Match Reports - 2005/06 Read about how the teams did in the wekends games, written be either a player or manager from the team Quick jump to: Team Results Team 1 Team 2 Quick jump to: Reports Archive Quick jump to: Stonewall Fixtures Mauritus Sports 0 - 4 (3) Stonewall 13th May 2006 - Premier Division League Game wow, what a difference a week makes. Biggest win of the season and we deserved it. Some excellent performances out there and it is going to be tricky picking the team for the final match of the season thats for sure. First half we were excellent, very attacking formation but it worked because of our passing and movement and they had no answer to it. The goals were excellent. Iain, great strike, and the other 2 before half-time came from flowing moves which were a joy to watch. Naturally, the second half was going to be tough and they came at us but the back five were superb and we kept them out. I tried to substitute aslie and give him a rest but his performance at the age of 86 just would not allow me to. Darren, excellent, lloyd and lance solid. I think we will keep andy walmsley in midfield despite his heroics at the back last week (!) Koji, best performance of season, gaku very involved and good movement. Doug, some ferocious tackles. I didnt know you had it in you! Shorty, quality and will get even better with more matches. George, not your best match ever but still very effective and helped aslie on the left. Iain, good to have you back mate, what a first goal. Thanks to dan, john and alex as well. football is a 14 man game these days so well done. Nothing left to say except one more match, lets end the season on a high and lets keep passing and moving! we are now in double figures but more importantly, since the changeover: won 3, drew 1, lost 5......thats mid table form so be proud of yourselves and get up for next week! Willesden Constantine (1) 1 - 4 (1) Stonewall 6th May 2006 - Premier Division League Game Referee 4 - 1 stonewall Simple as that. im too angry to write a full report. the passing and tempo in first half was excellent and we created chances throughout the game, more than we ever have. we made them look v ordinary before our favourite ref intervened... we have to take more of these chances or we wont win matches, simple as that but if we repeat the first half we will win many more matches than we lose. no excuse for players to lose their heads i certainly did and it cost us the second goal, but we must be positive because there was much good play and they are not a better team than us. fitness was also an issue and when we start at market road EVERY player must attend unless they phone me to explain why at least one day in advance so i can organise the session. If you dont want to go to training then you are not much use to us. 2 more matches lets keep passing and the goals will come. Stonewall (1) 1 v 2 (1) Neasden Foundation 29th April 2006 - Premier Division League Game Well where do I start? I shall start by saying too many people were not on time. We must have our preparation at 100% I think you all agree. What a match, what a performance! Utterly proud of evryone. We lost to a penalty and could have equalised at the death. More importantly we are playing good football with a bit of confidence at last. We looked very solid at the back and lively up front. We seemed a bit over-run at times in midfield which needs to be looked at and once again we have to try and sort out winning more headers. The quality of our play was there for all to see and we showed some great passion and got stuck in which we dont always do. Finally, we were louder than usual which is very encouraging indeed. Two defensive errors, two goals. SImple maths there boys. Darren redeemed his error with a good strike and could have had another. The second goal was a mix up between myself and scott who made some cracking saves. Other than that we looked solid at the back. In midfield the problem is that sometimes the midfield duo are too far apart or the wingers dont tuck in to help but we will look at this. Finally, this performance means nothing if we dont build on it on wednesday. Thats the next challenge. I want people to comment on my match reports and views either to the group or in private. Thats what we need. You guys have to offer opinions so I know what is being thought. I may not always agree but thats the way it should be. For example i made a switch before the match today after a suggestion from someone regarding everyone s positions because it was a good suggestion. We are in this togther. Team: Scott, Dan M, John C, Darren L, Eric, Alex B, Andy W, Koji, Michael K, George,Doug, Subs: Aslie, Gaku S, Paul L back to top Wraysbury 0 v 0 Stonewall 1st April 2006 - Premier Division League Game Team: -------------------- Eric (net) --------------------- Nigel C - Darren L - Michael K - John C Gaku - John P - Iain D - Andy W - Georgie Dougie Subs: 0 We were playing Wraysbury away and it was quite a little journey out to the country side. However the sun was beaming , the air fresh and our football pitch was surrounded by woodland and a tiny little stream, so this made up for the journey. We had a team just about, which does shock me as we have many registered players and Stonewall FC is down to fielding one team a week as the Reserves have finished, but yet we still did not have the pick of the bunch! Instead I had to go on with an injury and John P jumped on board to get a competitive 1st team out. Once the guys were all on the pitch and warmed up we looked like we were up for this. The game started fairly even in the first half and our back 4 were really communicating with eachother I myself took 25mins to settle with the players around me, but by having a word with eachother and showing some great covering play for eachother Wraysbury would get in but never really looking that dangerous, altho we had to keep consistent and not let our game drop otherwise they would have took their opportunities first time. We were having trouble winning our first and second balls as these players were tall lads, but we were still challenging for the ball which puts the pressure on them. Half time 0-0 In the second half Wraysbury were really looking to get a win. They had pushed players up front and our back 4 and mid filed had to really stick with this game and deal with wraybury's team change. Andy was dropping backing almost playing centre half and the rest of our mid field had to be switched on and work up and down the field. With this we knew it was a half about holding our players and keeping Wraysbury out of the game. With all this pressure that Wraysbury tried to apply, they again never really looked dangerous, there were shots from outside the box but nothing Eric didn't have a hand on. This was really frustrating the Wraysbury squad as they were aware we were playing this game nearly all in our half. Mid way through the second half Iain Drain got through almost put there ball away which still showed wraybruy that we were up for taking this if they didn't keep switched on. We successfully held this game to 0-0 and it felt good that we worked through to the end and kept our heads when Wraysbury were losing theirs. We played every minute and waited for that whistle, it was good to see us stay focused to the very end and this paid off. back to top Stonewall (1) 1 v 5 (2) Bedfont Sports 25th March 2006 - Premier Division League Game The team was as follows. - -- - - - - - - - - -Scott(net) - - - - - - - - - - - roger cray - Lance - Mikey - John Cas Koji - Darren - Aslie - Iain D - Alex dougie subs: Paul Finney & Gaku I have to say, Saturday’s game was characterised by off-the-pitch events which I can only describe as bizarre. The whole day felt somehow surreal, and not in a good way. So, apologies in advance for any inaccuracies – it all feels like a bit of a haze now. With Pete and Eric away, the team was left in the safe hands of Captain Darren as player-manager with Nigel assisting him from the touchline. We were eager to start the game as quickly as possible given that Iain D had to leave at half time so we were out on the pitch in good time and were raring for action by kick-off time. However, much to our frustration Bedfont only arrived at about 3pm and took ages to get changed so the game ended up kicking off at about 3.15 pm. We were left warming up for ages – getting bored and losing our anticipation and adrenaline for the match. This was the one of the first of several events which combined to derail our attempts to make March quite a successful month (although I suppose it has still been more successful than most). When the match finally kicked off with the blink of an eye (literally) we were 2:0 down. It would be easy to blame the defence for this but the whole team started poorly and were slow to close players down. Credit to us, unlike some other games where we have started badly, we quickly tightened up across the defence and midfield and started to play some decent football. This good spell eventually brought us a deserved goal with Darren finishing off a nice move with a good strike. Another blow to us occurred when Gaku, who had replaced Drainer after about 20 minutes, had to go off with an awful injury which will certainly put him out of action for a long time – a different sort of action though. I’ve still got images of it giving me nightmares! This meant that Paul Finney had to replace Gaku who had played well in the short time he was on the pitch. So, not even half time and down to 11 men. Despite having to shuffle the ream about and make early changes we held them quite well until half time with some good moves by Doug linking up well with the midfielders which possibly deserved to lead to more chances than we actually had. Although we had been pretty bad at times in the first half we were still very much in the game and were able to enter the dressing room at half time with a bit of optimism. However, this was a little short-lived with weird events