b> where an outrageous piece of skill saw him backheel the ball over his own, and a defender’s head, skipping past said player and firing a shot as the ball dropped on the half volley narrowly wide of the target. Even <b>Bontcho</b>, who had played alongside some true greats like <b>Hristo Stoichkov</b> and <b>Luis Figo</b> said it was amongst the best pieces of skill he’d ever witnessed in a game. Few will forget <b>Freddie’s </b>many moments of opportunism – the goal at home to <b>Sutton</b> from just outside the centre circle, the late free kick winner in the Full Members Cup Semi Final against <b>Maidenhead United</b>, the performance at home to <b>Leyton Orient</b>, the drop of the shoulder and shimmy before spreading the ball wide for <b>John-Simon White </b>in the build up to the winner in the replay. Although the video below doesn’t do him justice in any way shape or form (see from 8 seconds), it’s still quite funny and was the only one I could find.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/Yi8Xzn-5_vE/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Yi8Xzn-5_vE&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Yi8Xzn-5_vE&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;"> So although much of Non League football is blood, guts and thunder, there is always space for quality. The game is much the richer for it as well.</div>Whitmarsh's Whiskershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06366879985557851787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625891224039709453.post-20474443659736611312011-11-14T03:56:00.000-08:002011-11-14T03:56:54.460-08:00Back On Track: Hendon 1-0 Canvey Island<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" /> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><b>Hendon 1-0 </b><b>Canvey</b><b> </b><b>Island</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Ryman League Premier Division</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Saturday 12<sup>th</sup> November 2011</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Vale Farm</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was late afternoon on Friday, I was just wasting a bit of time at work before 5pm when my phone vibrated on my desk. A text message had arrived, and it was from Twitter, more specifically, @mccann2507’s account. <i>‘We add two signings of intent in the form of experience….CB Frank Sinclair and Wide man Darren Currie! Both will add plenty to our squad’</i>. Now, I am the wrong side of 30 and yet still, the signing of players who I used to sign on Championship Manager 10-15 years ago still brings me out in the most excited of sweats. I was fairly confident that <b>Currie</b>, whose father Paul played for the Greens in the 70s and 80s scoring 13 goals in 63 games and whose uncle Tony, the famous England international played a handful of games for in the 1985/6 season, still had the required quality. He had very briefly been player/assistant at <b>Boreham Wood</b> earlier in the season and as the reports from <a href="http://wearethewood.blogspot.com/2011/08/boreham-wood-0-havant-and-waterlooville.html"><b>We Are The Wood</b></a> show, he still had it, even if he did leave the club under <a href="http://wearethewood.blogspot.com/2011/10/wood-3-dartford-1-part-1-chairman_13.html">something of a cloud</a>.. As early as this summer, he had been on trial with <b>Southend</b>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As for <b>Sinclair</b>, I have to admit I’d rather lost track of his career after his time at <b>Leicester</b>. It has since emerged that he was in the same youth team at <b>Chelsea</b> as <b>Gary Mac</b> and played in the same <b>Leicester</b><b> </b>side as <b>Junior Lewis</b>. Indications are that he has signed to help us out for a couple of weeks whilst <b>Michael Peacock </b>and <b>Elliott Brathwaite</b> are out injured and with <b>Bradley Fraser</b> now on loan at <b>Potters</b><b> </b><b>Bar</b><b> </b><b>Town</b>. As a result I was worried that he had spent the last 5 years not having played and that he would be completely shown up as <b>Leo Roget</b> once was when I saw him playing for <b>St. Albans</b><b> </b><b>City</b>. The news that he was a couple of weeks shy of his 40<sup>th</sup> birthday did nothing to help allay any fears I had. Thankfully, they were all for nothing.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtd25wTmntpvCvKQSOiAJopSvpSCoDLQVb2LaiLEXSGlZYf04pMIOfyNLVeXTKu6cSvbh_jXdp_89e1nMWUoqygxG6kUb53tkmLQuUX7eaWzkb9fsyR6uJurZHytqsz4Z84hL9aqkxIM/s1600/sinclair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtd25wTmntpvCvKQSOiAJopSvpSCoDLQVb2LaiLEXSGlZYf04pMIOfyNLVeXTKu6cSvbh_jXdp_89e1nMWUoqygxG6kUb53tkmLQuUX7eaWzkb9fsyR6uJurZHytqsz4Z84hL9aqkxIM/s1600/sinclair.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank's Car in the car park</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">There were a number of changes from the XI that took the field the previous weekend against <b>Leatherhead</b>. <b>Sinclair</b> came in for <b>Fraser</b> at centre half, <b>James Fisher</b> made his first start in place of the suspended <b>Kevin Maclaren</b>, <b>Elliott Godfrey</b> returned to fitness and came in for the injured <b>James Archer</b> whilst <b>Currie</b> was named at number 10 in place of the benched <b>Isaiah Rankin</b>. His time though, would come.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Before the action started, I had a perusal of the programme and was interested by the manager’s notes. I always enjoy reading <b>Gary Mac’s</b> musings, I think he is as honest as they come when assessing our shortcomings and where we’ve done well. I always remember reading <b>Neil Price’s</b> words with a mixture of an amused smile and a bemused frown on my face as they rarely seemed to match what I’d seen with my eyes from behind the goal. I certainly wouldn’t disagree with the manager’s assertion that in spite of our bad run, that the effort has been there. From what I have seen, I cannot pick out or fault any of the players for their commitment or work rate (with one possible exception who has now left the squad). Against <b>Met Police</b>, <b>Horsham</b> and <b>Leatherhead</b> we had enough possession and enough openings or opportunities to have taken something from each game, but just lacked that little bit of ruthless quality at either end of the pitch to have taken anything. What interested me in particular were his comments about expectations and negative reactions to our recent run of results and I think, upon reflection, he made a number of valid points. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Perhaps our unexpectedly good start to the season has increased expectations on the terraces to such a point that picking up 2 points from 9 against the bottom three in the division is seen as underachieving. I’m probably as guilty, if not more so in this journal, as anyone of that, but then perhaps we need to temper that with the 16 points taken from matches against <b>Bury Town</b>, <b>Wealdstone, Carshalton, Hastings, Harrow </b>and <b>Canvey Island</b> as opposed to the single point we took from the same fixtures last term. Secondly, there is the large number of players signed on, it’s a long time since we’ve had such a plethora of options available when everyone’s been fit. And there is the caveat. <i>‘<u>when</u> everyone’s been fit’.<b> </b></i>That hasn’t been the case at all this season, and with no reserve team, Under 21 team or Under 18 team for <b>Gary Mac</b> to fall back on to make numbers up with when short, it has meant that the number of players has had to be topped up through players coming into the club when short. Signs are there that we are turning the corner injury wise, I only hope that this continues and we are soon able to field something close to the XI which I suspect the manager would like to be able to field week in week out. In the mean time gaffer, keep up the sterling work.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Basking in the glow of the lunchtime kick off, the Wembley Arch in the distance preparing to play host to some other teams, Sky Sports News camera and reporter were in attendance at the game as well. The media glare was on the two sides and I think it’s fair to say one side responded, and the one side didn’t. I’ll leave it to you to draw your own conclusions as to which team was which from the following few paragraphs.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJUGY0BDyUccuAvr02rOYknpd2k29vC8D6lYCEGq5MD-FJypO8Dsk6PHkqKfoD7It_4OVrFVJu7tuZ1N609ZN-erKavPfbjihIo6g9oovewGnCbvnZDx4N2TX16uCnKiE16sTmPhSdIc/s1600/Unbelievable+Jeff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJUGY0BDyUccuAvr02rOYknpd2k29vC8D6lYCEGq5MD-FJypO8Dsk6PHkqKfoD7It_4OVrFVJu7tuZ1N609ZN-erKavPfbjihIo6g9oovewGnCbvnZDx4N2TX16uCnKiE16sTmPhSdIc/s1600/Unbelievable+Jeff.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unbelievable Jeff! Team news from Vale Farm takes Jeff by surprise</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">From the moment the game started, there was a purpose about the green shirted Trojans that had been missing over the last few weeks. There was a crispness and conviction to the passing straight away, there was a solid look to the back four again. This observer soon began to relax and enjoy what was on show. Lest us not forget that <b>Canvey</b> had thrashed us 4-0 just 3 short weeks ago and arrived at Vale Farm on the back of further progression in the FA Trophy against <b>Grays Athletic</b>. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Sinclair</b> was denied a free header from an early <b>Scott Cousins</b> corner as the ball was flicked away deftly by a <b>Canvey </b>head before <b>Elliott Godfrey</b>, who was excellent in the ‘number 10’ position just a couple of yards off the target man, forced a comfortable save from <b>James Russell</b> in the <b>Canvey</b> goal with a low shot from 25 yards or so. Frustratingly, <b>Godfrey</b> and <b>Charles </b>were effectively through 2 on 1 with a retreating <b>Canvey </b>centre half but with <b>Charles</b> unable to peel off and get himself onside for <b>Godfrey</b> to play him in, the Canadian was forced to go his own way. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">With the Greens on top in terms of possession, <b>Sinclair </b>and <b>Wharton </b>marshalling <b>Jason Hallett </b>and <b>Danny Heale</b> well and <b>James Fisher</b> checking the supply of ball into the dangerous <b>Rob King</b>, we began to see why <b>Mauro Vilhete</b> is so highly rated by those at Underhill. In the first period, he beat <b>Ashley Dumas</b>, by no means the worst left back in the league, time and time again. If not for pace, then with a trick. Had his final ball been better, <b>Hendon</b> would have had every chance to have gone into the break a couple of goals to the good. Once he dinked the ball tamely into <b>Russell’s</b> arms with <b>Godfrey </b>and <b>Charles </b>well placed in the middle, once he fired over the bar from an angle and on a couple of occasions, slightly overhit his cross into the box. At the other end, <b>Sean Thomas</b> was largely untroubled, dealing well with a couple of crosses and watching as <b>Canvey’s</b> only shot on goal from <b>Hallett</b> after neat build up ended up nearer Harrow Road than the top corner of the goal. There were appeals for a spot kick late on in the half as <b>Cousins</b> eased <b>King </b>off the ball, but any award would have been extremely harsh. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As the half time whistle sounded, there were a few smiles detectable on the faces of some Greens faithful, although there were still a few nerves around. Although the better of the two sides, there was nothing tangible to show for their efforts in terms of working <b>Russell</b> or indeed, the netting behind him. <b>Elliott Charles</b>, who had once again worked himself to the bone up front was replaced at the break by <b>Isaiah Rankin</b>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It took less than four minutes for the substitution to look like a managerial masterstroke. <b>Darren Currie</b>, having swapped flanks with <b>Vilhete</b> played a sumptious first time ball, not for the first time) in between <b>Dumas</b> and <b>Steve Sheehan</b> for the lively <b>Godfrey</b> to run onto, into the penalty area. He pulled the ball back for <b>Rankin</b> who took a touch and with two defenders converging on him guided the ball with the minimum of fuss beyond <b>Russell</b> and into the bottom corner of the net. It was a lovely goal and well deserved.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Any expected <b>Canvey </b>fightback never really materialised. <b>Sean Thomas</b> made a couple more good claims from crosses and one good tip over from a <b>Hallett </b>chipped that was just dipping under the bar, but otherwise, was really well protected by the four in front of him. Whilst <b>Sinclair</b> marshaled things well, it was once again <b>Ryan Wharton </b>who really impressed me. On more than one occasion he made excellent timely interceptions, won just about everything in the air and passed the ball well from the back. They looked a far more cohesive and confident unit. Out wide, <b>Vilhete</b> was having as much, if not more success against <b>Andrew West</b>, the <b>Canvey </b>right back who had to resort to a clothes-line to stop him at one stage in the second half as the winger threatened to burst away from him again. With the incident occurring deep inside <b>Hendon</b> territory, the yellow card was entirely correct.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">With <b>Rankin</b> and <b>Godfrey</b> linking up well through the middle and occupying the two <b>Canvey </b>centre halves, it gave <b>Vilhete</b> every opportunity to run at <b>West </b>one on one. At one point he got through and his powerful drive was well repelled by <b>Russell</b>. On a second occasion his pull back found <b>Rankin</b> whose effort was superbly pushed away by <b>Russell</b> who was at first going the wrong way (<b>Vilhete</b> tapped the rebound in but from an offside position) and then late on, he got around the <b>Canvey</b> keeper, pulled the ball back again for <b>Rankin</b> who scuffed his effort wide of the goal. With a little more fortune, the former <b>Arsenal</b> man would have been walking home with the match-ball, one final chance that owed as much to his strength and resilience saw him poke the ball no more than 6 inches past the far post with the goalkeeper beaten. <b>Hendon</b> probably deserved a second goal for their efforts, but for one reason or another, it didn’t come.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiqqswAThe_6l9TeL6Rbqg2blDbCESZfVWRbaxtPt7ntc1TPXysz-tlJbuhvokU8TieirkavjUJdZkY4qb8bGEdzTbkJTJatq4kO6rL4MYUjcawznK2cx5gTY1TD8JIrwObZT4tgqmhI/s1600/James+Russell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiqqswAThe_6l9TeL6Rbqg2blDbCESZfVWRbaxtPt7ntc1TPXysz-tlJbuhvokU8TieirkavjUJdZkY4qb8bGEdzTbkJTJatq4kO6rL4MYUjcawznK2cx5gTY1TD8JIrwObZT4tgqmhI/s1600/James+Russell.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James Russell - Outstanding for the Islanders</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">And that was fine, because <b>Canvey</b> in truth, threatened little. It’s obvious why they have only scored 16 league goals so far this season, they are probably a couple of players short of being a play off side. Maybe a livewire striker and a winger to compliment <b>Alex Rhodes</b>. Still, this was a good 3 points for the Greens who can go into the very difficult trip to <b>Lowestoft</b> in good heart and confident mood. If anything, Saturday afternoon was more than a return to the form of earlier on in the season, but the most complete 90 minutes I’ve seen us have so far. There’s no doubt that the additions of <b>Sinclair</b> and <b>Currie </b>helped, but I think just as important was <b>James Fisher</b> in the middle of the park. He brought a calm authority to proceedings that we have lacked in the last couple of weeks and on this evidence, looks a very neat signing by the manager. 