C.Rice, D.Edward (2)

After an indulgence of mince pies and turkey over the Christmas period, stonewall continued their march back to the premier league. With the New Year just beginning the men in red were determined to start it with a bang; and make it nine games without loss.
The opposition was a young and talented side, one which started the game brightly and keen to gain the advantage early on. However, it was Stonewall that could have broke the deadlock a number of times in the first 25 minutes. However, the Horseed keeper (who was ten times the size as peter crouch) did not have any real shots to save, this was even with the driving runs of Craig and Doug on either sides creating. A contender for save of the season then arrived, and not from Eric. With the ball approaching at a rapid speed and heading in Mikey showed his willingness to go in where it hurts (no cliché intended) and headed the ball away from the danger zone. Although there was some decent play from Stonewall especially from the clever work of Ian who was holding and playing people in very well, there was no score at half time.

After a team talk from the gaffer at half time the reds went out eager to grab the first goal; however, unless for some great goalkeeping not once but twice from Eric they may have found themselves behind. He was quick of his line to prevent a goal which would have been harsh on a rare mistake from Dan. As the game got back into life the much needed goal came, and Doug was the man to score it. His calm and convincing shot past the keeper made it 1-0 with approx. 25 minutes to go. However this lead did not last long. A 25 yard screamer from their centre midfielder quickly got them on level terms. As the game went on Ian and Nasser began to have more say in the game. With both sides pressing the clever thinking and intelligence of Ian to spot Craig making the run in to the 18 yard box gave the opportunity for him to make it 2-1 by narrowly slotting the ball past the GK and the trailing defender. Within minutes it was 3-1 and again down to Ian who was increasingly being the thorn in the opposition side. After taking on 2 defenders on the left hand side he crossed it in for Doug to collect his 2nd of the game. With that came some great defending from the back four, Justin, Dan, Nigel and Mikey. This was however helped by the midfield especially in the centre where Darren and Martin were having outstanding games in preventing their midfield getting the edge. This is how it finished, and proving that a break should not mean you cannot put on your best show. As the year starts so does the real challenge to become promoted back to where we belong?

TEAM: Eric, Justin, Nigel, Dan, Mikey, Doug, Darren, Martin, Craig, Ian , Nasser. Subs: James, Adam, Jamie

J.Allen (3), D.Edward

It was Mikey Kearney who was, as ever, showing his bulldog-like character at left-back, taking every tackle with his usual no-nonsense approach, whilst James Allen – a late addition to the squad – worked tirelessly up top, backed up by birthday boy Iain Drain. James’ rewards were eventually paid off with a decent finish to put Stonewall 2-0 ahead midway into the second half. Not long after, James tested the keeper once again with a shot that stung the keeper’s hands, only to show his skill by getting in the right position to finish up the rebound.
With 15 or so minutes to go, Stonewall’s defence was looking as solid as ever with their second clean sheet of the season in mind, as the composed Nigel and Darren cleared up at the back, while John Stanghon to kept the play moving forward, linking up with Doug nicely on the right. It wasn’t long before a looping cross came in looking for the ever present James Allen once again, who was deemed by the referee to have been pushed in the back by one of the Elite Youth defenders, and a penalty duly followed. It was only right that James stepped up to complete his hat-trick, which was met with jubilant celebrations from his teammates and manager.
Fans will have been pleased to see Marcos Fernandez make a late substitute appearance with 10 minutes remaining, putting all injury worries behind him. He could have scored his first ever goal for the 1st team just after coming on, after Iain Drain rolled back the years by producing a storming run down the left of the pitch. It was this chance that could have given Stonewall their 5th of the game, but a goal that maybe would have been harsh on a opposition who gave their all.

As the full time whistle went, Stonewall will have been relieved to have come through this one, whilst firing themselves back up to 3rd place in the table and keeping their promotion hopes alive.

Report by the injured Adam Turner

TEAM:

D.Doczi, I.Drain (2), N.Nakili (2)

Stonewall took revenge for the 3-0 defeat by Brentham earlier in the season with an impressive victory courtesy of a solid team performance. With a lot of first team regulars missing the gaffer (Eric) was forced to change the team around with John deputising at centre back, and Craig slotting in at right back. The game started of very well for the reds, with Doug, Nasser and Ian looking dangerous. Within twenty minutes we were in front thanks to a neat finish from Dennis, who was having an outstanding start to the game. However, within ten minutes we were behind, this being a bit harsh as we had dominated before this. As the first half passed by, we were lucky not to go another goal down. However, at 2-1 down at halftime we were always pretty confident of getting back into it.

As the second half began, a different looking stonewall team entered the field. With around ten minutes down, Iain put us back on level terms with a calm finish. With his birthday soon approaching he must have thought it had come early as he scored again very soon after with a finish any striker would be happy with. This had a great effect on the whole team with every player looking confident and enjoying playing in a confident team. The back four was looking solid especially john who seemed to be enjoying his centre back role. However, the home side did attempt to get back on level terms but Eric was having another great day between the sticks, with two class saves. When he did get beat Jamie was in the right place to clear the ball of the line. It was in fact from that clearance that the fourth goal came, with Nasser grabbing a much deserved goal. Maybe he was envious that his strike partner was on the score sheet as he scored again with header within five minutes. 5 – 2 up with twenty minutes to go and to be honest other than a brief explosion from the home side and a consolation goal, they never looked like getting back in to the game. I have been told that stonewall don’t do cup matches, well today they did and in fashion.