taking over in the dressing room at half time. So, after a slight hiccup at half time we were ready to start the second half with 11 men partly thanks to Mikey’s persuasive skills. The 11 men that were left probably had 6 injuries between them and we therefore lacked our usual mobility and our fitness was questionable. This was not helped by the weather which was awful and had turned the pitch, particularly in the middle, into a mud bath which benefited them more than us. I cant remember exactly when it happened but we went to sleep and they grabbed a goal which I thought was slightly lucky which changed the game. Immediately after we took the centre we lost possession and were crucified for it by their full back who pretty much ran past everyone and slotted it past Scott at his front post. At this point the game was over and the rest of the match was a scrappy, messy affair with neither team playing much good football. We played the last 20 minutes with ten men because Lance was the victim of a vicious foul and the (fit!) referee finally decided to get his book out. We did have one or two chances in the second half and played some decent football but on the whole we lost the game by having two spells in the game (the first 2 minutes and the period in the second half when we conceded two) where we just completely lost our composure and energy. Given the situation and bad luck we had with injuries, Drainer having to go and being left with 10 men for about 20 minutes the performance wasn’t all bad. At times, the defence withstood pressure well and the midfield worked hard and provided a few good balls to Doug, but there was no consistency to our play and we weren’t able to work well as a team for long periods. Bedfont were quite a physical side (the ref let a lot go as well which didn’t help) and we struggled to match them physically at times. Final score 5:1 back to top Ealing (0) 1 - 2 (1) Stonewall FC 18th March 2006 - Premier Division League Game After people pulling out/being sick/being injured/late arrivals - the First team looked like this : Scott (Net) - Roger Cray (rt back) - Eric (centre back) - Lance (centre back) - Irish Paul L (lft back) Gaku (rgt wing) - Darren L - Aslie - Alex B - Georgie (lft wing) Dougie (Upfront flying solo) Bench : Koji (welcome bac) & Bill White (Bill who turned up to watch but put a kit on incase we needed him as we had injured players on the pitch - many thanks Bill) We kicked off at 2.15 and started this half with the wind against us and a bobbly ground, so in this first half we all knew that from Eric's team talk that winning second balls was going to be very important in order for us to control this game. In the first 20 mins, georgie and co seemed to really get in to this game putting in some good early passes that were creating trouble for the opposition. Gaku recieved a lovely pass to feet in front of goal and forced a saved from the goal keeper, but this should have been in Ealing's net. As a result of this pressure from Stonewall a chance soon presented itself when the ball came into dougie at the each of the box and with no hesitation dougie slotted this ball cofidently into the top corner on the volley . 1-0 Stonewall We continued through out this half to keep this game in our favour - Eric and Lance stayed very strong at the back with a strong Paul L keeping Ealing's wingers at bay. We had in a very vocal Scott who was consistantly controlling his area with some good saves. Half time Stonewall went in 1-0 up and the feeling that we were comfortable as long as we continued to press this team and get forward letting Ealing feel the pressure from Stonewall. After a half time talk the squad was very focused and every player knew what they had to do in order for us to hold this game to a win. In the scond half Stonewall still put the required pressure onto Ealing, as we knew that they found it hard to play football with the presure was on. People were making strong tackles and from this we continued to win the ball and break up their play. There was spells where Ealing had decided to knock the ball aboout a bit and create space, but stonewall were doing a good job in defending as a team and taking out the passes. So good to see us defending together rahter than watchin one player go to a player and us watching while he passes it through. 5 in mid field gave us the opportunity to get players behind the ball and double up on their tricky players, when necessary. About 20 mins to the 2nd half Ealing had a player FREE on the edge of the box who knocked in a cross that we should have dealt with but after confusion it crept over the line off our players and thier players ... not a good goal from Ealing but one never the less. 1-1 Stonewall stayed fairly clam, however for a moment from on the side line it looked like our heads were going to go down when it was just 1-1 . This must have just been a moment that Stonewall was having as we kicked off and continued to fight and got the ball down and played some good football. During a good spell of presure Alex put Darren thru on goal and he forced and another good save from Ealing's keeper - think darren knew he should have hit the top corner with this :) It soon came that dougie was provided with a long ball and ran from the middle of the park with 2 defenders. He then mangaed to keep these defenders guessing and eventually slotted the ball under Ealing's keeper. 2-1 Stonewall - We then held and played good solid football, and took care of a couple of free kicks from Ealing in the remaining time. Koji came on for Gaku and continued the job that Gaku had been doing. back to top Brasilian FSSC 1 - 2 Stonewall FC 4th March 2006 - Premier Division League Game I do not know about the rest of the first team since saturday, but i am still on a high! . A few occasions as a player you can call special, and saturday for me was one of these occasions. I have not one anything with Stonewall as of yet in silverware, but with the team in the dressing at 5.00pm i felt i did. For you of those who do not know saturdays reuslt it was 1-2 to Stonewall away from home against a team who are one of the serious contenders for this year's Middlesex Premier League Title. The last two seasons have been the toughest so far for this club. With all the dramas. the comings and the goings, since christmas we have settled, we have put in performance after performance and now we are seeing our just deserve. I am not going to rattle on anymore about pride passion and belief, but after saturdays result, as a team we now know what we are capable of, we have the scalp to prove it. We played a a 4-5-1 formation, with Eric in Goal, Roger on the right, Darren and Lance in the middle and Cass on the left. Mid-field consisted of Doug on the Right support Roger (dont be Jealous Cass), and Alex on the Left with myself and AJ Walmerlsy in the middle, we had Aslie Pitte Bread playing just in behind the midfield providing support for them and also the defence. We played the Lone Ranger himself Iain up front. The first 15 mins we had 50-50 of the play, with Iain going close with a lob on the keeper, but their defender did well to force Iain into a diffcult angled shot. The ground was extremely hard with both sides giving away 2/3 free kicks each with handballs. This is where the first really clear cut chance came. The ball bounced up and clipped Ms Jerry Lee on the hand and the Brasilians got a free kick, there number 9 struck the ball with so much pace it smacked and i mean rattled the cross bar and away for a throw, a small warning of what they were capable of, something which Eric had mentioned in the dressing room. Our most notable chance came when Alex closed down there centre half who thought he could just play thru us, and Alex made a darting run down the left hand side, he gave a sublime chip pass to drainer, who again just shot to the side netting, but again there centre half had managed to push him wide enough. The last chance of the half went to the Brasilians, when there midfielder made a fantastic run thru our defence and looked odds on to score when he had a one-on-one with Eric, but Darren stuck to his guns and stayed with the player forcing him left of eric, and when he went to shot darren blocked it out for a corner. This really summed up the first half for me. We did not let them play their game. Technically they are a better side than us, but we know we can play football, and even tho that 1st half ended 0-0 it was a good phiysical and hard working game to be in. At half time Eric, Darren and Andy were the most excited i had ever seen them, they knew we were in a game we could win and even tho with our technically defensive outlook, they made us aware that we had enough players in the middle of the park to cause them trouble and put them under pressure. The second half kicked off with us playing against a fairly heavey breeze. They settled a little quicker than us, but to Eric's delight they played long ball after long ball right thru to him, with no really pressure, this was a credit to aslie and doug for not letting them thru midfield. After 15 mins i slid a pass thru to Iain who had a one-on-one with the keeper, but the keeper made himself big and managed to put off Iain who shot went went. Then came the changing point, for the next 20 mins we dominated the match. Immediatley from the goal kick, Lance won yet another header, which went out left to Dougie, who went on, a pacy run down the right. There defender won it off him, but conceeded a throw in. I think in the next 2/3 mins we won about 7 throw-ins. Aslie, picked my run out to edge of the box, i flicked it to the back post where iain was, it just went wide of the post but iain managed to keep it in play and lashed it back across the goal line, only for the left back to knock it into his own net. 0-1 Stonewall, and as we all know it was deserved. 