3 points, out of the rut and a clean sheet again. A week really is a long time in football.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u>Player Ratings</u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Sean Thomas:</b> Largely untroubled, but kept his concentration to make a couple of very smart claims and one good save to keep a well deserved clean sheet. <b>7</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>2. James Parker:</b> Best I’ve seen from him this season. Dealt with any threat he was up against well, including Alex Rhodes in the 2<sup>nd</sup> half and pushed forward to good effect too. Looked much more confident. <b>7</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>3. Scott Cousins:</b> Another smart performance by the skipper, Mr. Consistency once again (one or two loose passes excepted). Defended well, used the ball well, Good stuff again. <b>7</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>4. Ryan Wharton:</b> Outstanding. Fast becoming the lynchpin of the Greens back 4. Dealt with the physical threat of Jason Hallett, scorer of a treble here last season, extremely well. Text book centre half performance. <b>9</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>5. Frank Sinclair:</b> Oozed class. Looked to have an extra few seconds on the ball, barely had to break sweat and passed the ball well. Not sure every match will be this much of a stroll for him, but reminded me of Ian Cox at Maidstone a few years ago. <b>8</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>6. Dave Diedhiou:</b> Loose in possession once or twice again, but far more dominating performance by the big guy who along with James Fisher did well to stop Matt Game and Rob King dominating the game as they did 3 weeks ago. <b>7</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>7. James Fisher:</b> Took a few minutes to settle down and misplaced a couple of passes but soon looked as though he’d been part of the side for years. Broke things up well, passed the ball well. Very assured performance. <b>8</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>8. Elliott Godfrey:</b> Influential in what I suspect may be his favourite position just off the number 9. Looked sharp, fitter and happier in possession and was at the centre of much that was good about Hendon’s approach play. <b>8</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>9. Elliott Charles:</b> Worked hard in the first half before being replaced at the break. Didn’t have a sight of goal, but kept both centre halves occupied at all times. <b>7</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>10. Darren Currie:</b> As impressive off the ball as on it. His first touch was dead weight, every pass was made with purpose, can still beat a man with skill, if not pace, and still has a very sharp footballing mind. A pleasure to watch. <b>8</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>11. Mauro Vilhete:</b> Wreaked havoc on both Canvey full backs and with a better final ball would have been the architect behind a far greater scoreline. Easy to see why he’s been involved with Barnet’s first team in the past. Worked hard as well, tracked back and made a superb tackle in his own half in the second period. <b>9</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u>Substitutes</u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>12. Isaiah Rankin: </b>Best performance of the season by a mile coming off the bench at half time. Moments of class, well taken goal and unlucky not to add to his tally on a couple of occasions. <b>8</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>14. Belal Aiteouakrim:</b> Came on late for Vilhete who took a knock. Threatened to break clear late on but his control let him down. Looks low on confidence.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>15. Carl McCluskey:</b> Replaced Elliott Godfrey with about 15 minutes remaining and kept things ticking over smoothly behind Rankin. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Star Man: </b>Ryan Wharton</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Match Rating:</b> 7/10</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Verdict:</b> A thoroughly deserved 3 points and a much better feeling around the place than six days previously. Everyone was on their game, and didn’t let the visitors get started. No doubt that the new faces added a lot of quality to the side, on this evidence, the longer they’re available the better.</div>Whitmarsh's Whiskershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06366879985557851787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625891224039709453.post-73432790107222604832011-11-09T03:52:00.000-08:002011-11-09T03:52:54.626-08:00What a load of Poppycock<div class="MsoNormal">On November 11<sup>th</sup> 1987, England played Yugoslavia and won the game by 3 goals to 2. I would imagine this means very little to anyone but perhaps the most ardent England fan, it’s certainly not a game I remember for any reason at all. But perhaps I should have done and perhaps you should have done, because on this day, the 69<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the Armistice that ended World War I, no England player was wearing a poppy.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m a big supporter of anything to do with Remembrance Sunday or Armistice Day. I observe a minute of silence at 11am, I buy and wear a poppy as I have done since I was a child, I go to Remembrance Sunday services and often watch in awe the procession of veterans from various conflicts at the Cenotaph. I grew up during the Falklands War, I know people who served in the Gulf and Afghanistan, anyone who takes up arms in the name has my immediate respect because I know it’s something I would utterly fail to do. I may not, and generally don’t agree with the reasons behind going to war, particularly in the last decade or so, but I can separate the servicemen from the politics.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Over the last couple of years, around this time of year poppys have started appearing on team’s shirts, particularly in the Premier League, and the England team’s main sponsors, Vauxhall, are heavily linked with the Help for Heroes Charity for servicemen. It makes sense therefore for the FA to want the side on Saturday evening to display poppies on their shirts for the friendly with Spain.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This however, goes against FIFA regulations with regards to personal, political and religious slogans, which seems sensible given the promotion of football being one family and such like. Therefore, they have banned poppies from the players shirts. Again, this to me makes absolute sense. What I didn’t expect was for this move to light the blue touch paper and send the British media, footballing world and general public as a whole into complete reactionary meltdown.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I can understand the FA being disappointed, I can understand the FA appealing the decision. I can equally understand FIFA being wary of being seen allowing a precedent by granting the FA’s request. I can even understand to a level the outpouring of nonsense from sections of the media, afterall, it’s simply how they operate in this country. What baffles me most (although is in no way surprising given the rhetoric after various recent events) is the response of leading members of the British Government. Sports Minister Hugh Robertson has written to FIFA asking for permission for English and Welsh players to wear poppies commenting ‘Wearing a poppy is a display of national pride, just like wearing you country’s football shirt’ completely ignoring the dubious merit some players appear to give the wearing of their country’s football shirt before continuing ‘The British public feel very strongly about this issue – it is not religious or political in any way’ and overlooking the fact that by interfering in the ‘dispute’ and writing to FIFA, he has just gone and made the whole affair overtly political. Our esteemed Prime Minister has helpfully waded into the debate and rather than saying ‘you know what, I’ve got better things to discuss this morning,’ instead described FIFA’s decision as ‘outrageous’. Is it any wonder England failed to garner much support for their World Cup bid when this man was one of our leading ambassadors at the vote?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The FA have since said that the players will wear poppies on their training tops, that a wreath will be laid in the centre circle during the anthems, that the players will be wearing black armbands and that there will be a minute’s silence before kick off. Surely this is enough, non? The British Legion, who perhaps should be best placed to comment, have said that poppies on the player’s shirts isn’t necessary. Why then the tidal wave of bitterness?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I genuinely think people are missing the point of wearing a poppy if they’re wearing it as a display of national pride. I was brought up that we wore a poppy to remember the sacrifices made by other people in the hope that we wouldn’t have to live through the horrors they did. And that continues today with British servicemen and women serving abroad. They have my everlasting gratitude for their sacrifices, they don’t need me to pompously misuse the poppy as a sign of Britishness or needlessly use it to browbeat FIFA for something that wasn’t essential 24 years ago. Just what exactly has changed in that period that makes a poppy so vital for 90 minutes? I’ve seen it described this morning as ‘traditional’ in this country. It takes longer than a couple of years to build a tradition. Veterans and servicepeople aren’t going to denigrate footballers for not displaying it for 90 minutes at the weekend. So let’s drop it now shall we and stop trying to divert the attention away from what is likely to be another painful footballing lesson at the hands of the Spanish.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If only the FA and government put as much effort into youth coaching….</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0G03GUBk5hAuin9fCU1-o3tDyfNb1gcqs5N2ijRZFXmAI2UONIJxwwNjUDiUdJ0VMV-JeyZa8cDCJm2WSLeWNuptnIal99uQMYJLMcnIsu0OtzL78PI6412Kzn0Otx22PqCTGVJaoO0/s1600/poppy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0G03GUBk5hAuin9fCU1-o3tDyfNb1gcqs5N2ijRZFXmAI2UONIJxwwNjUDiUdJ0VMV-JeyZa8cDCJm2WSLeWNuptnIal99uQMYJLMcnIsu0OtzL78PI6412Kzn0Otx22PqCTGVJaoO0/s320/poppy.gif" width="254" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Whitmarsh's Whiskershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06366879985557851787noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625891224039709453.post-72815259693646188102011-11-07T03:06:00.000-08:002011-11-07T03:06:40.978-08:00Still In the Rut - Sunday Review<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" /> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><b>Hendon 1-2 Leatherhead</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Ryman League Premier Division</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Sunday 6<sup>th</sup> November 2011</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Vale Farm</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I have thought long and hard about this one for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I don’t want to be too knee-jerk (emphasis on the jerk) in my reactions to yesterday and secondly, I don’t want to do <b>Leatherhead</b> out of any credit due for their efforts and fully deserved win. Perhaps it’s best to let the number to speak for themselves though. In our last three league matches, all of which have been at home, we have faced two newly promoted sides and two sides who were occupying the bottom two places in the division. Our return has been a single point.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I know there have been mitigating factors with the ever lengthening injury list, there were perhaps half a dozen stood watching when they could otherwise have expected to have started if fit, but the XVI players named in the squad lacked absolutely nothing for the required experience or quality to win games at this level. The feeling very much remains that having taken the lead in all three of these matches (plus the League Cup tie at Harrow) that 2 months ago, we would have come away with at least 6 or 7 points. That we have taken an early lead against <b>Met Police</b> and again yesterday and gone into the break behind asks quite a few questions.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In spite of this, we remain 5<sup>th</sup> in the table, only <b>Lowestoft</b> have a game in hand behind us and we still have the joint best defensive record in the division with <b>AFC</b><b> Hornchurch</b> so there are reasons to remain positive. Our next 5 league matches could well end up making or breaking our season as we have to play <b>Canvey Island </b>and <b>Billericay Town</b> (FA Trophy commitments permitting) at home and <b>Lowestoft Town</b>, <b>Cray Wanderers</b> and <b>AFC</b><b> Hornchurch </b>away. We desperately need, somehow, to get key man back fit and in the side and look to regain the solid shape that we began the season with if this term isn’t to emulate last year and slither away down into the sewer after going out of the FA Cup.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Things began so brightly yesterday as well, <b>Chico Ramos</b> superbly tipping over an <b>Isaiah Rankin </b>header that was destined for the top corner of the net before from the ensuing corner, the ball bounced up and hit <b>Rob Hill</b> on the hand. The referee was well positioned and pointed straight away to the spot, and to <b>Leatherhead’s</b> credit, their players didn’t debate the decision. There was some debate as to whether or not it was a penalty, whilst it unquestionably struck <b>Hill </b>on his left hand, there was little he could do as the ball bounced up and struck him, his hand remaining by his side. It was a decision that would have gone against us as many times as it would go for us. The man whose opinion mattered gave the spot kick and in <b>Jamie Busby’s</b> absence, <b>Elliott Charles</b> gleefully sent <b>Ramos </b>the wrong way to give the Greens a 6<sup>th</sup> minute advantage.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8V-2lJHUl8gE8q4siaL60_Ru9oF0KzRXub_EG2yN16sQZPnoP4O33rNEDVGZNp0yubcW7MWwXeR0p6Q8q9xCWCcTfjMTWTp7gBw5ecOyP621jGrAnNbjopLybf5xTWhtfzPJAlFV2Zsc/s1600/Chico+Time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8V-2lJHUl8gE8q4siaL60_Ru9oF0KzRXub_EG2yN16sQZPnoP4O33rNEDVGZNp0yubcW7MWwXeR0p6Q8q9xCWCcTfjMTWTp7gBw5ecOyP621jGrAnNbjopLybf5xTWhtfzPJAlFV2Zsc/s1600/Chico+Time.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chico tries to out-fox Elliott Charles from the Spot...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Rather than build on the early goal and go for the jugular, <b>Hendon</b> were unable to take the game by the scruff of the neck. <b>Leatherhead</b> began to settle, their 5 man midfield quickly getting the upper hand over <b>James Archer </b>and <b>Kevin Maclaren</b> in the middle for <b>Hendon</b>. <b>Dave Diedhiou</b> and <b>Barnet</b> loanee <b>Mauro Vilhete</b> began wide for the Greens, but they were unable to offer much in the way of help for the two in the centre. For all of that, <b>Hendon</b> were close to extending their lead when a superb pass by <b>Maclaren</b> found <b>Charles</b> on the edge of the box and he in turn found the overlapping <b>Diedhiou</b> on the right flank. The big fella swung a dangerous cross in around the edge of the 6 yard box that <b>Vilhete</b> flung himself at full length but was just unable to connect with, and as a consequence the danger passed.