TEAM: Eric , Justin , Nigel , John , Craig, Doug, Shaun), Dennis, Jamie), Nasser , Ian Subs: Gab

J.Feldman (3), S.Simmons, D.Doczi

Stonewall made a good start to their Division 1 (Central And East) campaign in the Middlesex League with a hefty win over Kilburn.
The midfield trio of Martyn, Sean and Marcos took a firm grip on the game early on. Kilburn were never comfortable defending crosses and it was no surprise to see Sean open the scoring after they failed to clear a corner properly.

Slightly more surprising was the second goal which Jamie floated into the net direct from a corner kick. He then repeated the trick with a well-flighted delivery from a free on the right that also beat the 'keeper.

After soaking up a bit more pressure in the second half (though generally playing a better passing game than in the opening forty-five) Stonewall put the result beyond doubt when Jamie collected his hat-trick after Sean's shot had been saved.

Then it was time for two of the substitutes to get in on the act with Justin and Denes combining well in the penalty box for Denes to score in his league debut.

There was no clean-sheet however as Kilburn scored with a rasping shot towards the end of the second half.

All in all a good performance that bodes well for the season ahead!

TEAM: Eric, Adam, Darren, Nigel, Mikey, Doug, Martyn, Sean (Denes), Marcos (Justin), Jamie, James (Drainy)

L.Wells, S.Reguero (2)

Stonewall Reserves made a promising start with a good win over J-Gaia.

Stonewall started well with Marc and Raf mostly in control of midfield. Nathan and Nigel in central defence were on top of the opposition strikers and Adrian saved anything that got through to him.

The opening goal came from a good move down the left with Lance centering to Santi who hammered the finish home from just inside the box. The second goal came when Lance anticipated a ball over the top and finished well.

Stonewall sat back a little in the second half and allowed J-Gaia a fair bit of possession even if they didnt seem to have much of a cutting edge to go with it. A cross from the left was eventually converted after a bit of a scramble in the box to make the game a lot less comfortable. J-Gaia pressed for a win but Stonewall, bolstered by Shayne making a fine debut as sub and Aslie bringing some youthful enthusiasm into the midfield, held out. The last goal, from a cool finish from Santi after Lance was released from his own half and centered, flattered Stonewall a little.

TEAM:

L.Wells (2), M.Short, N.Urquart

Stonewall Reserves started the league season well with a hard-fought win against West London at Holland Park.

The opening goal was a good finish from a tight angle by Marc after Lance struck the post with a strong right-foot shot (yes, right foot!).

West London responded with a finish from inside the box after a cross from their left wing.

A superb ball from Santi allowed Lance to restore to lead and the game went to the half-time break at 2-1.

West London surged forward early in the second half and put Stonewall Reserves under immense pressure. After holding out (thanks to many saves from Adrian) it was Stonewall Reserves who struck next (against the run of play) when Lance headed a delicate through ball from Marc over the 'keeper. Marc also provided the cross for the fourth goal that Nathan "headed" home after a flick from Lance.

West London's second-half pressure finally paid off with a good header from a corner but Stonewall Reserves held on for the win.

The game was a tough battle all over the pitch with the main difference being Stonewall Reserve's ability to convert their chances while Adrian saved most of West London's.

TEAM:

Our second London Unity League game and first home game, saw more Stonewallers returning to football after injury or work commitments: Will Pawson, Steven Kwan and Ibrahim Anderson all making a welcome return to the squad. We also welcomed Darren Thomas Baker in his first league game for the club after joining us through 5-a-side and also playing in last week's tournament.
Evenly shared play during the first half with probably Stonewall having the better pressure. This didn't stop Titans from exploiting a mistake between our backs and goalie which gave them an easy first goal just before half-time. As we all know this is such a boost to confidence if you get it and so hard to fight back in the second half if you've lost that goal.
However, fight back we did and the second-half continued with Stonewall having the better of the chances which we just couldn't put away! Steven Kwan making a long-range shot from outside the box that hit the inside of the far post and bounced out! A great play between left midfield and forwards which saw Justin Morley break through, draw the keeper off his line, pass right to Ben Muscat whose shot was brought down by a fine save from Titans' keeper Dave Simpson. At least two other very significant chances should have been put away including one 'drop-goal' that any rugby player would have been proud of!

Titans' second goal was a scrambled affair with some pushing and shoving in the box by the attackers - but despite this, a referee can't penalise what he can't see and as a defender you have to expect your opponents to try every trick they can. 2-0 to Titans.

Titans continued attacks rewarded them with a third goal from a corner in the dying seconds of the game. This is the second time we have lost a goal to a corner at the end of a match and something we need to look at. We are all playing some good football and as a team we can generate the chances - what we must do now is convert those chances to goals and stop giving away easy opportunistic goals to our opponents.

Final score 3-0 to the Titans 'Two Brewers' team.

TEAM: Justin Morley (Captain), Conal Butler (Goalie), Dave Roberts,Steven Kwan, Ibrahim Anderson, Darren Thomas Baker, Will Pawson, Kevin Davorn, Lloyd Murphy, Ben Lonsdale, Robin Lee, Ben Muscat, Chris Basiurski, Dan Cuzner, Gary Williams, James Lamb.