5 mins later Iain, gave me a absoulte peach of a pass, from the sideline i took it on the volley at the edge of the D, and it lobed the keeper, but it was ruled out for off-side. "I DONT THINK SO". With the game wearing on it was envitable the Portuegese speakers would eventually begin to go in search of an equaliser, and to be honest they had no serious threat at all half until the 90th minute, when the yet again played a long ball, which landed to their strikers feet who balsted it into Eric's body but they had three guys in for the rebound and got it in over the line. Gutted was not the word. To be honest i think we all felt there was no way we were going on to lose this game. And we did just that. Straight from the kick off, Alex played a long ball upto Drainer who was fouled 15 yards insdie their half. Cass lined up the free kick, cross it to the back post about 10 yards out from goal, Darren jumped up and headed it back to the far post, where Iain was their with his preadotar like instincts and slammed the ball into the back of the net. 1-2 Stonewall. It is worth to note a special thanks to Gaku who came on in the last 10 to mix things up on the left, when he replaced aslie and also to Roger Bromley, who any other day would have come on and replaced on of us, but as i am sure he will agree it would have been tough to replace anyone. Thanks to Wallace, Kylie, Nigella and also Andrew for their support. I know we should not get carried a way with a win, but guys we know how good it feels now, lets get more of it. back to top FC Deportiva Galicia (1) 2 - 0 Stonewall FC 11th February 2006 - Premier Division League Game A game we played well in but ultimately a game which we did not play well enough in. Against 10 men for most of the match we should have got a result. The defense was solid enough with Roger and John Cassidy playing well at full back and with Lloyd coming up from the 2nd team to allow us to field a team yesterday, and being the best Stonewall player on the pitch, we had a balanced looking midfield to boot – John E, Darren, and Mike Kearney for his first start in midfield. Santi and Gaku playing together up front for the first time this season. Deportiva are a side we are capable of beating – that is why is billed the game as “winnable” and it was. We started very well. Very well – being strong down our left especially with JC, Kearney and Santi linking up to good effect. We won a series of free kicks from a rather officious referee and Deportiva gave away possession on throw ins by perpetual foul throws. We hit the post – Darren’s header hitting the outside of the post and we had Deportiva on the back foot. We actually linked up well and played the best football we have for a while. Then the referee sent off one of their players out of the blue. Brewing out of a clash with JC the Deportiva player carried on mouthing after he and JC has been booked. Then the ref sent him off. Combined with the start we’d had and now with 10 men to play and about 20-25minutes gone I thought we had a real opportunity but, for some strange reason, we reacted poorly to the sending off and Deportiva got back into the game. They scored as we reorganised following a clash of heads which had Lance leave the pitch with a good goal – a header from a whipped in cross. In truth we had lost the ball far to cheaply up the pitch, JC was caught out of position as a result, and they scored with 3 minutes left of the half. We new it was close. We had to keep it close and use the full 45 minutes of the game that remained to get back into the game. Playing against the wind in the second half we started with every intent of getting our first proper win of the season. Deportiva more than matched our effort and they troubled us down our left with the pace of their lone attacker. I changed it to have Mikey’s pace back in defence and sent Eric up field to search for that all evasive goal. We were blunt in attack in truth but we were building up sustained pressure – with their goalkeeper having to come off his line several times. Deportiva did have attacks – largely shots from outside the area which Ben was alert to – and we won a series of corners. We didn’t have too many clear shots on goal and as the clock ticked away I was thinking about moving to a back three and sending Lance up field to add more height to our attack. Two things then happened. Firstly, Eric got injured – looked like a hamstring and Paul Finney replaced him and Deportiva scored from a free kick at the near post which really should not have been conceded. It ended the game. To be fair the players continued to play for the goal right to the final whistle and we continued to pressure the Deportiva defense but we just did not have that all important cutting edge yesterday. We were playing ten men for 60 of the 90 minutes yesterday and you have to give Deportiva credit for defending their lead well. We still have to play them at Broadfields this season so we will have another opportunity to do ourselves justice. We didn’t in the second half yesterday – and we know that we had a chance. Still, we played some good passing football at times and we can take that into the next game. With a goal to give us confidence we surely will get stronger. So that is the challenge guys…. Team: Ben C, Roger C, Lance W, Eric A, John C, John C, Lloyd M, Darren L, Mike K, Gaku S, Santi R. Sub Paul F. back to top Stonewall 0 - 3 Spelthorne Sports 14th January 2006 - Premier Division This was a good competitive game and we played well. The result flatters the opposition in truth – maybe 1-0 or 2-1 would have been an appropriate result given the amount of possession and chances that each side had. Stonewall started very well. In fact it was our best start for ages. We were competitive. We were solid. We did not look to be threatened and this in a game that was being played at some pace too. Spelthorne are a good side and we matched them and often outplayed them in the first 25 minutes. They like to play the ball inside the full backs for their wingers to chase but Darren and John Cassidy, playing at full back for us, had the measure of them. Lance and Mikey in the middle looked good and the pairing, for the first time this season, of Andy W and Alex in the middle worked for me. It was good to see (and especially hear) the scouse back. The last time we played Spelthorne we had joy on the flanks also – and this gave Gaku and Nigel the opportunity to support Iain and Doug up front. The game, for the first half hour, was a midfield battle. The referee handled the game very well because he allowed play to continue – it being a competitive but not dirty game. When Spelthorne took the lead it came after a particularly sustained period of pressure from us – through Cassidy (having a good game), Nigel and and Iain on our left. The ball really should have been passed out of defence or cleared but it was played straight to a Spelthorne player who went through one on one with Eric and scored. It was typical of our season and painful to gift the lead when we had been playing so well. Having said that we rallied. Gaku worked hard on the right linking with Darren and Doug (in fact it was one of his best games for us). We won several corners and free kicks around the penalty area and I’m pretty sure that one of the chances we had hit a post. We made the keeper work hard (he does have a habit of spilling the ball) but could not equalise – particularly when Spelthorne started to press the play and catch us off-side. From a play down their left Spelthorne, on the stroke of half-time, crossed the ball into the penalty area where two unmarked Spelthorne players were waiting. They scored with a low shot past Eric. From no more than 3 or 4 attempts on goal Spelthorne were 2-0 up. We had a similar amount of chances but did not get close enough or threatened enough. It was difficult for the forwards to retain possession when the ball got to them through the air – often the bigger and taller defenders would clear the ball first. However, I lost count of the number of throw ins and corners we won. There was belief in the dressing room at half time and it felt good to be in a football match – for we were most certainly in the game big time. If Spelthorne had relaxed against us they would have been punished. Alex and Andy bossed the midfield – very little play came through the middle from the opposition and I was conscious that this was Andy’s first game for a while but at half time there was no way he was coming off! We started well in the second half. Doug ran through and had to shoot sooner than he would have liked. As we were now playing up the slope, on a very muddy pitch, I wondered about our fitness. The Spelthorne third goal was a good finish from them catching Eric out of position and it was the key goal for me. If we had scored to make it 2-1 I saw us, getting the confidence to go on and win it, but at 3-0 the game was finished. In similar circumstances this season some players have simply stopped working in our games at this point but no player did. It was a good team performance through the second half. Andy made way for John Edwards and we juggled the midfield. Soon after with 25 minutes remaining Nigel was replaced by Dan Miller on the left. Five minutes later Roger replaced Darren. The scoreline suggests a big gap between the teams. The relative league positions of the teams suggests even a bigger gap. We know different – on yesterdays performance anyway. The bottom line was that they took their chances. They had few but scored with three. We needed more retention of the play in the final third of the pitch, to be caught off side less than we were and to be more effective from our set plays. Oh for a goal! We have three games in quick succession against the teams immediatedly above us. Ealing and Marsh Rangers won on Saturday. They do leak goals however and if we play like we did yesterday we will do well in those games for sure. Team: Eric A, Darren L, Lance W, Mike K, John C, Gaku S, Andy W, Alex B, Nigel C, Iain D, Doug E. Subs. John E, Dan M, Roger C. back to top Walthamstow