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As far as <b>Leatherhead</b> were concerned that is as play was swiftly transferred to the other end and <b>Kev Terry, </b>who was outstanding ploughing a lone furrow up front on his own found himself in behind <b>James Parker</b> and as <b>Thomas </b>spread himself, he dinked a beautiful little lob over the goalkeeper and into the net. It’s the kind of finish I used to dream about, but rarely executed as a kid. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVRxDwNViNwBpU4bjvDFzlu_MRYimeUugWC-0lvydTVieAtYLWxPNJ3DUNszym7p5Igi1PaGAMk4ATpjKyXVN-bQnk8Aw_3hhJ_at09SJsrkCWERD1-2pwXrIJgqFLAzBICzYWb4q8QA/s1600/Kev+Terry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVRxDwNViNwBpU4bjvDFzlu_MRYimeUugWC-0lvydTVieAtYLWxPNJ3DUNszym7p5Igi1PaGAMk4ATpjKyXVN-bQnk8Aw_3hhJ_at09SJsrkCWERD1-2pwXrIJgqFLAzBICzYWb4q8QA/s1600/Kev+Terry.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A decent re-creation of Kev Terry's goal yesterday, in mirror image.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">That was the catalyst for the visitors to take complete control of the half, and although they didn’t trouble <b>Thomas</b> unduly, they looked the more cohesive unit and played some good stuff, taking advantage of the extra body in the middle of the park. What turned out to be the winner came 11 minutes before the break when the ball fell for <b>Mark Simmons</b> just outside the D, he struck a low shot that appeared to take a deflection on it’s way through and wrong foot the <b>Hendon </b>custodian, before nestling in the bottom corner of the net. The half petered out pretty quickly with <b>Leatherhead </b>in complete control, and bafflement being the look on most Greens Fans brows.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Most of the 2<sup>nd</sup> half was played out in the <b>Leatherhead</b> half as <b>Hendon</b> looked for a way back into the game. For all the possession they enjoyed, they lacked the guile and wit to breach the stoic <b>Leatherhead</b> defence superbly marshaled by joint boss <b>Jamie Coyle</b>. Loud shots for a penalty were waved away early on when <b>James Archer</b> broke into the box before being stopped by what looked to this observer, a good clean challenge by <b>Hill </b>or <b>Chris Boulter</b> before <b>Elliott Charles</b> stretched to meet a <b>Parker </b>cross but couldn’t direct his header on target. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I couldn’t help but feel at times that we were a bit predictable in our approach at times (this is something I agreed with from the twitter feed from the game). I have no problem with playing a target man and looking to hit him early, but I’m not sure how wise it is when the centre half, in this case <b>Coyle</b>, has the beating of the striker in the air 80% of the time and there are no green shirts around <b>Charles</b> to contest, never mind pick up, the 2<sup>nd</sup> balls. It meant that all too often attacks broke down before they’d really got started and it was only when we got tried to get in down the sides or into the channels that we looked at our most dangerous. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Coyle </b>was again at his best blocking a powerful <b>Rankin</b> shot at point blank range, and <b>Hendon</b> forced a number of corners, which were either dealt with by <b>Ramos </b>coming out to punch clear, not always convincingly, or on one occasion, scrambled onto his near post as <b>Cousins</b> neatly whipped a low one in towards goal. <b>Chris Boulter</b> cleared off the line late on, and a late effort went narrowly wide, but if the second half was to be described as a siege, then it was one where the battering ram was made of foam rather than wood, where the arrows were made of paper rather than flint. Despite the balls into the box, despite the half chances created, I never really felt we looked like we were going to equalise and as such, I couldn’t begrudge <b>Leatherhead </b>the points.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">They were whole-hearted, committed and playing for each-other. They were well organised, well drilled and looked lively going forward. It’s hard to see them going down on this evidence, particularly when you consider that they were without their two leading scorers, <b>Tommy Hutchings</b> suspended and <b>Greg Andrews</b> on honeymoon. <b>Coyle </b>and <b>Richard Brady</b> have clearly done a good job so far in getting the side united and believing in themselves, that they can compete in the Ryman Prem. To be honest, I’d really like to see them stay up. They seemed like a good bunch yesterday, good luck to them in their battle to stay up.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">For the Greens, things don’t look quite so rosy at the moment, but as we know, that can turn around in a heartbeat. A clean sheet, a scrappy 1-0 win against <b>Canvey</b> next Saturday and all of a sudden belief returns, and the trip to Suffolk and <b>Lowestoft</b> doesn’t look so daunting. <b>James Fisher</b> continues his rehabilitation and talk was of <b>Elliot Godfrey </b>and <b>Greg Ngoyi</b> both nearing a return within the next week to 10 days. It was also good to see <b>Carl McCluskey</b> return from the substitutes bench yesterday. But the fact remains that things need to improve quickly if we’re serious about looking at a play off bid this term. I know there’s still 29 matches to play, but we saw last season just how quickly the wheels can fall off and a campaign just peter out into a slightly depressing anti-climax. A big challenge awaits the management team and players to see how they can respond. We’re still fully behind you.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzn0OIrWTReDNV9AJDY68ATcgdtSLDKIaF0fGc4T3m6-_nfoLUUitllYkO1hoFUzPaUL8Dg2xdJfQEIA_POOF-SIU-WllbLudmLwWVhw7ZCuwTldwMfmh06y4BIrcBHqno9Pd82FrPXwg/s1600/Gary%252BMcCann%252BOrient%252B1997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzn0OIrWTReDNV9AJDY68ATcgdtSLDKIaF0fGc4T3m6-_nfoLUUitllYkO1hoFUzPaUL8Dg2xdJfQEIA_POOF-SIU-WllbLudmLwWVhw7ZCuwTldwMfmh06y4BIrcBHqno9Pd82FrPXwg/s320/Gary%252BMcCann%252BOrient%252B1997.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was going to use this pic before the Aveley game. But Carl Griffiths (Red & White) has left them now. So y'know, meh.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>Player Ratings</u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><u><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br />
</span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>1. Sean Thomas</b>: Left no chance with either goal and otherwise had little to do. One fairly straightforward save from a Simmons chip in the 2<sup>nd</sup> half and a couple of good catches in the first half from crosses. <b>6/10</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>2. James Parker:</b> I’m not entirely convinced about Parks at right back. Terry got in behind him for the first Leatherhead goal, although he has played there before, I think he’s better in the middle. <b>6</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>3. Scott Cousins:</b> Defensively sound, lured into overhitting some of the balls into Charles on a couple of occasions. Very nearly scored direct from a corner in the 2<sup>nd</sup> half. <b>6</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>4. Ryan Wharton:</b> Another very sound display from the centre half, good in the air, even better on the ground and a little bit of class when bringing the ball forward in the second half. Another good performance. <b>7</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>5. Bradley Fraser:</b> He may be suffering from not getting a run of games, and although generally defended pretty well, I don’t have the same confidence in him as I do Michael Peacock, I always get the impression he’s moments away from dropping a rickett. Did well enough yesterday though. <b>6</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>6. Kevin Maclaren:</b> I thought considering he was pretty overwhelmed in the midfield in the first half he put in a good performance. Passed the ball well and made two or three very good challenges indeed. Shame he’ll be suspended next week. <b>7</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>7. James Archer:</b> Worked hard in midfield, and came alive a bit after the break when he played a bit wider. Don’t think he’s a natural central midfielder and was out-fought at times in the first half. Better at full back on this evidence. <b>6</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>8. Dave Diedhiou:</b> Sometimes you just to shake him and ask him to make the most of his imposing figure and dominate games from the midfield, put himself about a bit more. <b>5</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>9. Elliott Charles: </b>Smartly taken penalty, and probably as usual, our liveliest attacking threat again. Dominated in the air for a change though, and I do wish he’d learn to stay onside, particularly considering he has pace to burn. <b>6</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>10. Isaiah Rankin:</b> Some touches of class, and did well considering he spent much of the afternoon out on one flank or the other. Unlucky early on when his header was saved, and probably carried as much goal threat as anyone did. Ran out of puff. <b>6</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>11. Mauro Vilhete:</b> Definitely has something about him, but was largely muscled out of things. Could have done with changing his studs in the first half, but there were moments of promise. <b>6</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Substitutes</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>13. Carl McCluskey:</b> Came on for the last half an hour, which was good to see after his knock last week. Unable to really influence proceedings though. <b>5</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>14. Belal Aite-Ouakrim:</b> Replaced Rankin with 20 minutes remaining, ran up a couple of blind alleys and got little change from the Leatherhead back line. <b>5</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>15. James Fisher:</b> Late replacement for Dave Diedhiou</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Star Man:</b> Kevin Maclaren</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Match Rating: </b>6/10</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Verdict:</b> Once again Hendon fail to hold on to a lead and look a shadow of the side that they were at the start of the season. Leatherhead fully deserved the 3 points based on their work rate and organisation alone. More performances of this ilk, and they will stay up reasonably comfortably. There are plenty worse sides in the division on this evidence. </div>Whitmarsh's Whiskershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06366879985557851787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625891224039709453.post-27165702678365465512011-11-04T07:57:00.000-07:002011-11-04T07:57:26.394-07:00Supersonic Storming Sunday Swannell Derby Preview<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" /> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><b></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Hendon v Leatherhead</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Ryman League Premier Division</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Sunday 6<sup>th</sup> November 2011</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Vale Farm</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">September 9<sup>th</sup> 1978. I would presume that only a handful of people at the game this coming Sunday would have been present the last time <b>Hendon</b> hosted <b>Leatherhead</b> in an Isthmian League Premier Division match in what has never become known as the <b>John Swannell </b>derby. Mick Garrini was the <b>Hendon</b> goalscorer in a 1-1 draw during the Tanners’ last season at this level before their play-off win against <b>Dulwich</b> back in May saw them return to the top flight of the Ryman League.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MyztezBmZkNN2k9F-7vb47bOgLY2eMufqVZDQywYftnv_9P6vmi6f_HcKKYC-_XfdJVkL8XXGhEASE7X4eFOPacl5i0XOpIb0bRpDgMjfZk6ORCK9W_8nmthBUkXi04hUqax8j5-8D0/s1600/John+Swannell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MyztezBmZkNN2k9F-7vb47bOgLY2eMufqVZDQywYftnv_9P6vmi6f_HcKKYC-_XfdJVkL8XXGhEASE7X4eFOPacl5i0XOpIb0bRpDgMjfZk6ORCK9W_8nmthBUkXi04hUqax8j5-8D0/s1600/John+Swannell.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Swannell: The legend who hasn't lent his name to Hendon v Leatherhead matches.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"> The two sides have met since <b>Leatherhead’s</b> relegation, most notably in the League Cup during the fast, furious and mostly fecking awful reign of <b>Gary Farrell</b> (one of the nicest, most genuine blokes I’ve ever talked to about football, simply not a manager). Rumours that <b>Danny Butler</b> was awarded the champagne post match in the away team’s dressing room for his performance in extra time have never been confirmed, but his defending for the 3 <b>Leatherhead </b>goals that sealed their 6-3 win had to be seen to be believed. I’ve seen plenty of bad centre backs over the years playing for the Greens, I’ve seen even more with little in the way of pace. I have never ever seen a 15 minutes from anyone, not even <b>Mavuto Sakala</b>, <b>Christian Hyslop</b> or <b>Simon Underwood</b>, that was as abhorrent as <b>Butler’s</b> that night. It wasn’t just that he was caught ball watching on 3 occasions, it was that he quite clearly couldn’t give a fiddling fart. I don’t mind players being crap so long as they at least give the impression of putting a bit of effort in. <b>Butler</b><b>, </b>who had come with a decent reputation as being a good centre half in his time at <b>Northwood</b> and <b>Wealdstone,</b> never really convinced me in his time at <b>Hendon</b>, but that quarter of an hour was absolutely staggering.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Tanners found life difficult in the Premier Division as <b>Mick Sullivan</b> largely kept faith with the players that had done so well in getting them promoted last season. Although only really taken apart by <b>Cray Wanderers</b>, the Tanners picked up just 2 points from their first 10 matches of the season, six of their defeats coming by just the odd goal. Although clearly frustrating, there were suggestions that actually, they weren’t too far off being where they needed to be. <b>Sullivan</b> departed at the end of September and was replaced by <b>Jamie Coyle</b> and <b>Richard Brady</b>, previously the management team at Division 1 South side <b>Sittingbourne.</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Since the change in management, the side have enjoyed an excellent run in the FA Cup that included a superb 3-0 win at <b>Billericay</b><b> </b><b>Town</b> and ended only in extra time against <b>Sutton United</b> in a midweek replay after 3-3 and 2-2 draws after 90 minutes. The Tanners have also progressed in the League Cup against <b>Wealdstone</b>, on penalties after a 2-2 draw and although they were knocked out of the FA Trophy a fortnight ago by <b>Cirencester Town</b>, they have picked up their first league win of the season beating <b>East Thurrock United</b> 2-1 three weeks ago. With mostly the same players, <b>Coyle </b>and <b>Brady </b>appear to have managed to solve their biggest problem which was scoring goals. <b>Greg Andrews</b> has 8 to his name in all competitions and <b>Tommy Hutchings</b> has netted in each of his last three matches. On the flip side however, they have conceded quite a few goals in recent weeks, 11 in their last 4 matches which suggests that the Greens will get opportunities this weekend.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVg0D_bQjUAamMlov9tFe2vyaoVMBLnMGlAWG4hflsJvuMgbPR9Zrp6J3LZOA6q0WvDpXXWKM9FiMOapp-CTrfnc2RH2pPn7bR2pAG6PGyv6B7UIWS8bhhoqB6D8SFzOEm_J-bgKqJbFI/s1600/Greg+Andrews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVg0D_bQjUAamMlov9tFe2vyaoVMBLnMGlAWG4hflsJvuMgbPR9Zrp6J3LZOA6q0WvDpXXWKM9FiMOapp-CTrfnc2RH2pPn7bR2pAG6PGyv6B7UIWS8bhhoqB6D8SFzOEm_J-bgKqJbFI/s1600/Greg+Andrews.