Avenue & Pennant (4) 5 - 1 (0) Stonewall 7th January 2006 - Premier Division The score in this game, after 20 minutes, was 0 – 0 and Stonewall had created the better of the chances. A good start for us meant that the home team had to take all the pressure as we attacked. Our shots didn't exactly trouble the keeper but we where forcing the Walthamstow defence into rushed clearances and errors and taking the game to them. We had to be on our toes to their attackers too – particularly the loud centre forward and No10 – both quick and mobile and a few spats between Mike Kearney and the No.9 kept the referee busy. When they scored it seemed like a smash and grab. A cross (which we struggled to stop for the entire first half) which the defensive header continued rather than stopped and their No10 slammed it past Eric. Our reaction to the goal wasn't what it needed to be. I recall looking at my watch, with ten minutes to go, thinking we needed to keep it to 1-0 at half-time. Walthamstow scored three more goals in quick succession. Only the last one was a goal which we didn't gift them – the result of a fine piece of quick play and cross into the path of the on running attacker who finished decently. The previous three were the consequence of a disheartened team with little fight in them – and some poor defending. At half time there was no shouting, ranting or raving – what is the point of that? It was merely a question of asking what we all want out of our Saturdays when we get together for ourselves, the team and the club. I was looking for more commitment and players to get tackles made. Paul Finney made a telling comment that we had hardly given away any free kicks – because we weren't challenging enough. Having said that I thought that Lance, more than most, had continued to work and challenge for the ball and Gaku worked hard to chase the ball down up front with Paul Baker (how much would we have liked another hat trick from him on this ground as he did last year). In the second half, as in the first, we started well. We defended better. They scored to make it 5-0 about 10 minutes into the half when we had two clear chances to get rid of the ball. However, we were tighter and more committed. John Edwards made a great covering tackle. Darren chased through with the No9 and cleared for a corner which was good defending and Eric made a series of impressive saves at close range. At the other end Gaku saw an excellent volley saved really well by the Walthamstow keeper and we won a series of corners. Introducing Roger and pushing John E into midfield released Doug from the right wing into an attacking role as Paul B came off. This was followed as Gavin slotted in at right back (with Roger pushing into right midfield and John E coming over onto the left wing). The change worked in two ways. Gavin and Roger worked well together stifled out the attacks and we started to attack down the right. John Edwards scored on the left, after a good attack from Stonewall, with a sweet shot that crashed in from the post. Paul Finney, in a sweet and short- lived cameo role, came on with ten minutes to go and found himself with plenty of room to kick the opposition – playing up front. Walthamstow did not take their foot off the pedal – Eric's saves and a much better defensive performance in the second half is testament to that. The final score was 5-1. The second half was much better – we had more fight, more legs and more willingness to work for one another – and not too surprisingly we were the better for it. We are half way through the season. Played 16. Lost 16. It is not a statistic that anyone in the team is proud or pleased with and I certainly did not believe that is where we would be when we finished last season with the series of improved performances that we put together. We have played teams much better than us this year and we have played teams we are on a par with. Yesterday Walthamstow were not 5-1 better than us. The second half proved that. Thank you to all the players who have played for me in the first team this season. Those that stuck by me from the "old" first team and formed the backbone off the team, those of you that have come through the seconds and have known success with me previously, the new players like Alex and Gaku, and particularly those of who have had the balls to come and play from the seconds and claim places in the team. Team: Eric A, John E, Darren L, Mike K, John C, Doug E, Alex B, Lance W, Dan M, Gaku S, Paul B. Subs: Roger C, Gavin G, Paul F back to top Stonewall 0 - 11 Bethnall Green United 17th December 2005 - Premier Division To say that this was and is a hard result to take rather misses the point. The truth is we had little pride or fight against a far superior team. We were poor. Our next game is against a team currently two places above us – Walthamstow. For a number of people, including me, it is a crucial game. Team: Scott C, Roger C, Rowland C, Mike K, John C, Nigel C, Alex B, Darren L, Dan M, Doug E, Gaku S. Subs: Santi R, Paul B Neasden Foundation 4 - 1 Stonewall 10th December 2005 - Premier Division A performance that was better than the final score suggests and a rough break that, given our season to date, came along and really took the wind from our sails when we conceded an own goal taking the score to 0-2. A slow start (yet again) saw top of the league Neasden (how come they are top of the league) play plenty of attacking football down our flanks -particlarly their left / our right with fast wing play. The game was phyiscal and the referee, without linesmen (again!), did well early on to keep the game under control. We had a decent team out and Lance, playing in the centre of a midfield 5 (4:5:1), saw a lot of early action. The back five was unchanged (how often have I been able to say that this season) with Darren and Mikey playing centre with Roger and JC right and left back respectively. It had been a tough call who to leave out this week but Dan Miller, Alex and Nigel deserved their start - having done very well in the previous game - so it left John Edwards (back after injury) and Gaku to join me on the bench. This allowed me to play Iain who played in midfield with Doug starting up front once again. We were under the cosh at times - they were quick and it was their principle weapon - but when we closed them down quickly we forced errors from their players. They scored a good goal to take the lead. A fast attack down their left which we failed to break down or stop and a cross which was met by an attacking run and first time finish which Eric had little chance with. Neasden hadn't given us the run around. We were competing well with them. I switched the team to counter the speed they had on left which resulted in Nigel moving to right back, Roger to left back and Cass left midfield. I subsequently switched Doug to right midfield and placed Iain up front so that we held the ball more. Fortunately, the changes worked. JC linked well with Iain. Nigel and Doug's speed nullified the left wing attack. We recovered from the goal well and scored. However, the referee gave a free kick for an illegal tackle on the keeper. We began to exploit the weakness, on the ground, of the tall Neasden defenders. It remained 0-1 at half-time. We started the second half very well. They had in fact gone to a back three to bolster their midfield but it worked better for us - and allowed us to exploit the space as we attacked - and we did attack .We created several chances. We should have scored - how we didn't I do not know but a goal mouth scramble which lasted an eternity with Dan and JC bith getting in shots which were blocked failed to generate an equaliser. It got worse. From the resulting goal kick Neasden attacked promptly and firing in a cross fast and early. Lance, having a good game, got to the ball and headed a clearance only to see it fly past Eric into the goal. It was painful. Not as painful as last week (when the opposition scored 3mins from time) because we had a whole half to recover but we just did not deserve it. Neasden could not believe their luck 0-2. The referee who had done okay in the first half started to lose it, He was reliant of linesmen from the teams but chose to ignore them at times. He started to make odd decisions. Players got frustrated and booked (though in truth Mikey could not have complained about his booking). John Edwards replaced Dan Miller on the hour and Gaku swopped on for Roger soon thereafter. JC returned to left back. Neasden scored their third and we were gifted a penalty from a dive Greg Louganis would have proud of - 6.9, 6.9 6.9 Mr Drain. However, Iain had battled well up front and led the line effectively. As I said last week I reckon we still have some in the bank considering our luck this season. Drainer scored. We had been putting pressure on them and the game was on. ALex and Lance continued to work very hard in midfield on a heavy, boggy, pitch and a word has to be said here about Nigel who defended very well. Eric made a couple of good saves and their keeper pulled of an excellent save from a shot from outside the area. The game felt closer than the 3-1 scoreline. In the last ten minutes we started to struggle - was it our fitness? - was it the changes that Neasden made? What was the case was that players stopped showing and the midfield began to leak. Neasden did have better fitness than we. I won't mention the strop I had with the referee over one of his off-side decisions (only to say that I refused to line anymore and Dan Miller took over). Neasden scored their 4th goal with about eight minutes to go. It was disappointing to have conceded again - but it was at a time when we were least effective and least cohesive on the pitch. Final score 4-1. Neasden are top of the league. The scoreline flattered them. Had we not scored the own goal who knows what would have happened - it sapped our energy for a while. What I do know is that the team, apart from the last few minutes, worked tirelessly and particularly down the left we played some very good attacking first time football - Iain, JC, Gaku particularly. Our next game is at Bethnal Green - we owe them. I remember their arrogance. I remember our performance. We owe them. Team: Eric A, Roger C, Darren M, Mike K, John C, Dan M, Alex B, Lance W, Iain D, Nigel C, Doug E: Subs: John E, Gaku S back to top Stonewall 1 - 2 Mauritius Sports 3rd December 2005 - Premier Division Gutted! It is the only word. Absolutely Gutted! 3 minutes of normal time remaining and they score to win the game and steal a result. Still we had the opportunity to win this game; we should have won it. I guess if it had not been for the birthday celebrations at the 2 Brewers on Saturday night, and seeing you lot all mighty pissed and having a great time, I might have ended up crying all Saturday night! The only consolation about the entire weekend was that Chico went out of the X-Factor ! We played very well – especially in the first half – and showed a determination and team spirit which I thought faultless. I can’t tell you how pleasing that is to write. Everyone was up (!!) for the photo shoot before the game (look out for the 12 Days of Xmas feature in QX and more specifically 11 [naked] Footballers Footballing), the new kit was all present and correct and we firmly took the game to Mauritius. It was a decent shot which took them into the lead but a fit Eric would have saved it I reckon. He should have been closed down more too I think. The back four (Roger C, Darren L, Mike K and John C) did really well. The midfield in front of them (Dan M, Alex B, Lance W and Gaku S) proved effective as time and time we played balls to Doug and Nigel up front to run on to. Through our right and left flanks particularly we caused them trouble. The goal from Mauritius was definitely against the run of play and we pressed them hard. So much so that they conceded a penalty. In truth it was a dubious decision but how many have we had – I still reckon we have three in the bank to come. Anyway, the penalty and opportunity to equalise the scores was missed. We pressed on. From a corner the ball whizzed passed the opposition keeper (mouth or what?) and another opportunity to get level evaded us. Paul Baker (what a star!) had to replace Eric as his shoulder injury meant he was pretty much immobile and at half time there was a lot of positive attitude and belief in the team. Alex and Lance worked together well. Dan Miller was solid. Doug and Nigel’s speed worried the opposition’s defence. Mike K had been booked for a crunching two footed tackle. Gaku and JC linked up neatly on the left. We were well up for it. Cue best start to second half we have made for ages. Despite playing up hill we took the game to Mauritius. John Cassidy (yep! Read that again) scored into an empty net after good work from Dan Miller to draw the keeper and pass the ball wide for JC to shoot into goal. It was nothing more than we deserved. Mauritius rallied and put together a really neat series of passing moves through midfield. They kinda came unstuck around our penalty area. Having said that they did continue to press. Paul had to make a couple of saves and at one point my heart was in my mouth as he chose to use his feet rather than his hands. Still he saved them. The referee was well in control and needed to be – it was a physical game – ask Darren as he took a very late challenge which did more than clip his ankles (still he was bopping on the dance floor later so he should be fit for Saturday!). Occasionally, Mauritius applied pressure which more often than not resulted in a corner. We won a series of free kicks. Doug went through one on one and forced a good low save from the keeper on the penalty spot. Emilio, on for Nigel, launched a hard low driven shot outside the area which again the keeper saved (though it wouldn’t have counted as we were ruled offside). The last ten minutes saw a period of Mauritius pressure as we seemed to play deeper. A series of corners followed. 3 minutes of normal time remaining from the corner and they scored – it was a poor goal to concede and desperate timing to boot. There was barely time to reply. Lance went up front in an attempt to route one an equaliser. The couple of minutes of injury time minutes expired and we were left with nothing out of the game except a gobby opposition keeper, a couple of bookings and a Gywneth performance from yours truly in the dressing room. I can not deny that we have the makings of a team however. That much, from yesterday, was obvious. To players, supporters and of course our sponsors “Gay.com” (who were there also for the first time yesterday), I say thank you. Look out for the pictures in the week from Saturday, Saturday night and Sunday…. You should have seen and heard Mike Kearney singing “Tainted Love” Team: Eric A, Roger C, Darren L, Mike K, John C, Dan M, Alex B, Lance W, Gaku S, Doug E, Nigel C. Subs: Paul B, Emilio V back to top Stonewall 1 - 5 Bedfont Sports 26th November 2005 - Premier Division Having circumnavigated the M25 and M4 to get to Bedfont’s ground, and being welcomed by a rain shower that shrunk Cassidy’s appendage to half the Scottish average (so he tells us), we played a game where until a minute before half-time we matched our hosts, lost the plot for 15 minutes after a penalty had been given against us during when we conceded three goals in 10 minutes, and recovered some semblance of respectability by getting a grip and scoring a deserved goal. Bedfont are not a special side – we have played much better teams than they. They are pretty ordinary up front and solid through the rest of the team. They had a tricky No. 11 ( who gave John Edwards and Nigel a run for their money) and they brought on, as their first substitute, a very good winger who contributed to Bedfonts second half goals. At the back they were safe and solid. They played a direct ball, often over the top, which we got the measure of quite quickly. With the back four pushing up and Eric coming off his line when he needed to we defended okay in the first half. We did concede a series of corners and we did allow too many shots from the edge of the area but we worked well and, as a unit, defended quite well. Eric made one outstanding save to one of the Bedfont attacks and did well to tip over another shot over the crossbar which came at him at speed. Up front in the first half we had few chances if the truth be told, Paul B put in a great deal of effort chasing down play (and came close from a corner early doors) and I thought as the half went on we stood to take advantage of Doug’s speed. Bedfont scored from a corner, on the 44th minute, when we didn’t challenge the player. This is the first goal we have conceded from a set play for some time and it was disappointing in its timing and nature – it would have been good to go in at half time 0-0. As it was it was 1-0 to the home side. The second half started pretty much as the first. Bedfont playing down their right and Stonewall attacking a good deal through our left. Bedfont’s second goal was a penalty. The referee awarded it when he was some distance from the play. The linesman didn’t. Kearney disputed it. Eric thought it was inside the area. What was fact was that Santi tracked back with a player and tackled him rather than the ball when he challenged the player. The penalty was not a good one but it slipped under Eric’s body and we were 2-0 down. Our reaction the penalty was poor. We let Bedfont attack us and our shape, structure and discipline went. It was as though the belief in the team just evaporated – it was disappointing to be in this position having done so well in the first half – and I felt for the players. Bedfont scored three times in a 15 minutes spell. I replaced Santi with Gaku (who had arrived late) after the second goal and we found ourselves at 5-0 down with 25 minutes to go. I was fearful of what the final score would be. Despite the scoreline I was thinking that the back four was playing okay – John E and John C particularly. Bedfont made a couple of substitutions which may have upset their pattern of play. I only had one sub so couldn’t make any more changes. We scored through Nigel C five minutes from time (I had switched him and Doug) and Doug put through a good pass which Nigel despatched first time. Doug had a great chance himself moments later when he forced a good save from the keeper. The final score at 5-1 couldn’t have been predicted after the first half. We have to be stronger and more resolute if we concede. It is easy for me to write I know – especially with the record we have – but the effect was there to see when we regained our structure. I can see some positive signs with new players and existing players playing out of position. The spirit on the pitch was good – yes we were too quiet – but there wasn’t a player popping at another. back to top StonewalI 0 - 2 Willesden Constantine 19th November 2005 - Premier Division On a perfect day for playing football, and with the Broadfield pitch looking in reasonably gook nick for once, we entertained Willesden for the first time this season. It was a good game of football and, by far, one of our better performances this season. A goal completely against the run of play in the first half, two pleasing debut performances, a change of keeper which worked for us and a keeper who worked well for the opposition is the story of the game. We played more fluently than we have for ages and our work rate was better too. Compared to the performance we gave last week, when we were beaten 6-1 in the Prem Cup competition, this was much better. The one thing that was not good enough was our set play and shooting from outside the box. With Roger (I'm really only 33 you know) Cray and Alex (I'm taller than Daryn Vanstone you know) making their first full appearance for the team the side had a new look to it. JC was watching the ol firm clash so their was a shift about at the back. I wanted to keep Lance and Mikey together