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goalden Greg: The Tanners' leading scorer</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">The question then will be whether or not we are able to take them. Since <b>Greg Ngoyi’s </b>injury at <b>Canvey Island</b> two weeks ago, we have struggled up front. Against both <b>Met Police</b> and <b>Horsham</b> we created enough opportunities to have taken at least four points from the games, yet came away with one. The conviction and ruthlessness we’d shown in front of goal at the beginning of the season had gone, and to be honest, it’s cost us dear. We’re still 5<sup>th</sup> in the table, we still have games in hand on teams around us, but that means Bo Diddley if we don’t pick up the points in them.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Which is why Wednesday evening was such a disappointment. We ought to have had the game won by half time and we ought to have come away with three points. I’ll be honest, I expected us to win the match (that is a rarity in itself) and in spite of our injury list, the starting XI wasn’t exactly filled with players lacking in Ryman Premier Division experience. There was plenty more in our XI than there was in <b>Horsham’s</b>, who I might add, deserve enormous credit for their gritty display and were full value for their point. It’s going to be a long road for them, but I really hope they survive this season. The fact remains however, that clubs with real pretentions of achieving a place in the play offs need to be winning games, particularly at home, against sides in and around the relegation zone.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There is a danger that this season could unravel as last season did. We’re in the middle of 3 home matches, the last of which is a real toughy against <b>Canvey Island</b> next weekend and a return of 7 points from these matches wouldn’t be bad at all. Even 6 would probably be acceptable. Anything less, and I think expectations and hopes might have to be re-evaluated. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The one major positive from Wednesday evening was the return to action of <b>James Fisher</b> for his 2<sup>nd</sup> substitute appearance of the season, the hope is that he has now put his injury problems behind him so that he can really kick on with his <b>Hendon </b>career. <b>Lee O’Leary</b> is also back in full training and when fully fit, will add a lot to the centre of midfield, particularly in the absence of <b>Jamie Busby</b>. There are a couple of players who, if they start, have something to prove in my opinion. I’m not going to name them, but suffice to say that both have proven themselves in the past to offer a lot more than they’re currently delivering and that if there comes a time for the squad to be pruned as players return to fitness, they would both, at the moment, be very near the top of the list. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So, our second Sunday kick off of the season against a side beginning with ‘Le’ has come about because of <b>Margate’s </b>participation in the FA Trophy against <b>Wealdstone</b> on Saturday, and allowing us to re-schedule our previously postponed league match. I’m not confident that we will come away with three points. League record suggest a home banker, but current form certainly doesn’t. Since beating <b>Maldon & Tiptree</b> we have at best flattered to deceive, and more generally been poor. <b>Leatherhead</b> meanwhile, have certainly improved markedly since the first six weeks of the season. The porous nature of both back fours suggests that there will be plenty of goalmouth action at both ends, and both sides will be looking for the points to kick start themselves again after the cup interlude. <b>Hendon</b> to show that the first 10 matches weren’t merely a flash in the pan, and <b>Leatherhead</b> to show that they have what it takes to stay in the division. So, what better way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon than watching two green shirted sides contesting the inaugural imaginary <b>John Swannell</b> <b>Shield</b>. See you there.</div>Whitmarsh's Whiskershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06366879985557851787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625891224039709453.post-38391223328940363172011-11-01T05:37:00.000-07:002011-11-01T06:25:16.036-07:00Sensitive Sensibilities? A Storm Unleashed Upon Twitter.<div class="MsoNormal">Saturday evening saw a storm (or at least a gentle breeze) brewing across the tweet-waves of Twitter between the chairmen of <b>Hendon</b> and <b>Wealdstone</b> over the use of the term ‘mongs’ as a description for the Greens on tweets from an account going by the name of Wealdstone_FC. Now, said account is an unofficial ‘fans eye view’ of games at Grovesnor Vale and quite honestly, is one of the better accounts to be following on a Saturday afternoon or Tuesday evening. The correspondents, of whom I believe there are a fair number, whilst quite partisan, bring a bit of amusement to their updates and often raise a smile.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For those who follow him on twitter as well, there has been a further ‘Mong-gate’ involving Ricky Gervais and his attempts to ‘reclaim’ the word. His defence was that he had never used the word ‘mong’ to describe someone who had Downs-Syndrome. Which you know, is all well and good but whilst he might not, there are plenty who do. At best his campaign was ill-judged and misguided even if he was well intentioned. He was taken to task by many charities, campaigners and fellow comedians (Richard Herring was very vocal) and to be fair, Ricky later apologised for and explained his comments in greater detail. You can see an interview<a href="http://nickyclark.blogspot.com/2011/10/when-nicky-met-ricky.html"> here</a>.<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Anyone who regularly peruses the Wealdstone forum will know that it reads a bit like a Frankie Boyle script at times, there is no time for the pinko lefty liberal brigade with their Political Correctness sensibilities on there, but by and large the rhetoric on there is harmless enough. They call <b>Harrow Borough</b> the hairdressers, or the darts team, or Borer, or the scum – nicknames that range from the quite creative to solid footballing rival bashing. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">How then did we end up becoming ‘the mongs’? Comments about the physical appearance of our fan base had been doing the rounds for a little while and before long, the more eloquent amongst the Stones supporter base started calling us 'Hendmong.' For ease of typing, this was swiftly shortened simply to ‘The Mongs’. Imaginative, I’m sure you’ll agree. Boyle would doff his cap in salute.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I don’t have an issue with this to be honest, it doesn’t offend me nor my pinko lefty liberal sensibilities. I’m not going to froth at the mouth and I’m not going to start a campaign to have <b>Wealdstone</b> banned from life. In actual fact, if I have any slight niggle, it’s that the term some (and I know it is some, by no means all) of their fans see fit to use for us, it’s the complete lack of wit and creativity used. It just doesn’t seem very clever to me on a number of levels. Like with Gervais, regardless of the sentiment behind the use of the word (although a poster once saying this about us may give us a clue <i>‘As if the defeat was'nt bad enough last night you've got the mongs crowing about their victory on their forum,you can just see it todger in one hand the other on the keypad tapping furiously whilst dribbling out those ugly slits in their faces underneath the wooly hats</i>’), it feels to me as though an account on twitter calling itself Wealdstone_FC using the term doesn’t really reflect that well on the club to the wider public. I’d feel pretty uncomfortable if the HendonFC account began describing Wealdstone as ‘Wealdspazz’ or ‘Wealdspackers’ even though the account and feed is not an official part of the club, but run by fans as well. It's not for fear of upsetting fans of another club, but the potential damage such comments could do to the club. Were it an individual Hendon fan on their personal account, that’s a different kettle of fish.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Maybe the club and the fans don’t think it reflects badly on the club and even if they do, they might not care. That’s their prerogative. Apologists will, and have pointed to a comment made by the current <b>Hendon</b> chairman on the Isthmian forum a number of years ago when he held no official position whatsoever and the use of the term ‘mong army’ in a tongue in cheek post on our forum after the win at Grovesnor Vale a few weeks ago whilst this blog also said ‘until then, it’s great to be a mong’ in summing up that victory. Perhaps not very clever language and I’m not going to attempt to defend it, because that’s not the point I’m trying to make. This is the point, the title of this blog isn’t Hendon Football Club. The poster of the ‘mong army’ comment wasn’t Hendon Football Club. Even if unwittingly done, Wealdstone Football Club have tweets against their name using the word ‘mong’ as a term of degradation. Let's be honest, people are more likely to see the tweet and the account name than the little by-line about it being a fans eye view. It’s nothing off my nose, it doesn’t reflect badly on me, I just wonder whether some at <b>Wealdstone </b>may want to consider the potential wider implications of the use of the word, particularly in view of presentations made by the club chairman such as the one<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/wealdstonefc/WycombeWanderersHFriendly270711#5633805466517063858"> here in pre-season</a>. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Perhaps the home leg of our annual cup final might be a good time for the club to invite some of the kids from Ray Of Sunshine down to sample a local derby. Then again, on 2<sup>nd</sup> thoughts, perhaps not…</div>Whitmarsh's Whiskershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06366879985557851787noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625891224039709453.post-54161608148906517012011-10-31T06:13:00.000-07:002011-10-31T06:13:44.269-07:00Nothing But Pride<div class="MsoNormal"><b></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Luton</b><b> </b><b>Town</b><b> 5-1 Hendon</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>FA Cup 4<sup>th</sup> Qualifying Round </b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Saturday 29<sup>th</sup> October 2011</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Kenilworth Road</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For the third time in our last four appearances at this stage of the FA Cup, <b>Hendon</b> came away defeated, with five goals conceded and with at least one man dismissed. For the first time though, the feeling of mild embarrassment wasn’t there as I left the ground and made my way home. Instead, I felt a strange sense of pride. We’d gone against one of the three or four best sides in Non League football, taken the lead and although ended up well beaten, had by no means disgraced ourselves.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There were some negatives to come from the afternoon, namely with the loss of three more midfielders through injury. <b>Carl McCluskey</b>, <b>Casey Maclaren</b> and more worryingly <b>Jamie Busby</b> all departed the scene with various ailments, <b>Busby</b> in particular appears to be very serious as he requires an operation on a suspected broken cheekbone. The chances are that will keep him out of action for quite some time. With <b>Kevin Maclaren</b> seeing red as well and facing a suspension for the <b>Canvey Island</b> match, even the 36 strong squad named on the website is looking pretty stretched. All this, and the manager suffering from blood poisoning as well. <b>Arsene Wenger</b> has it easy.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There was a fair contingent of Greens fans who made the trip up the Thameslink / M1 behind the goal in the Oak Road end all of whom were in good voice (albeit some more eloquent than others). The official number was given as 193, perhaps not the biggest number of fans ever to follow us away from home but it certainly constitutes a decent home gate for us these days. Green shirts, hats and scarfs were widely visible and the overall crowd of 2,329 wasn’t far short of the 2,500 that many behind the goal estimated.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">With <b>Sean Thomas</b> defending the goal in front of us in the first half, hopes (as opposed to expectations) were that we would be able to sing his praises whilst he bolstered the visiting support to 194, and watched wave after wave of Green attacks flooding and overwhelming the orange clad hosts. For 90 or so glorious seconds <b>Hendon</b> fans experienced ecstasy as <b>Scott Cousins’ </b>free kick saw <b>McCluskey</b> guide in unmarked and bury a header from 10 yards or so to give us an unlikely lead.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Was it a penalty or wasn’t it? That was the debate behind the goal and to be honest, for everyone that looks at the video I suspect maybe 40% will say it was a penalty and 60% will say it wasn’t. (Judge for yourself below) The referee was exceptionally well positioned to make the call and there was definitely contact with <b>Dean Beckwith</b> and there is a school of thought that if you feel contact in the box, you’re entitled to go down. Given that we’ve benefited from two pretty generous penalty awards this season already, I don’t think we’re in too much of a position to grumble too vociferously. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Anyway, <b>Aaron O’Connor</b> stepped up and netted <b>Luton</b><b>’s </b>first successful spot kick of the season, sending <b>Thomas </b>the wrong way and within 20 minutes, the tie was probably as good as over. <b>Luton</b> were excellent in this spell, spreading the ball and pushing the full backs on in support of the two wingers <b>O’Connor</b> and <b>Jon-Paul Kissock</b>. They were very neat and tidy in possession and had the Greens back 4 and midfield at full stretch trying to stay in touch. The second goal arrived on 12 minutes when <b>James Dance</b> burst a gut to get into the box and launch himself at a <b>Curtis Osano</b> cross for the right to power a header into the top corner of the net. <b>Thomas </b>had no chance, it was a quite brilliant header although unfortunately for the <b>Luton</b><b> </b>man, he appeared to collide with a <b>Hendon</b> defender and was carried off with the first suspected broken cheekbone of the afternoon.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The third goal came midway through the half with <b>Tommy Wright</b> nodding home after <b>Thomas </b>had blocked a low shot through a sea of bodies from <b>Osano</b> and with another goal being chalked off after <b>Stuart Fleetwood</b> tapped in from a yard or so whilst standing offside as <b>O’Connor’s </b>low drive was already heading in, there was a sense of dread oozing from the pores of those Greens faithful behind the goal that a score-line of Rugby League proportions might be in the offing. That didn’t happen though, which I think was part because <b>Luton </b>took their foot off the pedal and partly because <b>Hendon</b> worked their socks off and managed to get to grips with the hosts. Getting a bit tighter to their opponents, breaking up attacks and beginning to get a bit of possession under their belts.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Before half time, <b>Elliott Charles</b> fashioned himself a half chance to get the Greens back in the game, but his driven cross-shot took a touch from <b>Jake Howells</b> and fizzed wide of the <b>Luton</b> goal. Half time came and went with nerves slightly more settled than they’d been 20 minutes previously and <b>Carl McCluskey </b>and <b>Casey Maclaren</b> joining the ever lengthening injury list. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Levels of pride increased greatly over the next 25 minutes or so after the two sides re-emerged for the 2<sup>nd</sup> period,. <b>Luton</b> didn’t settle into any rhythm and the Greens were able to enjoy their best spell of the afternoon. <b>James Parker</b> was unfortunate to see an overhead kick bounce narrowly wide of <b>Kevin Pilkington’s </b>far post before <b>Rankin </b>and <b>Busby</b> had efforts blocked and <b>Belal Aite-ouakrim</b> fired wide. There was more purpose and belief about the Greens performance.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Then, a couple of sucker punches. <b>Kevin Maclaren</b>, having already seen yellow in the first half for a disagreement with <b>Jamie Hand</b> over the quality of the former’s socks then slid in and caught a <b>Luton</b> player slightly late. It was a needless challenge, perhaps a little silly given his previous booking and the referee had little option but to brandish another yellow card and then the inevitable red to ensure that neither <b>Maclaren</b> brother ended the match on the pitch just like neither <b>Burgess</b> finished the game at <b>Stevenage</b> 6 years previously. Coincedence? Yes, probably.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Busby</b> then suffered his injury and whilst being treated off the pitch, and with <b>Hendon </b>down to 9 men, <b>Luton</b><b> </b>took the opportunity to extend their lead<b> </b>with a pair of goals in consecutive minutes. <b>Fleetwood</b> broke the offside trap this time to get onto <b>Howells’ </b>through ball, rounded <b>Thomas</b> and finished well before <b>O’Connor</b> added a well deserved 2<sup>nd</sup> goal. He really was a class apart and I don’t think anyone would have quibbled had he picked up the match ball for his efforts.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Burgess</b> finally replaced <b>Busby</b> to return us to vaguely full strength, the veteran making his first appearance of the season and 323<sup>rd</sup> of his Hendon career (I’m sure I’ve read recently that he’s passed 100 matches as an unused substitute as well) to give him a well deserved experience of ‘the big time’. <b>Luton</b><b>, </b>with a four goal advantage were happy to play out time. <b>Fleetwood</b> curled an effort narrowly wide of <b>Thomas’</b> left hand upright and despite the best efforts of <b>Charles</b> in particular, the Greens could gain no further reward.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The game ended, and the Greens fans rose to applaud their players. It was a gallant effort considering the disruption caused by various injuries and the fact that on the day, <b>Luton</b><b>’s</b> attitude was absolutely spot on. 5-1 felt slightly harsh considering our efforts in the 2<sup>nd</sup> period in particular, but the quality of the home side’s approach and finishing really was a class above. So although disappointed to have taken a bit of a beating, all those in Green could leave Kenilworth Road with their heads held high. I asked on Friday for them to do me proud, they gave it absolutely everything. All that was left for me to do was wonder just what <b>Aveley</b> was like in late October.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">We could have won a home tie with <b>Northampton Town</b>, against whom we enjoyed our record home attendance, also in an FA Cup 1<sup>st</sup> Round tie some 49 years ago. On the evidence of Saturday, the Cobblers will enjoy a tough journey down the M1. <b>Luton </b>are a good side and although <b>Northampton</b> will provide a sterner test, I certainly wouldn’t be laying money against another home win and further progression for the Hatters. I certainly wish them the very best of luck.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt; text-align: justify;">For the Greens now, it’s back to league football and with a pair of home matches approaching against <b>Horsham</b> (who lost 5-0 at <b>Hastings</b><b> </b>on Saturday, their 3<sup>rd</sup> 5 goal beating in their last 4 matches) and <b>Leatherhead</b> (who gained an impressive 3-3 draw at <b>Sutton</b> on Saturday). With the two sides currently occupying the bottom two spots in the division, <b>Gary Mac</b> certainly couldn’t ask for a better chance to get the season back on track. Yes, there is a long injury list and yes, we’re scratching around for midfielders, but if we have any hopes of pushing on in the league this season, then success is a must. On we go.</div>Whitmarsh's Whiskershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06366879985557851787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625891224039709453.post-4526949821271867902011-10-28T07:39:00.000-07:002011-10-28T07:40:36.339-07:00Make Me Proud, That's All I Ask<div class="MsoNormal"><b>Luton</b><b> </b><b>Town</b><b> v Hendon</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Saturday 29<sup>th</sup> October 2011</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>FA Cup 4<sup>th</sup> Qualifying Round</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Kenilworth Road</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Around about this time two years ago I fell into a big trap that was fully signposted ‘Idiots jump here’. I don’t consider myself an idiot especially, and I’m certainly not an idiot lemming that would willingly plunge into an abyss of pointless optimism and hope. Yet in the build-up to <b>Hendon</b> <b>v </b><b>Woking</b>, our first FA Cup 4<sup>th</sup> Qualifying Round appearance under <b>Gary</b> <b>Mac</b> I became strangely reckless in my thinking. Almost dreaming, you might say. Because I thought an upset was genuinely on the cards (no pun intended). Suffice to say, those hopes were washed away with the autumn rains within a quarter of an hour of kick off as we found ourselves 2-0 down. 2 became 5 and I felt well and truly humbled. At least I had the consolation of a pint being bought for me by <b>Danny Dyer’s</b> dad to assist my sorrows towards an overwhelming conclusion.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In our previous appearance in the 4<sup>th</sup> Qualifying Round under <b>Tony Choules</b> at <b>Stevenage</b> I had no such illusions of grandeur. I went expecting a hammering, I came away with expectations fulfilled. (I’m not going to start on the woeful lack of respect and discipline shown by some of those on the pitch during the afternoon, it’s too embarrassing). I’m reasonably confident that we’ll end tomorrow afternoon with 11 men on the pitch, discipline has improved markedly from last season, never mind the <b>Choules</b> era where finishing matches with a full compliment was the exception rather than the rule. I’m less certain about the chances of not being well and truly outclassed though.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In spite of that, I’m looking forward to the game and the occasion, even if it won't be as big a day as our trip to Ruislip a few weeks ago. Both clubs should be applauded for keeping prices reasonable, £12 appears to be about par for Blue Square South Football and as a result, fans of both sides ought to be feeling like they’re receiving good value for money tomorrow afternoon. In addition to that, I’ll be going to a ground I’ve never been to before and part of what for us will constitute a big crowd. Games like this always bring out idle speculation as to who and how many are going to attend. I’ve seen some claim tomorrow will attract 6,000, others just 2,000. I’ve seen some claim that 600 Greens fans will make the trip to Kenilworth Road, the realistic number is more likely to be 250-300 at the most. That may sound like a disappointing figure to many readers and of course, we’d all love there to be double or triple that number in the away end, but I don’t like figure masseuses for whatever reason.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FD4eVh_vvIBxBDsEe9bdL7ra22nmXCUwWsFFd3_6o5jiDEbq85EIDQRF559ZGYb2X5P36IHIQWMSBy2JMKMsG7iql4WNzawZawby59YwKLNHrS2r053bMJJdr8kl9KMdY6RgIrlfZzU/s1600/Kenilworth+Road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FD4eVh_vvIBxBDsEe9bdL7ra22nmXCUwWsFFd3_6o5jiDEbq85EIDQRF559ZGYb2X5P36IHIQWMSBy2JMKMsG7iql4WNzawZawby59YwKLNHrS2r053bMJJdr8kl9KMdY6RgIrlfZzU/s1600/Kenilworth+Road.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Will Forever be known as The Hendon End after tomorrow. Maybe.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Luton’s </b>are perhaps the most illustrious name to have found themselves dropping into the Non League game (maybe <b>Oxford United’s </b>fans would disagree) and the reasons behind their demotion from the Football League have been well documented in other places so I won’t try and explain the complex run of events that very nearly tore the club in two. That they survived is a testament to their supporters, the next step – and it doubtlessly will be – is to re-establish the club back in the League. The man charged with achieving promotion this time around is <b>Gary Brabin</b>, the man who led <b>Cambridge United</b> to the play off final in 2009, and if the <b>Luton</b> messageboard is to be believed (although I suspect the sentiments expressed occasionally contain extra tongue in cheek) then the jury is very much out on the Liverpudlian’s time in charge so far. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">On the pitch,<b> </b>the Hatters can boast a squad almost as large as <b>Hendon’s</b>, albeit with infinitely more Football League experience. Scanning down their squad list, a number of names jump out at you. Fancy having <b>Mark Tyler</b> and <b>Kevin Pilkington</b> as your goalkeeping options for example, that’s well over 700 professional appearances between them to begin with. Add in a sprinkling of <b>Keith Keane, Danny Crow, Tommy Wright, Shane Blackett, Jamie Hand </b>and <b>Janos Kovacs</b> amongst others on top of various other names of relative repute presents a pretty daunting prospect for the Greens.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxfzQ57a67NYuYuL_5QqxxtdfEr3AFaYn3yAS9j6jiWyKtyGMLtdB0h982UAYd9abXcRtrYU2Ts71XMO4EVB6XF08mJsWAxg5V9qJRVcpDsRZg-X1Gebf35Ch8dO222z6FKkuKtfif3c/s1600/Nick+Owen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxfzQ57a67NYuYuL_5QqxxtdfEr3AFaYn3yAS9j6jiWyKtyGMLtdB0h982UAYd9abXcRtrYU2Ts71XMO4EVB6XF08mJsWAxg5V9qJRVcpDsRZg-X1Gebf35Ch8dO222z6FKkuKtfif3c/s1600/Nick+Owen.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick Owen: A key figure in stabilising Luton Town</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">But, and yes, this is a big Queen Latifah sized but, bigger shocks have happened, and there will be a few upsets this weekend. Maybe fate will decree that the XI Green and White shirts will have 10/10 days whilst <b>Luton</b> may go the whole hog and field Easyjet employees in their orange kit. In all seriousness, I don’t think <b>Brabin</b> will be doing us any favours in terms of team selection and even if he was to leave players out, he’s got a wealth of experience and talent waiting in the wings. I would be surprised to see many changes in the <b>Hendon</b> line-up. <b>Dewayne Clarke</b> will be cup-tied so the big question is whether <b>Gary Mac</b> keeps faith with 4-4-2 or whether he reverts to 4-5-1 bringing in an extra midfielder. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As I say, I’m not confident of getting a positive result, I’m not even that confident that we won’t get turned over, what I am very confident about though, is that unlike the games against <b>Stevenage </b>and <b>Woking</b>, I will come away from the ground feeling proud of the lads’ efforts. They’ve got nothing to lose, they’ve had a great start to the season and ought to relish the chance to play at a proper ground in front of a good crowd against a good side. Any player that cannot motivate themselves for a day like tomorrow shouldn’t be in the game at any level quite honestly. For inspiration, we only need to look at the efforts of <b>Oxhey Jets</b> four weeks ago and just how difficult they made life for us, how close they came to nicking a replay. The gap in levels between them and us is more than the gap between us and <b>Luton</b>, so why not? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">People have been asking me this week what the best I can hope for is. The answer is simple. ‘We win the game and draw one of the Sheffield clubs away from home in the 1<sup>st</sup> Round.’ They laugh and reply</div><div class="MsoNormal"> ‘Realistically though, what is the best you’re hoping for’. To which I give them the same answer. I mean, realistically, we could win tomorrow and we could go to Bramall Lane or Hillsborough in the next round. It may seem unlikely, and it does seem unlikely quite honestly, but if could happen. I suppose from a financial point of view, going out after a replay would hit the button. All this is idle speculation of course and pretty pointless except for giving me something to do on an early Friday afternoon.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvmwNoLM5l_sNiuBg_ii_wUXKQFWBAkQ8i0WUNqCmUw0krGJKxJPnLSFgXou6WBFdeaG2j-Tfb5dgQuIeAR7cXfDmHmU9ONux0bRZt0MN2yGjF8MBS5eSuhzfvsHlJx3osPAj60QNpWM/s1600/Draw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvmwNoLM5l_sNiuBg_ii_wUXKQFWBAkQ8i0WUNqCmUw0krGJKxJPnLSFgXou6WBFdeaG2j-Tfb5dgQuIeAR7cXfDmHmU9ONux0bRZt0MN2yGjF8MBS5eSuhzfvsHlJx3osPAj60QNpWM/s1600/Draw.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is that Hendon? Is that Hendon or Luton? Please don't be Luton.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">So with just under 24 hours remaining until what is arguably the club’s biggest match since <b>Blackpool</b> away a dozen years ago, memories of those glorious away days of the late 90s at Ninian Park, Meadow Lane, Twerton Park, Bloomfield Road and particularly Brisbane Road are beginning to resurface. <b>Gary, Freddie </b>and <b>Junior</b> all played pivotal roles in some of those trips (particularly again, the win at <b>Leyton Orient</b>) and will be able to pass on that experience to the players. The feeling after the final whistle at <b>Orient</b> was simply amazing and something I’ve never felt since in my time as a <b>Hendon</b> fan. Were we to pull off the unlikely tomorrow, I think I will be getting pretty close to similar feelings of elation. I daren’t dream of that though. Just make us proud tomorrow afternoon, don’t let us leave and not be able to hold our heads high. Good luck. And altogether now…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">In </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Dublin</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">’s </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Fair</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">City</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">….</span></i>Whitmarsh's Whiskershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06366879985557851787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625891224039709453.post-81939242016036981142011-10-26T04:55:00.000-07:002011-10-26T04:55:33.786-07:00Caught By The Fuzz - Hendon 1-3 Met Police<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" /> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><b>Hendon 1-3 Metropolitan Police</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Tuesday 25<sup>th</sup> October 2011</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Ryman League Premier Division</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Vale Farm</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Last night at Vale Farm, the Green shirted Hendonites fought the law and unfortunately, the law won, thus missing the chance to go into the weekend’s FA Cup tie at <b>Luton</b> on top of the division. I’ve been thinking about the game and the performance a lot since getting home last night and I cannot decide whether or not I am slightly heartened, despite the result, or a little bit worried. Perhaps this post will take the form of an essay with a conclusion at the end. Let’s see where we go.