at the back so John Edwards slotted in at left back and Roger started at right back. Gaku, Drainer, Alex and Santi made up the midfield with Doug, getting a rare start up front, supported by new signing Erica Von Cantana - who look vaguely similar to our regular goal keeper but nothing like Ben Courtney who was between the posts on this occasion.It is fair to say that Willesden started well - they had a series of shots, most from outside the area, early doors and liked to play the long ball. Once Lance and Mikey brought the line up the field,the long ball was less effective. Iain and Alex did well through the middle - snuffing out most of the opposition's play there. It was down the Willesden left that a good deal of their play came so Gaku and Roger had it busy for the first 30. We gradually started to get the ball down and play. It came down our right and I recall one move linking Roger, Gaku, Drainer and Doug that resulted in a shot on goal but came from a series of fiine first time passes that cut through the opposition. We were taking the game to the opposition and winning our fair share of headers, through Eric, which made the respective league position of the two teams look rather false. However, they scored and really took the wind out of our sails. It was a good finish but the player should have been tackled before he got his shot in. We responded well, again in contrast to last week, but the score stayed at 1-0 at the break. The dressing room was positive at half-tme. The team believed they had been the better side and that we would score. Drainer had come very close putting Doug through with a couple of ballsbut the Willesden keeper came off his line really quickly to snuff out the chances. In fact his handling was good all game. So was Bens. I must also point out a great challenge from Alex to stop a shot inside the penalty area in the first half which sort of typified the team work going on there. Soon after the break Dan Miller replaced an out of sorts Santi on the left and we continued to play well. Gaku found himself in acres of space as the game progressed and he and Doug linked up wth Roger well. Mike Kearney and Lance are developing a good partnership in the middle of the defence and Mikey made a couple of bone-crunching tackles against his man (who was later substituted). Willesden's second goal was another shot from outside the area - and Ben could do little about it - it was a good finish. I felt that we had a chance to clear the ball earlier but it was a good goal from the oppositions view and it had not come from one of our players making a mistake (again in contrast to last week). Emilio came on to replace Eric who had worked very hard and proved to be a very positive influence on the pitch. We went to a back three and pushed three up front with [injured] nigel replacing John Ewards. We had a number of shots on goal but they ended up in the goal keepers hands having been hit straight at him. Ben made a fantastic grabbed save, coming quickly off his line, and diving at the feet of the opposition's striker. The ref, who had been in control throughout the game (again we couldn't say that last week either), blew for time. Although we had failed to score we knew that we had played better. The back five did really well yesterday. Drainer, as captain, got it right. Doug had his best game for ages - some excellent closing down too. Gaku had the opportunity to demonstrate the skills he has. Roger and Alex had the best debuts I can remember and the Eric switch worked. We did lose however but compared to last week we, once again, looked like a team. Bedfont Sports who we play next week are below Willesden in the league. Next week we should win. I want a full team to choose from. back to top Stonewall 1 - 4 London Tigers 8th October 2005 - Premier Division Arriving at the ground and seeing that the first and second team were at home again for the second time this season – and that each team had a full complement of players – meant the omens seemed good to me. Events in the dressing room rather shook the preparations but I do know that as the 1st team left the pitch to play we were even more determined to do well. London Tigers had embarrassed us earlier in the season – the only time we can really say we were thrashed – and we needed to put the record straight. A switch in formation and personnel saw Neil start at the back alongside Darren, Mike K and Nigel C – we knew the Tigers team to be quick up front, especially down the flanks, with a Macy Gray forward through which a lot of their play is directed through. To this end I wanted pace in defence. I also thought that Lance in midfield would allow us to win more ball in the air in an area of the pitch where we needed more 1st and 2nd ball wins. After 30 minutes I believed us to have made the best start of the season – even better than when we went 1-0 up against Wraysbury. We were competitive, tight and had nullified the opposition to the extent that they were shooting from long distance outside the box. We had the best two chances – one when Iain drilled a cross over which Doug just couldn’t get on the end of. Lance and Marc won good ball. We won more corners than in our last two games put together and Nigel’s selection at right back was proving to be the right one. It was therefore very hard to take when we conceded – particularly because the defenders believed there was an offside and played for it whilst the linesman didn’t raise the flag and the attacker ran on to score a simple goal. It didn’t help that it was I running the line! Whatever the rights and wrongs of the actual decision (and we all have our minds made up about it) we shouldn’t have stopped playing. It really unnerved the team and, of course, all the confidence that had been building up during the 1st half started to quickly evaporate. We had still not recovered our composure when a virtual carbon copy of the goal (minus the contentious offside) occurred. Gutted. Absolutely Gutted. Eric had not been required to make a save, maybe the occasional sweeping or taking a back pass, but had picked the ball out of the net twice. 0-2 at half time. I found it hard at half time to speak. We had played so much better than when we played Tigers earlier in the season – remember how they cut through us time and time again. I felt that, as Neil said at half time, that we had more in us to give but realised, that as a team not scoring goals at present, that we had a mountain to climb. We went to a 4:4:2 – sacrificing the extra midfield player by pushing Doug up front leaving Gaku, Marc, Lance and Koji in midfield. Santi and Emilio waited patiently to get onto the pitch and we started the second half playing up the slope and against the wind. The score remained 2-0 for quite a while and the pattern of play returned to that of the first half. Tigers put more play down their right hand side and Mikey and Koji had a job to do on their No. 11 winger. However, with their best move of the game Tigers increased their lead after 15 minutes with a header which rocketed past Eric – the player was unmarked and had time to pick his spot. It was a well taken goal. We had been making forays into the Tigers half but not threatening too much. We did start to pick up play on our right but our play seemed static compared to fluid nature of the opposition’s attacks. That is what confidence (or the lack of it) does for you. Having said that when we scored it was a good goal. Following a cross, from Koji on the left, Iain headed past the Tiger’s keeper. It seemed odd and easy and it lifted our game. With 20 minutes to go we took more of the game to Tigers. This of course stretched the play – and Macy Gray and No11 continued to work the Stonewall defence. Iain had a great chance, following good work from Marc, Gaku and Doug to score again but the ball flew over the bar. 3-2 would have been an interesting position with 15 or so minutes to go. It was not to be. Tigers scored again. By this time Santi had replaced Koji and Emilio had come on for an injured Marc Short – who took a rather nasty blast in the “lower stomach” as they sometimes say on TV. The game was played out to full time at 1-4. A word for the referee. Especially after the last two weeks of continual intervention and whistles from Mr Price it was good to have a referee who let the game flow and who made, more often than not, the right decision. It is difficult to know what to write or say when in the position we are. Stonewall 1st XI have played 10 and lost 10. We are firmly rooted at the foot of the Premier Division. However, that is where we are playing and we can still hold our heads up. We went into the game agreeing that the performance needed to be better and the points a secondary issue. I take a number of positives out of yesterdays game – both the formation and players that played. What is more important to me though is that the core of first team players have continued to be available and open to the hallenge that the team faces. Yesterday, from all accounts, the 2nd team had a tough game against a side which was often homophobic. You could say that they made their point as well as winning one. It is great to see the 2nds do well. Equally, the 13 players of the first team championed the values and aims of the football club yesterday – to support the playing of football by gay men at every level and at the highest level. ThePremier Division of Middlesex County League is a challenging standard is it not. Onwards and upwards (for that is the only way to go)Team: Eric A, Nigel C, Darren L, Neil F, Mike K, Doug E, Gaku S, Marc S, Lance W,Koji N, I Drain. Subs: S Reguero, E Villodres back to top Stonewall 0 - 2 Spelthorne Sports 3rd Sept 2005 - Premier Division A hot sunny day in West London. A disappointing defeat – a day when we created many many chances, dominated the second half, got more crosses and shots in than the rest of the season so far, but failed to score. The headline is that we should have got