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Gary Mac</b> made two changes from the side humbled at <b>Canvey</b> at the weekend with the fit again <b>Ryan Wharton</b> coming in for <b>James Archer</b> and <b>Kevin Maclaren</b> replacing the injured <b>Greg Ngoyi</b>. The Greens lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with <b>Dewayne Clarke</b> partnering <b>Elliott Charles </b>up front, <b>Casey Maclaren</b> starting on the left side of midfield and <b>James Parker</b> moving to right back to allow <b>Wharton</b> to slot back in alongside <b>Michael Peacock.</b> <b>Met Police</b> lined up in a nominal 4-5-1 formation with <b>Stafforde Palmer </b>the lone striker, but with <b>Sam Hurrell, Mu Maan </b>and <b>Tony Finn</b> all breaking forward at pace to support him when in possession.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The game began at a pretty frantic pace with both the visitors looking to spread the play and get their two wide men <b>Hurrell</b> and <b>Finn</b> involved as much as possible, whilst <b>Hendon</b> were looking to hit <b>Charles</b>, in particular quite early and play off of him. It was <b>Met Police</b> who shaded the opening exchanges and were unfortunate not to have gone ahead after 10 minutes or so when a low drive from <b>Hurrell</b> who had beaten <b>Parker </b>quite easily for pace down the left was deflected towards goal instinctively by <b>Palmer</b>. <b>Sean Thomas</b> was beaten all ends up but the crossbar wasn’t and the ball bounced to relative safety. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The opening goal, when it arrived came from nowhere. The Greens had offered little in the way of cohesive attacking threat before <b>Charles</b> allowed a low ball into the box to run across his body and dumped on his posterior by a challenge from behind that appeared to get nowhere near the ball. I was in no doubt that it was a penalty, and nor was the man whose opinion really mattered, <b>Gary Evetts</b> who well positioned, blew his whistle and pointed to the spot with dour precision. <b>Charles</b> worked himself into a frenzy picking up the ball leading to shrieks from the <b>Hendon </b>bench of ‘BUZZER, GIVE IT TO BUZZER!!!’ The message eventually got through and <b>Busby</b> duly did the rest, powerfully dispatching the spot kick for his 6<sup>th</sup> goal of the season.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This sparked the Greens into life and they enjoyed their best spell of the half. <b>Dewayne Clarke</b> showed a few nice touches and bursts of pace and a couple of dangerous crosses into the box just eluded a <b>Hendon </b>attacker – one particularly superb clearing header by <b>Daniel Gwyther</b> drew applause from both sets of fans. <b>Peacock </b>headed wide from a <b>Cousins</b> corner and then came the swift double sucker punch.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Both goals were preventable. The first came as a result of a needless free kick conceded 25-30 yards from goal. <b>Ty Smith</b> stepped up and powerfully struck the ball over the four man wall of green. <b>Thomas </b>got a strong hand to the ball but could do no more than palm the ball into the top corner of the net. The ball was well struck, but <b>Thomas</b> may feel disappointed that having got such a good touch on the shot that he wasn’t able to keep it out of the net. A couple of minutes later, nine green shirts stood and watched as a low corner was swept inside the far post by an unmarked <b>Duran Reynolds</b>, the <b>Met </b>left-back to give the visitors a 2-1 half time advantage that on balance, they probably deserved. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlBEYaHBLdCVi6cLwkiyU7-tdqnW7QyJFqzazWJwnI_FfWwV2Le2CiXOX3nJ9YGl-xv_aXBq_XFU7G8JXH6MH_U2RzKEyEo1CdkQhOh1ZoJVVCVRoNT7cvh5IYoIvjRaJ_EnHMdQQgBQ/s1600/Duran+Reynolds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlBEYaHBLdCVi6cLwkiyU7-tdqnW7QyJFqzazWJwnI_FfWwV2Le2CiXOX3nJ9YGl-xv_aXBq_XFU7G8JXH6MH_U2RzKEyEo1CdkQhOh1ZoJVVCVRoNT7cvh5IYoIvjRaJ_EnHMdQQgBQ/s1600/Duran+Reynolds.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His Name Isn't Rio - It's Duran. Promising left-back</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Half time came and went in a heartbeat, despite the best efforts of <b>Jamie Butler</b>, the <b>Police</b> custodian who arrived onto the pitch a couple of minutes after everyone else delaying what was an entertaining and at times, frantic second period. Both sides had excellent chances, the <b>Met</b> to seal the game and the Greens to get back on level terms. <b>Sean Thomas</b> made a superb save from <b>Stafford Palmer</b> by staying on his feet and narrowing the angle whilst at the other end <b>Butler</b> made two good blocks from powerful <b>Charles </b>efforts that whilst well struck, were quite close to the goalkeeper. He did make one outstanding save though from a <b>Casey Maclaren </b>header late on at full stretch, <b>Clarke </b>headed badly off target when well placed at the far post, <b>Isaiah Rankin</b> had a header blocked on the line and shot wildly high, wide and far from handsomely off target from inside the penalty area.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">At the other end, <b>Tony Finn</b> in particular reveled in the space he was receiving, showing pace, awareness and skill to give both <b>Hendon</b> full-backs problems on the break. <b>Palmer</b> missed another one-on-one chance to seal the tie when he dinked the ball over <b>Thomas</b> but into the side netting after <b>Ryan Wharton </b>had made his only mistake of the evening in selling the goalkeeper short with a back-pass. With <b>Palmer</b> having fluffed his lines, it was left to his understudy <b>Carl Wilson-Denis </b>to apply the coup-de-grace for the away side as <b>Hendon </b>were caught by the fuzz on the break, <b>Finn </b>breaking down the left, squaring for the former <b>Kingstonian</b> who showed the kind of clinical edge that had been lacking from the home side’s strikers all evening by driving the ball into the bottom corner beyond <b>Thomas</b>. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">An entertaining game was brought to an end by the referee and it was the away side who were able to celebrate a well earned 3 points. I felt the man with the whistle had done well trying to let the game flow and not needlessly booking players, instead relying on a word to calm things down when they could have got out of hand. The two bookings he did hand out were spot on, <b>Jamie Busby</b> receiving one for cynically stopping a <b>Met</b> counter-attack in the centre circle and <b>Sam Hurrell</b> for catching <b>Parker</b> high up late. I suspect the fact that the <b>Met</b> number 11 led with one foot rather than two saved him from a worse fate. Both sides had penalty claims waved away, and certainly from my vantage point, none looked anywhere near as clearcut as the one that was given. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For <b>Hendon</b>, going into the game at <b>Luton</b> on the back of three straight defeats isn’t what anyone would have wanted. Not only that, but the defensive solidity and organisation that we’ve shown up until last week isn’t there at the moment and we look more vulnerable. Whether that is linked to a more permanent move towards having two centre forwards is a point of debate, certainly I think there could be an argument for reverting to 4-5-1 to give us the extra solidity in midfield against most sides. With so many strikers on the books though, it’s going to be hard to keep them all happy. Additionally, I’m struggling to see the value in a few of the signings <b>Gary Mac</b> has made. They’re all good quality players, but is <b>Dewayne Clarke</b> best deployed as an out and out striker, winger or just off the front men? Does <b>Belal</b> offer anything more / that different to <b>Greg</b> or <b>Elliott</b>. This isn’t meant as a criticism of the manager at all, he will know in his mind what his plans are and how the players fit into any system which is why he’s in the hot-seat and mine is considerably cooler. Of course, added to this it is easier to be picking holes in systems and personnel just after a defeat, or in a little run of disappointing results. The most important thing is that after the <b>Luton</b><b> </b>game, whatever the result, we get back on track as quickly as we can against <b>Horsham</b> and <b>Leatherhead</b>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikC-1o_CddfCGUQnXL8wBeg92gR71trh55pbr6yDuvNG58XAOwYIqT4ULym8AlN_cSCJr1t-wmfwFJkIG_OEwUEwG0IdkI-yljNZr49mEXEM9ids9baQMmvJZOdYDPQ-rwqh-D9LSabf4/s1600/Laughing+Policeman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikC-1o_CddfCGUQnXL8wBeg92gR71trh55pbr6yDuvNG58XAOwYIqT4ULym8AlN_cSCJr1t-wmfwFJkIG_OEwUEwG0IdkI-yljNZr49mEXEM9ids9baQMmvJZOdYDPQ-rwqh-D9LSabf4/s1600/Laughing+Policeman.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's Pleased - And so he should be. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">And the <b>Met?</b> For all the scorn they attract for the way they may or may not be funded and just how many of their squad are actually policeman (it is a definite misnomer in my humblest of opinions), they looked a decent side who could possibly push for the play-offs with a bit of luck. I was particularly impressed with <b>Duran Reynolds</b> at left-back, I’d go so far as saying he’s the best opposition player I’ve seen so far this season, and if <b>Tony Finn</b> is in the mood, there are few better wingers in the division either. They didn’t look altogether secure defensively, particularly from set-pieces and with better finishing, <b>Hendon</b> could well have come away with a share of the points. Relegation is certainly not an option on last night’s showing.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u>Player Ratings</u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>1. Sean Thomas:</b> May be unhappy with the first goal, had no chance with the other two and made an excellent stop in the 2<sup>nd</sup> half from Stafforde Palmer. <b>6/10</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>2. James Parker:</b> Moved to right back and had his hands full all evening with the lively Sam Hurrell and Tony Finn. Did ok, and used the ball well enough, but was caught for pace on a few occasions. <b>6</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>3. Scott Cousins:</b> Lost out in the battle of the left-backs, but not by much. Rarely gave the ball away and did well against Finn in the first half. <b>7</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>4. Michael Peacock:</b> Pretty commanding in the air again and proved a threat at attacking set-pieces. Did ok. <b>6</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>5. Ryan Wharton:</b> Considering he’d been out for quite a long while and was clearly feeling some stiffness in the 2<sup>nd</sup> half in his back, he fitted back in very well. One mistake but he atoned for that on more than one occasion with some important challenges at the back. <b>7</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>6. Casey Maclaren:</b> Stuck out on the left flank which is clearly not anything like his best position. Gave it everything as always, but hindered by his weak left foot. <b>6</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>7. Jamie Busby:</b> Not at his best either, particularly when passing the ball. His radar was somewhat awry. Two powder-puff free kicks from shooting range as well in the 2<sup>nd</sup> half, but took the penalty as reliably as ever. <b>6</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>8. Carl McCluskey:</b> Looked leggy again on the right flank. Showed a couple of glimpses of his quality but slightly off the pace. <b>5</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>9. Dewayne Clarke:</b> My first viewing of Clarke<b> </b>in the green and white and like most of his team-mates, showed flashes of quality. Missed a great chance with a header in the 2<sup>nd</sup> half, and needs time to show an understanding with Elliott Charles. <b>6</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>10. Kevin Maclaren:</b> Did well breaking up Met Police attacks, but use of the ball was sometimes poor, attempting the spectacular when simple would have sufficed. Substituted before he belted Ty Smith. <b>6</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>11. Elliott Charles:</b> Again our biggest threat going forward, if he could work on his first touch and staying onside, he would be a hell of an asset. Worked himself two openings in the 2<sup>nd</sup> half only to be denied by good saves. <b>7</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u>Subs</u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>12. Isaiah Rankin:</b> Had two or three decent chances and showed good touches after coming on for Clarke. Maybe worth a start before long alongside Charles if we remain 4-4-2. <b>6</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>14. Belal Aite-ouakrim:</b> Came on for a couple of minutes, didn’t have time to affect the game.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>15. Byron Bubb:</b> It wasn’t until I read the team on the website this morning that I remembered he’d come on! <b>4</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Star Man:</b> Ryan Wharton</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Match Rating:</b> 7/10</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Verdict:</b> On the balance of play I think the right team won, even if the two goal margin was perhaps a shade flattering. There’s plenty to work on for Hendon ahead of Saturday but the number of chances created was certainly encouraging. Next step is to take them again.</div>Whitmarsh's Whiskershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06366879985557851787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625891224039709453.post-9888758858709700012011-10-25T02:12:00.000-07:002011-10-25T02:12:59.238-07:00Cup Exits, Managerial Exits and Wayne Brown<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" /> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">If there are two competitions that bring me out in a cold sweat, then the League Cup and FA Trophy are them. It isn’t just the continually uninspiring draws we get, it’s the fact that even if we do well enough to get through the first stage of either competition, a disappointing, and in the case of the Trophy often heavy defeat is merely 90 minutes away. The 2011/12 season has proven no different in the last week. I mustn’t be too despondent because in the grand scheme of things, the start to the season has been outstanding. 23 points from 10 matches, a win in our Cup Final down the Picadilly Line at Ruislip, 4<sup>th</sup> Qualifying Round and drawn away to Luton Town in the FA Cup, and up until Saturday, a defence that did look genuinely water-tight for the first time in living memory.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34UnHdXQBTQXhy3iaI8UXF_RTT_lY8AaqzDWERxMgsQK17BFSLtFSrzH6mi4RXD1VrVCu9qvIUk_FtnTTtn4IiVIsCgLzg0elhV8OT-yLfbQn13AatxE5MabhOjX4KVcb3rhLzQRZhcs/s1600/Trophy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34UnHdXQBTQXhy3iaI8UXF_RTT_lY8AaqzDWERxMgsQK17BFSLtFSrzH6mi4RXD1VrVCu9qvIUk_FtnTTtn4IiVIsCgLzg0elhV8OT-yLfbQn13AatxE5MabhOjX4KVcb3rhLzQRZhcs/s1600/Trophy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe Next Season Scott, Maybe Next Season</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">I can’t comment too much on either match having not attended (terrible fan, I know, but all will be rectified tonight at home to <b>Met Police</b>) but any slight disappointment in conceding two goals in a pair of minutes at Earlsmead on Tuesday night to exit the League Cup was completely buried by the battering we received at a <b>Rob King</b> inspired <b>Canvey Island</b> on Saturday to extend our bafflingly bad run in the FA Trophy. There’s no disgrace in losing at <b>Canvey</b>, they’re a decent side who are enjoying a decent first couple of months to their season. 