something from this game – Spelthorne are a team that we can and should beat. The news is that we were improved from Wednesday – our defensive play and competitiveness was better (especially the second half) and we played some excellent passing football. Some good points also – Darren has a solid game in a new role anchoring the midfield (and similarly Lloyd playing alongside Lance). Gaku had his best game so far and Eric came through the game despite living in the land of the walking wounded (what are you doing to him Kyle?). However, yet again we conceded an early goal (4 minutes). Spelthorne carved through our left hand side like a hot knife through butter and finished well with a curling shot which was hit hard and low. [This has got to stop]. We had started relatively brightly but hadn’t got into our stride and it took us sometime to recover from the goal. Neil was threatening I the air – winning virtually every ball he went up for and with 4:5:1 formation he had to. Our formation helped us close down the opposition who like to pass it through midfield. We survived a bout of pressure after the goal when Spelthorne won a succession of corners – they must have had 5 or 6. We defended them acceptably bar one when the Spelthorne captain (blonde haired midfield player) stormed through with a bullet header which soared just over the cross-bar. He needs to be watched next game. As does Smith who Lance did a job on. Iain was more involved in the game than on Wednesday and had hit Neil several times – once getting the ball behind Spelthorne with a graceful outside of the right foot drilled pass which split the defence. Lance and Lloyd had marshalled the Spelthorne attack well and the Stonewall full backs (Mikey and JC) were seeing more of the ball in attack. Having said that, on hot day, Nigel on our left had been working hard to breakdown the Spelthorne attacks (I swopped Marc and Nigel later), we were conceding too many corners and the midfield had a job to curtail Spelthorne going forward. But we recovered from the goal and had started to play. At half time it was still 0-1 so we knew we were still in the game and despite gifting Spelthorne a goal immediately after the restart (where we once again cleared the ball onto a attacker and the resulting ricochet going in our goal) it was our second half. We created good chances and several excellent ones. We didn’t finish. Spelthorne had a couple of chances but were on the back foot for most of the 45. I recall a particularly good stop from Eric – tipping the ball over his cross-bar. Doug replaced Nigel. We went to 4:4:2 with 30 minutes to go. We went 3:4:3 with 15 to go. Spelthorne threw on a couple of defenders. There is little point highlighting the misses except to point out 2 key things. Firstly, the creative play that led to them – we played some good first time stuff. Really good. I recall a move which Marc started through a key challenge, a Gaku flick with the back of his boot and a through ball from Iain into their penalty area for one of the moves. Really good play. We can play. We did play. On the ground and we kept possession well. Secondly, no one wants to miss chances. Just like no one wants to make defensive mistakes. They are equally costly and our attitude to them should be the same. We have to work at that which we are not getting right. Iain himself said it in the dressing room after the game – we need to work on this in training. So we will. Set piece defending especially corners and shooting. One other point of note. Neil was pulled back when through 1 on 1 with the keeper. The referee gave us the free-kick but didn’t even book the player let alone send him off. It was not the right decision. Now we don’t want to get players sent off for the wrong reason but we have to know when and how to influence the referee on the pitch. That is Darren’s job. At full time the dressing room contained a group of disappointed players. Having put the pressure on we didn’t convert. Rightly there were no wild recriminations – there is really no need for that. On a shout of “C’mon England!” there were a number of “C’Mon Wales” shouts. Not that we want to celebrate losing in such circumstances but this is only the beginning of our season and we need to stick together. We earned some luck yesterday. If it comes the team’s way next week when I am away frightening the local Greeks on Skiathos no one more than me will be pleased. C’Mon Stonewall I say. Dig In. Yesterday was better. Team: Eric A, Mike K, Lloyd M, Lance W, John C, Marc S, Gaku S, Darren L, Iain D, Nigel C, Neil F: Subs Doug E, Emilio V back to top Stonewall 1 - 2 CB Hounslow 27th August 2005 - Premier Divison A surprisingly hot day at Broadfields and a soccer festival of some description being played so we moved to a different pitch. Not having to “cope with the slope” we hoped to benefit from the switch and play better than last week. We did and despite all the pressure being applied by Stonewall in the last 15 minutes of the game we left the pitch with no points. Having said that we know we played well in the second half, we know we made Hounslow work for their victory, we know that we made them look ordinary on the day. We know also that we have to get some points under our belts. The game flew past but the pattern of play, from Hounslow, remained constant. They love to play the ball across their back four or midfield and hit the channel ball for their fast flanking players to seize onto. They had a strong left winger who kept John Edwards on his toes all game. They also went route one, from long kicks from their keeper, which (until we got the measure of them) sailed over the back four’s heads too many (5) times. Having said that the defence played very well yesterday. Lance and Darren looking particularly strong. We started the game playing a 4:5:1 and this allowed us to be more competitive in midfield. But as ever with this formation retention of the ball up front is very difficult and it proved to be for us. However, Emilio starting his first game for the 1st team as our solitary attacker, found himself through one on one with the keeper when it was 0 -0 but the ball went painfully left of the post. Neil, due to injury (Eric) and non-availability (Ben), played in goal. He kept solidly all game and made one outstanding save toward the close of the first half. He also made a crucial tackle coming off his line to rob the Hounslow attacker of a scoring chance. The midfield, compromising of Doug, Gaku (making his first start of the season too), Marc, Iain and Nigel started quite well with my principle observation at half time being about challenges for headers. We needed to do more. I switched Nigel over the right, Emilio to the left and Doug up front about half way through the first half. Part defensive, part attacking move and although Hounslow weren’t threatened too much by us I was comfortable at half-time about the shape of the team. Gaku had settled in well and was linking up well. Nigel made two or three telling interventions with his head. Iain and JC had threatened down the left on a couple of occasions. Having said that Hounslow continued to pass through us. Often with the channel ball and other times the direct route. There was one occasion when a Hounslow beat 3 Stonewall players without a tackle being made – nearly making us pay. Hounslow scored first. Given a too much time just outside the penalty area one of their players latched on to the ball and curled a low first time show past Neil. It was a well taken goal – opportunistic you might say – but had we been nearer the player we might have blocked it or made the tackle. The second half was similar to the first except that we started to head the ball more. We did appear to be a team lacking in belief at times but I still thought we looked better balanced. There were promising signs of play as we linked better – some good first time passes – so when Hounslow scored for the second time (in similar circumstances) it hit us bad. However, we knew we were playing better and there was resolution in the team. Whether Hounslow sat back, whether the change we made (Danny Miller for Emilio) worked or whether we just started to find that belief I’m not sure. It was definitely the case that after the second goal was conceded we responded positively and played our best football. Danny, JC and Iain linked well – winning a series of free kicks on the left. Doug was giving the run around to the Hounslow defence and staying onside (where he was falling foul of the linesman’s flag in the first half), Marc was holding the fort in front of the back four as he had been asked to and Gaku started to hit his long passes – one such ball, from the half way line, split the Hounslow defence and found Doug perfectly. The resulting low shot, at the keepers right hand post, forced a good save. We started to influence the game more. Aslie replaced John E and we went to 4:4:2. Our goal when it came was in fortunate circumstances but deserved. We had been closing down the Hounslow defenders (especially Iain and Doug) and Doug forced an error from the keeper who had come out of his area to receive a pass. He lost control of the ball and Doug calmly, from outside the area, opened his account for the season. 