4-0 is a beating we haven’t looked like receiving so far this season though and I thought the days of butt whippings like these might have been a thing of the past. Alas not.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Credit to <b>Canvey</b>, all reports I’ve read suggest we were comprehensively outfought, outthought and outplayed with <b>King</b> particularly outstanding for the Gulls. They go on to meet fellow previous Trophy winners-cum-relegation-volunteers <b>Grays Athletic</b> at Rookery Hill on Bonfire Night. There is the potential for a decent crowd to attend that one as well as the £3,000 on offer for the winners. A nice little earner whichever way you look at it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For <b>Hendon</b>, we have a brief return to league action this evening as we meet <b>Met Police</b>, the side we banished from the FA Cup this time last year in a 4<sup>th</sup> Qualifying Round replay. The <b>Met</b> lost 1-0 in their Trophy tie at <b>Folkestone</b> on Saturday afternoon, which added to an early FA Cup exit at <b>Beckenham</b><b> </b><b>Town</b> has left them able to concentrate on their league campaign with only the midweek cups remaining to distract them. So far, they’ve started well winning 6 of their 12 matches and sitting comfortably in 9<sup>th</sup> place meaning that barring a collapse of Eurozone economic proportions, a swift return to Southern Division 1 looks pretty unlikely, giving them every opportunity to look into allegations of racism in leafy West London.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ItBqEol9QsT8df6Vgj31aa5KNvL6KaQSmNucZPDprhYQqIb_FQnRyn4mls5ls_OJiBGaKP2Or1xIUxh528X1czD1gG1GzmCSguG0GFV70N7ovJvM7fPmE5gsckPN8p048m6Rp6qTZ4Y/s1600/wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ItBqEol9QsT8df6Vgj31aa5KNvL6KaQSmNucZPDprhYQqIb_FQnRyn4mls5ls_OJiBGaKP2Or1xIUxh528X1czD1gG1GzmCSguG0GFV70N7ovJvM7fPmE5gsckPN8p048m6Rp6qTZ4Y/s1600/wall.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left a bit, right a bit, get together! A defensive wall</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Their squad possesses plenty of quality, <b>Jamie Butler</b> trialed with <b>Lincoln City</b> in the summer after spending much of last season between the sticks at <b>Tooting & Mitcham, </b>earning rave reviews in the process, <b>Orlando Jeffrey</b> provides plenty of experience at centre back having been a student at the <b>Alan Devonshire</b> school of offside puppetry for a number of years. Further forward, former <b>AFC</b><b> Wimbledon</b> wide man <b>Tony Finn</b> provides the guile and trickery from wide positions and <b>Stafforde Palmer</b>, currently the leading scorer at Imber Court is a dangerous customer up front. <b>Jack Page</b> and <b>Craig Hughes</b> are both part of the <b>Met’s</b> squad, fans may remember both players as youngsters enjoying brief spells on loan at Claremont Road. <b>Hughes</b> will definitely miss the game having suffered a massive injury earlier on in the season, whilst <b>Page</b> has also been missing recently as part of a long injury list that probably rivals <b>Gary McCann’s</b>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Everyone will be looking to bounce back from the indifferent week just gone tomorrow night and put down a marker before the trip up the M1 to Kenilworth Road at the weekend. The last thing you want to be doing is facing a side like <b>Luton</b> having lost your last three matches. There will probably be question marks over <b>Greg Ngoyi’s</b> fitness tonight after he limped off at <b>Canvey</b> in the first half, but with <b>Isaiah Rankin</b> and <b>Belal Aite-Ouakrim</b> both no doubt chomping at the bit to stake their claim for a starting berth at the weekend, it’s not as if we’re going to have to resort to lumping <b>Craig Carbo-Vargs</b> up front on his own.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">A win for the Greens will return them to the top of the table, at least until the weekend with the rest of the top 8 not in action. It’ll be a good test of exactly how far we’ve come over the last three months or so. Not just in terms of our ability to bounce back after a couple of disappointing results and performances, but as to whether we can truly be considered contenders this season. Realistically, come this time next week we’ll be preparing to take on <b>Horsham</b> and have just the two county Senior Cups to distract us from mounting a real challenge in the league. I certainly feel like I’ve more faith in this squad than I have previously, a lot of that comes down to the strength in depth and the character shown at times to grind out results. At half time tonight we will be at the quarter point of the season, so there’s still an awful long way to go. The general consensus around the blogosphere and forumsphere is that the quality of the division this season isn’t great (when is it ever?) so really, it’s all down to ourselves and what we believe can be achieved.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Elsewhere in the division, Sussex is currently completely manager-less as both <b>Jason Hopkinson</b> and <b>Justin Luchford</b> have paid the price for the indifferent starts made at <b>Hastings United </b>and <b>Horsham</b>. <b>Hastings</b> are apparently already in talks with a permanent replacement for <b>Hopkinson </b>and hope to be able to make an announcement soon whilst <b>Horsham</b> have placed <b>Luchford’s</b> assistant <b>Hugo Langton</b> in temporary charge. Fans of both clubs will be hoping that the changes in the hot-seats have the desired effect and signal an upturn in fortunes.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1b3YC0Grhi9N5oPPXUoELU-vyKH59EWBuJqdY7hbVeMVD7LRv67NlYNmbVvHb_VJsLFT9gJSrgW4rBhtKYugLEVLjvBuiblfZLAQGgudy97oh0NaPO_BIa3BSoRH0qyCKePc901m1WQU/s1600/Wayne+Brown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1b3YC0Grhi9N5oPPXUoELU-vyKH59EWBuJqdY7hbVeMVD7LRv67NlYNmbVvHb_VJsLFT9gJSrgW4rBhtKYugLEVLjvBuiblfZLAQGgudy97oh0NaPO_BIa3BSoRH0qyCKePc901m1WQU/s1600/Wayne+Brown.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wayne Brown - New Face at Bury Town</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Wayne Brown</b> is the latest former Premier League, and former <b>Watford</b> man to join the Ryman League ranks after signing for <b>Bury</b><b> </b><b>Town</b>. 34 year old <b>Brown </b>made more than 350 league appearances in a career that took in spells at <b>Ipswich Town, Colchester United, Hull City, Leicester City </b>and as recently as February this year <b>Preston North-End</b>. He made his debut last week in Town’s 1-0 League Cup win over <b>Harlow</b><b> </b><b>Town</b>. Another one for the nerdy autograph hunters to harass.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">All being well, tomorrow I’ll be reporting on another 3 points for the Greens and looking down again from the summit of the division. The alternative might not make for the prettiest of reading. Until then..</div>Whitmarsh's Whiskershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06366879985557851787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625891224039709453.post-75952972764852719982011-10-18T03:46:00.000-07:002011-10-18T03:46:29.807-07:00It's The League Cup - Which Must Mean Harrow Again.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" /> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">The mid-season break from league action continues this evening as the much-maligned League Cup begins in earnest. Now, unlike many of my contemporaries I quite like the League Cup, even if it does come 6<sup>th</sup> in my, and probably the club’s list of priorities. I’ve never really got my head around the idea of dismissing cup competitions as an unwelcome distraction in the same way I can’t understand why clubs work their nipples off to qualify for Europe and then bleat about the work load the following season. Anyway, that is by the by, I’m talking about the League Cup and as far as I’m concerned, any piece of silverware is worth winning. Every Cup Final I’ve been to (and I’ve been very lucky to have been at plenty of them with <b>Hendon</b>) has been a terrific occasion – with the possible exception of the defeat against <b>Wingate</b> at the end of last season.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Save for a semi final appearance where we were beaten over two legs by <b>Canvey</b><b> </b><b>Island</b> under <b>Dave Anderson’s</b> stewardship our track record in the competition is pretty bleak. It’s the one competition where we are routinely knocked out by lower division sides or, as the case may well be this evening and has been for 2 of the last 3 seasons, <b>Harrow</b><b> Borough.</b> Now, I can fully understand the league’s reasons for regionalising the draw, but continually being drawn against the same side(s) does nothing to draw the fans in. Nor does charging full price entry. Admittedly, doing away with extra time is a sensible move, but it’s not going to suddenly attract swathes of bodies through the gates. Perhaps playing the first couple of rounds before the beginning of the season (yes, I realise this might cause problems in terms of budgeting / contracts) but it might help managers in terms of pre-season preparations and would be more likely to attract fans through the gate than another friendly against Dullard Albion from the Piddle Pants League Central Division. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This season the competition is being sponsored by Boon Electricals, and will be named the Alan Boon Cup. Many readers may recognise the name, and with good reason. <b>Alan Boon</b> was until his untimely death earlier this year, the chairman at <b>Staines</b><b> </b><b>Town</b> and had been on the Isthmian League management committee for a number of years as well. He was a Non-League man through and through who had a passion for <b>Staines</b> in particular but Non-League football as a whole. I was lucky enough to spend 10 minutes talking to him at a League Cup tie at Claremont Road about five or six years ago and not only was he extremely knowledgable, but a real gentleman as well. You don’t get enough of them at any level of football these days, and as a result, when one passes on the game, particularly at a local level like ours, feels the loss even more keenly. His help in staging a home <b>Hendon</b> match against <b>Canvey</b><b> </b><b>Island</b> during our nomadic period 3 years ago will not be forgotten.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVJFrNRE-UH6lWjZdH5VVqMETV1uE_ykkA_l-va8v1Rsdz61KrfpZe8lBeFV6UZWyhxWlFaSkrwM7UDeyUlgdbma1oAT_bLEv4rZHwYCU8AdMddJO4Knl7JhdgayQoxIhsdwJ6UTDxG0/s1600/Alan+Boon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVJFrNRE-UH6lWjZdH5VVqMETV1uE_ykkA_l-va8v1Rsdz61KrfpZe8lBeFV6UZWyhxWlFaSkrwM7UDeyUlgdbma1oAT_bLEv4rZHwYCU8AdMddJO4Knl7JhdgayQoxIhsdwJ6UTDxG0/s1600/Alan+Boon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Much Missed: Gentleman & Football Man</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">As I said, for the 3<sup>rd</sup> time in 4 seasons the draw has paired us with<b> Harrow Borough</b>, whom under <b>Dave Anderson’s</b> stewardship have steadied the ship somewhat since we played them at Vale Farm on Bank Holiday Monday in August. Team selection has settled down somewhat and ignoring a 5-0 FA Cup defeat at <b>Dartford</b>, they’re unbeaten in their last six league matches. <b>Anderson </b>has made some impressive signings, none more so than midfielder <b>Rob Wolleaston</b> who has plenty of experience with <b>Oxford United</b>, <b>Cambridge United</b> and <b>Weymouth</b>, and the return of <b>Evandro Delgado</b> has added extra spark to the side going forward.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I would imagine, with important FA Trophy ties coming at the weekend that both managers will use the opportunity to have a look at a few different faces in their XIs tonight. Certainly <b>Gary Mac</b> has a number of players who played in last week’s friendly at <b>Tring Athletic</b> who are knocking on the door and need game time, so I expect we might see a change in goalkeeper and starts for <b>Craig CarboVargs</b>, <b>Belal Aite-ouakrim</b>, <b>Isaiah Rankin</b>, <b>Michael Lewis</b> and <b>Brad Fraser</b> amongst others. That we have players of this quality scratching around for game time shows just what a good job Macca has done in getting together a squad with so much depth to it. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Prospects then. It’s a tough one to call. Were this a league match, in spite of <b>Harrow</b><b>’s</b> improved form, I would still fancy us to triumph. It depends very much on the two XIs that do take the field, but I wouldn’t be enormously surprised if the tie was settled by penalty kicks, which I hasten to add, would not be a lottery, but a simple test of which players can and can’t beat a goalkeeper from 12 yards out. If it comes to that, always fear the worst. </div>Whitmarsh's Whiskershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06366879985557851787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625891224039709453.post-68623155875719204572011-10-17T05:34:00.000-07:002011-10-17T05:34:08.291-07:00It's An Anderson Guentchev Dowie Derby<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" /> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">I was halfway through writing a review of my Saturday afternoon spent in front of twitter watching updates coming through from <b>Maldon</b> when my phone flashed. ‘Sh*t, it’s in’ I thought and nervously switched tabs on Firefox to the FA website. Hesitating before pressing F5, I silently said a prayer. ‘<b>Southend Manor </b>or <b>Redbridge</b>, <b>Southend Manor</b> or <b>Redbridge</b>’. The FA site confirmed my suspicions, the draw for the final qualifying round of the FA Cup had been made. Deep sigh, and I opened the link. It took a moment to load, prolonging the agony. There we are. Scroll down. Further down. ‘Ooh, <b>Sutton</b> v <b>Leatherhead</b>, that’s a toughy for the Tanners. Game 29. <b>Luton</b><b> </b><b>Town</b>, hoho, don’t fancy the poor sods who got the….. bugger.’</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I didn’t really think ‘bugger’. I didn’t really think anything. I just swore repeatedly for a few minutes audibly. The 1<sup>st</sup> round suddenly looked an awful lot more distant than it did just moments previously. If the <b>Chelmsford</b> match last season had all the difficulty of an away draw at a league side but with a fraction of the glamour, then this tie has all the glamour of an away draw at a league side but with a fraction of the potential prize money available. Swings and roundabouts I suppose.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Firstly, a quick note on how we found ourselves getting prepared for a trip up the M1 to <b>Luton</b>, which was of course by way of our 3-1 win in Essex on Saturday. Other commitments sadly kept me away but my phone kept buzzing at regular intervals. After going a goal behind to set the nerves jangling just after @HendonFC said that we had just shaded a quiet opening half hour, the longer time went on without a text coming in starting <i>GOAL, </i>the more I worried. Sometimes, I’m not sure whether it’s a blessing not being at games. Apples and pears I suppose. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Fortunately, two texts starting <i>GOAL</i> in quick succession settled me down just after the hour mark as first <b>Carl McCluskey</b> and then <b>Greg Ngoyi</b> netted to turn things around quickly. <b>James Lawson</b> was then dismissed for an off the ball incident before <b>Elliott Godfrey</b> provided the coup-de-grace latching onto a long <b>Sean Thomas</b> punt and poking the ball over the advancing <b>Darren Behcet</b> to seal a win that looked pretty unlikely just half an hour previously and which by all accounts, was a tad harsh on our hosts.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And so immediate attention turns to the League Cup and FA Trophy before the game at Kenilworth Road on the 29<sup>th</sup> October. Perhaps slightly strangely, considering the distance in footballing terms between the two sides, there are a few famous links between the two clubs that ought to get the two sets of fans reminiscing together. <b>Peter Anderson</b> made 125 appearances for the Greens between 1968 and 1971 scoring 58 goals before moving north to <b>Luton</b><b> </b>where he made more than 180 league appearances before moving to Belgium and later on the United States before ending his career as player-manager at <b>Millwall</b>. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwcc0wygXqYIXQEqoAAz8Uzk5wZW90JoQR70ZRnLzyw11QqqmSnNonkggV1LmvcCzCRQRXgKhuvwuT8qMRRqrdjF3FdlkktbMocDLXyLeVH_eT2T9Tr93hSvT-sMB7Ej7ugFGQhszS3Eo/s1600/Peter+Anderson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwcc0wygXqYIXQEqoAAz8Uzk5wZW90JoQR70ZRnLzyw11QqqmSnNonkggV1LmvcCzCRQRXgKhuvwuT8qMRRqrdjF3FdlkktbMocDLXyLeVH_eT2T9Tr93hSvT-sMB7Ej7ugFGQhszS3Eo/s1600/Peter+Anderson.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter Anderson, in his NASL days</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Iain Dowie</b> signed for Hendon in November 1986 and made his debut in a 4-1 at <b>Hitchin</b><b> </b><b>Town</b>, setting himself a high standard by scoring twice. Over the next couple of years the beanpole striker kept scoring. 23 in his first season, 28 the following season and then 27 by the time he left the club in late 1988, <b>Luton</b> acquiring his services for what remains a club record fee received of £30,000. The rest is pretty much history, as he enjoyed a couple of seasons at Kenilworth Road before moving on to <b>Southampton</b>, <b>West Ham</b>, <b>Crystal Palace </b>and then <b>Queens Park Rangers</b>, all the while scoring 12 goals in 59 appearances for <b>Northern Ireland, </b>a tally that leaves him joint 4th on their all-time goalscorer list. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVwrO7Mb7Hw4qsdruW8iTg7AJW4wKYsNIbzCYbkAe7o-mQrQj_UuE8rnXqOgF2qfojlxF2PtNGA1jQIJT7wRMmvviQwlxXtoYOvgiKQzbPHGdrU1S-RG6MM_mb2gKvoIQ3Oa3IiJ8nAQ/s1600/Dowie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVwrO7Mb7Hw4qsdruW8iTg7AJW4wKYsNIbzCYbkAe7o-mQrQj_UuE8rnXqOgF2qfojlxF2PtNGA1jQIJT7wRMmvviQwlxXtoYOvgiKQzbPHGdrU1S-RG6MM_mb2gKvoIQ3Oa3IiJ8nAQ/s1600/Dowie.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With thanks to Sporting Heroes.net - Iain Dowie in Luton kit</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">The third man to have had a significant influence at both clubs is one <b>Bontcho Guentchev</b>. I’d love to know his thoughts on the draw, but knowing that he was very much a cult figure at both <b>Hendon</b> and <b>Luton</b>, any appearance by the great man at Kenilworth Road will be lapped up by all four sides of the ground. He made more than 65 league appearances at <b>Luton</b><b> </b>between 1995 and 1997 before heading home for a brief goal-filled spell at <b>CSKA Sofia</b> and then turning up at pre-season training on Clitterhouse Park in July 1999 dressed in a Bulgarian World Cup 94 track suit. Again, the rest is history. The great man went on to star in our run to the 2<sup>nd</sup> round at <b>Blackpool</b> in 1999 before returning later on to join the coaching staff and introducing his sons to the glorious surroundings of Claremont Road and latterly, Vale Farm. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1_vXt_RNNcGVsfgBg5Zcf4UC0GFHGRtdJFiS-mHpfBsKK8QZSLGqPRYjiq1go1BjO3H0g0P46GPF87SbVpE19imA0WfqshQpI4Qm_vvpltKtRMY6fjWfEHLwV31EtnNUw4QjKXqN95Y/s1600/Bontcho2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1_vXt_RNNcGVsfgBg5Zcf4UC0GFHGRtdJFiS-mHpfBsKK8QZSLGqPRYjiq1go1BjO3H0g0P46GPF87SbVpE19imA0WfqshQpI4Qm_vvpltKtRMY6fjWfEHLwV31EtnNUw4QjKXqN95Y/s1600/Bontcho2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When he were a Tractorboy - Bontcho</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">As far as ex-pros go at Non League level, <b>Bontcho</b> was an absolute class above. Although he spent much of his time on the bench, he never bitched and moaned, he always gave the impression that as well as helping less talented players out, that he absolutely loved every single minute that he was on the pitch. Even when he made the odd cameo in his 40s a few years ago. Both sets of fans of varying vintages are bound to have plenty of memories of all three men.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Early signs are that <b>Hendon</b> are treating the game as they have any recent big game at League clubs, and quite rightly too. The two clubs will agree prices, hopefully they’ll come in a little cheaper than the £18 currently charged to get in the away end in a bid to encourage plenty to attend – particularly amongst the home fans where I imagine the lure of <b>Hendon</b> hasn’t really set pulses racing any higher than comatose. And who can blame them? The benefits of the game though, and any potential large crowd for <b>Hendon</b> are pretty significant though. Baring in mind that realistically, we won’t be getting the £12,500 prize money for winning in the 4<sup>th</sup> Qualifying Round, the more people through the gate means more money in the coffers in a few months time.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">What we mustn’t do, and what I’m sure <b>Gary, Freddie </b>and <b>Junior</b> won’t be doing is allowing the players to take their eye off the ball and simply focus on the potential financial rewards. As well as that we need to be seen to do ourselves justice on the pitch. We didn’t do it at <b>Stevenage</b> (in fact, that episode was wholly embarrassing) and we didn’t do it against <b>Woking</b>. There is a different ethos around the club now though, more professional, more structured and dare I say it, more focused. The squad has players who have a bit of experience behind them – <b>Scott Cousins</b> was part of the <b>St.</b><b> Albans</b> set up when they were in the Conference, <b>Isaiah Rankin</b> has years of professional football under his belt, <b>Sean Thomas</b> has spent a lot of his early career around the professional game and England youth teams, <b>Elliott Charles</b> has played for <b>Barnet’s</b> first team, <b>Elliott Godfrey</b> has plenty of experience of playing in front of big crowds from his time at <b>AFC</b><b> Wimbledon</b>. As much as anything else though, it’s a real chance for some of the talented younger players to make a name for themselves and show that they have what it takes to play at a higher level. This stage could be made for someone like <b>Carl McCluskey</b>, for example, who for the most part hasn’t simply looked like he belongs at this level this season, but that he looks better than a Ryman Prem player at times.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The more I think about it, the more excited I’m becoming. Roll on October 29<sup>th</sup>!</div>Whitmarsh's Whiskershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06366879985557851787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625891224039709453.post-52419771495761634902011-10-12T07:38:00.000-07:002011-10-12T07:38:52.371-07:00Why Premier League Football is Dead To Me.<div class="MsoNormal">Strangers often ask me who which football team I support. Not strangers in the street (although that does happen from time to time when I’m bedecked in a Hendon shirt), but people I get talking to through work, friends of friends and the like. When I reply that I’m a Hendon fan, I can guarantee they will look momentarily puzzled, chuckle and then ask ‘but who’s your Premier League side?’ to which I reply ‘I couldn’t give a Nun’s fart about the Premier League, Champions League or England.’ At this point, they usually make their excuses and head for the bar whilst muttering under their breath. On occasion though, they might pull up a pew (or chair if we’re not in a chapel) and find out why.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I used to enjoy watching the top flight, back in the days when football didn’t exist pre-1992 and ITV used to show The Big Match. There was something enormously heart-warming about the sight of Elton Welsby, the warm tones of Brian Moore and the promise of another thumping left footer from Ian Woan at the City Ground. Even in the early days of football’s existence, I would watch Match of the Day and Sportsnight for the highlights. Dalian Atkinson, Mark Robins, Andy Ritchie, who would have ever thought such names would belong to such a halcyon age?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yMa-H3k4h3bGcsbWG5u2iaKBnR_7YIf_Q5clxyEToVHY6N8zavMHckJqkc2WM7LeSC7w67KS48eojoTG5PHizeaSg8-LNjY_2_um68RhC0YuhuPEMkCLKoTzJTi-e8Ucai3_G6VPXlk/s1600/Ritchie+%2526+walker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yMa-H3k4h3bGcsbWG5u2iaKBnR_7YIf_Q5clxyEToVHY6N8zavMHckJqkc2WM7LeSC7w67KS48eojoTG5PHizeaSg8-LNjY_2_um68RhC0YuhuPEMkCLKoTzJTi-e8Ucai3_G6VPXlk/s1600/Ritchie+%2526+walker.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andy Ritchie and Des Walker. Back when football was football, and shorts were short.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">As time went on, money flooded into the Premier League and I became more and more engrossed with goings on in and around Claremont Road, my affair with top flight football began to whither. I’ll confess to feeling pretty good when Manchester United completed their treble with their last-gasp HendonvTonbridge-esque mugging of Bayern Munich in the Camp Nou a dozen and a half years ago, but even in that time, the top echelons have changed beyond recognition.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As soon as the Premier League was born, it was obvious that the game at the highest level in England was going to hell in a dustcart sooner or later. Whilst Euro 96 no doubt helped the popularity of the game at home, it was the money, marketing and coverage afforded by Sky Sports that really shifted the game into a new stratosphere. No longer were matches played on bare mud patches, no longer did players come out after half time still drenched and caked in mud, no longer were clubs described as clubs or teams, instead football became ever more mired in its own importance. Talk of ‘brands’ emerged. How to market the ‘brand’ that Manchester United became abroad, in the US and Far East for example. Then Richard Scuadamore removed his head from his rear end for long enough to talk of exporting the ‘Premier League’ brand as if it were tea. The 39<sup>th</sup> game, giving absolutely no thought at all to the poor inhabitants of Daegu or Shanghai who would be forced to sit through Alex McLeish’s Birmingham against Big Sam’s Blackburn, was bandied about as if it was the answer to all the world’s ills. Move over Big Society, the 39<sup>th</sup> game is here. Need to re-generate the world economy? What better way than the 39<sup>th</sup> game.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Then we have Phil Gartside’s self serving and ludicrous idea for a two-tier closed shop Premier League on the clear, (but never admitted) basis that relegation would completely kill off Bolton Wanderers and that he didn’t quite have the means to guarantee that a drop in level would never happen. Mr. Scudamore continues to claim that the Premier League and their constituent clubs is in rude health despite continuing evidence to the contrary at the majority of clubs. Is the Chelsea or Man City way of basing everything on the money, loans and goodwill of one wealthy man really a healthy business model motored towards swiftly become sustainable? Are leveraged buy-outs that saddle clubs with enormous turnovers with debts that would make even the most speculative of bankers eyes bleed and come out in a hot flush of embarrassment the way to be going? Was the case of Portsmouth, not only spending money they didn’t have but money that in fact didn’t actually exist not enough of a warning sign? Apparently not.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">You see the latest nugget of genius to come from a Premier League boardroom clearly comes in the wake of the European Court of Justice’s landmark ruling in favour of Portsmouth landlady Karen Murphy last week. Ian Ayre, currently Managing Director of Liverpool has today been reported as threatening to break away from the current TV rights deal where every club gets an equal share of foreign rights in favour of being able to negotiate their own rights a la Barcelona and Real Madrid in Spain. Even the most fleeting of glances at the La Liga table tells you what a reprehensibly and ill conceived notion that is. Thankfully, I haven’t yet seen one comment in favour of such a move anywhere, supporters groups have been reassuringly against such a move and as any proposal would require agreement from 14 Premier League brands then unless chairmen and owners genuinely are stupider than they appear then it’ll never happen, even Phil Gartside might think twice before saying ‘Aye’. What Ayre’s comments may do however is move the richer clubs closer to a European Super (not my words) League.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And to be honest, that would be a move I could get right behind. Let the clubs who would rather put money over competition disappear into an ‘elite’ tournament amongst themselves that with any luck, will be live and very exclusive on pay TV, covered widely in the printed press and as such, completely and utterly off my radar screen and leave those of us who favour at the very least, maintaining the status quo to try and fall back in love with the game we did all those years ago for the reasons we did. Friends and colleagues scoff when I look at them blankly as they talk about PSV v Arsenal in the Champions League and explain that instead, I was at a league cup tie at Barton Rovers. They just don’t get it. Few people do.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UGH!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>By and large, at Non League level football is still primarily a sport. Yes, money helps but the antipathy towards clubs (yes, they’re still clubs at this level despite a certain Surrey based best efforts) that gain promotions and such like on the back of one man’s money without putting in place contingency plans is in a way, quite refreshing. However, occasionally things creep in that I don’t like. Yellow footballs in winter (don't get me started on the red ones), clubs toying with squad numbers, pre-match handshake piffery. I could just about let Lewes’ electronic substitutes board though, that was quite nice. In short, 98% of what you witness on a Saturday afternoon or Tuesday night is football in maybe not quite its purist form, but not far away. By and large the players are there because they want to be there in front of 35 people on a freezing cold January night going into extra time. Because they enjoy it and for that very reason, I enjoy watching them, supporting them and willing them on and in turn, when you speak to them after the game in the bar they appreciate you making the effort to come out and watch them. That’s not to say you don’t get the occasional prima donna (take a bow Jermaine Hunter), but for the vast majority it’s not about an extra digit on their weekly salary. It’s not about the new contract, the new boot deal. It’s about the love of the game. And that’s the game that I love.</div>Whitmarsh's Whiskershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06366879985557851787noreply@blogger.com1