1:2 with 10 minutes (plus injury time) to go. 3:4:3 (Danny M moving up front). No sooner had we sent Danny M up front that he found himself I the penalty area with the ball at his feet. He had several Hounslow defenders surrounding him and just couldn’t get the ball away. We had several corners. Three very late in the game with Neil coming up for the last one in the hope of securing a point. We knocked the ball about confidently and through Nigel and Gaku created a couple of chances on the right too. (though more of the play had been down our left). Had we 5 more minutes a goal would probably have come. Once we scored our confidence and belief flooded back and we had Hounslow on the rack – they put everyone behind the ball. But it was not to be. 1-2 the final score. We knew we had played okay. We had definitely responded to losing a goal much better than last week and that is encouraging. We all know that we need to get points on the board. This Wednesday is a great opportunity for us. London Tigers away. They are struggling and leaking goals. Be up for it on Wednesday lads. Be up for it!! Team: Neil F, John E, Darren L, Lance W, John C, Doug E, Gaku S, Marc S, Iain D, Nigel C, Emilio V. Subs: Danny M, Aslie P back to top 1st XI 0 - 2 Marsh Rangers 20th August 2005 - Premier Division A dissapointing result on a day when, despite a rally in the second half, we did not play football as well as we had last week – and against much stronger opponents at that. It didn’t seem as though that would be the story of the game when, in the second minute, Doug was put through on goal on the right and launched a threatening shot at the Marsh Ranger goal. It was to be the only goal mouth action for some twenty minutes for Stonewall’s attackers as Marsh Rangers through their stocky big central midfielders began to dominate. They were very strong in the air and it proved a challenge for Lloyd and Marc in central midfield to keep them checked. Having said that we continued to play the long ball, looking for Neil and Iain, and often found it being cut out. Marsh Rangers were hungry and physical and were winning first and second ball too often. This team remember we beat 3-2 at the end of season – with them scoring two late goals at that – they definitely looked stronger and played better then last season but they had a very weak No4 (Harry Thomas) at the back and they are not a footballing side. Still Marsh Rangers scored first. An attack built through the centre of the field resulted in Ben Courtney, playing his first game of the season, leaving his penalty area to intercept the through ball. The right decision to head the ball was made as an attacker bore down on him with the resulting header landing at the feet of a Marsh Ranger midfielder who coolly volleyed 25 yards into the empty goal. 0-1 after 7 minutes. We were two nil down before half time when we failed to clear with another header with the Marsh Rangers player thereafter slotting a decent shot past Ben. This was ironic because actually we had been clearing our ground effectively – I recall four or five solid clearances from John Edwards as the ball launched into the penalty area. The defence, with Darren and Lance at the centre and Mikey K back at left back/John E at right back pushed up and started to catch Marsh Rangers offside more. This was a sensible move but made playing out from the back more of a challenge – which is what we wanted to do in order to by-pass the central midfield area. We played through to halftime with not too much pressure being put on the opposition’s goal, At half time some opinion was exchanged about commitment and we talked about playing the ball wider and on the deck. I wanted us to be winning more 50:50s. 0-2 at halftime. That is the way it stayed. We did get the ball in the net with another good, but disallowed finish, from Neil – a good counter attacking move it was too. Ian was on target (but at the keeper) from a free kick and, in the last twenty minutes of the half, we started to string some passes together. Gaku and Nigel had replaced John Casssidy and Marc Short respectively. Emilio coming on for Mike K as we went to a back three in the final quarter hour of the game. Gaku and Iain linked effectively on one or two occasions and Neil continued to work hard – coming back for corners and defending with his heading. Doug, who had a quiet game by his standards, worked up and down the right flank for most of the game until we switched the play and gave him a spell up front. Our defending became a little more erratic in the final stages of the game (we were now playing as a three) but we kept the ball out – despite a couple of dodgy moments in front of goal and on corners - and, as I said earlier , we got better creatively. Marginally better. We were disappointing. Particularly compared to the start we made against much better opposition last week. Our thinking and speed at throw-ins was better – keep this up. Gaku did well when he came on. Nigel helped tighten midfield too. But we often looked to pass the long (and more difficult) ball when a simple pass would have been the better choice and we wasted the few set piece plays we had. The only way is up guys. We have a tough game next week and we will rise the challenge I am sure – we always do against the better teams. Please confirm availabilities promptly and remember there is no training on Thursday – so get to the gym, go running, and prepare well on Friday night! See ya Saturday. Team: Ben C, John E, Darren L, Lance W, Mike K, Doug E, Marc S, Lloyd M, John C, Neil F, Iain D. Subs: Nigel C, Gaku S, Emilio V back to top Stonewall 1 - 2 Bethnal Green Utd 13th August 2005 - Premier Division On a grey Broadfields day when the rain drizzled more than Dolly Wideberth in a company of Brazilians the new season commenced. It wasn’t until I read last season’s match reports that I realised who Bethnal were. They were the team that spanked us hard last season – giving me my worst ever result as a manager – so I knew we were in for a game. I also knew, based on our end of season form and the attitude that you have all been showing in training, that they would not beat us 8-1 ever again. With a slippy surface to play on the dressing room banter was less of the “is it Diesel or Cherokee darhlink?” and more of studs or mouldings. I, of course, have always preferred studs and it proved to be a good call as a number of players had to change through the game. We started very well. We were the better team 60:40 in the first half. We created more chances than they – definitely – and I reckoned that we should have been a goal to the good at half time. Having said that Eric had made a number of timely interceptions – coming off his line quickly – but doing the right thing when he stayed on it. Actually, Eric had a very good game – making several saves with his legs – and his handling, in difficult conditions for a goalkeeper, was sound. He proved to be the Stonewall Man of the Match. Nigel and Neil had good chances early on and I thought we had a certain solid feel about us. Lloyd and Koji were doing a good job in midfield whilst John Edwards, Darren, Lance and JC held the line well. From our first corner Doug drilled in a cross to the near post and Koji almost converted (to a goal my dears not to the dark side!!). My observations about the half are specifically:- Not enough discipline when defending throw-ins (get switched on and mark up quickly) Not enough options when attacking throw-ins. We should have closed down their No4 (Omar Faruque) who liked to play the ball and had too much time on occasion and liked to shoot from a distance. We created several chances and should have converted at least one of them – we had the pressure guys and where the better team but did not make it tell. At half time it was 0-0 and I was happy with the start but disappointed not to be in front. In the first half Doug and Nigel on the flanks had proved useful – defending well when they needed to and Iain had worked hard to chase and run on to the through balls down the left. I wanted more of the same and (unfortunately) didn’t get it. Sometimes as a manager when you see an entirely different pattern of play unfold in front of you it is difficult to understand how to make the correct intervention. What is clear is that we were second to the ball too often in the first 15 of the second half. What I also know to be the case (I have my sources) is that all hell kicked off in Bethnal’s dressing room at half time. We had not anticipated this – and although I suspected that they would be resting on their laurels after the ease with which they beat us last season I didn’t see the change at half time coming as it did. Bethnal were better. They competed more and won ball as a result. They pressurised and forced us to concede possession time after time and, with due respect to the Stonewall players, raised their game. They scored 7 minutes into the half. We had the chance to clear the ball – we really did and should have – but it crossed the face of goal and met a Bethnal player who, on the right hand side of Eric’s goal, slotted in a neat finish. We should have rallied but did not – in fact we entered the period of the game when we were least effective – and conceded again after a further ten minutes. This was an error – a defensive error – when responsibility wasn’t taken when it should have been. Hey Ho. Get on with it. You can’t legislate for errors or mistakes – they are pretty unavoidable and difficult to control – which is why, more often than not they need to remain anonymous in the hope that the person responsible takes some learnings and doesn’t repeat it again. [well that’s my philosophy anyway]. However, what I won’t tolerate in tortoise behaviour – receding into the shell. We did this after the first goal and again the second. I want noise and I want passion and anger when we concede not stunned silence – it is just encouragement to the opposition. This is EVERYONE’S responsibility so sort it guys in the season to come. This we can control and should do. My observations about the second half:- Be as loud as one of Cassidy’s stripy shirts when we concede – this is a team responsibility to mobilise and respond Look to retain possession and play football when the going gets really tough – we continually gave the ball away and back to the opposition and although they didn’t do much with the ball we made it a little too easy for them. This is the point of one-touch/two touch football training – make it count. Gako had come on to replace Spain bound Doug in the second half and it was great to welcome back Marc Short who had injured his ankle in the said 8-1 defeat against Bethnal last season. Aslie replaced JC with 13 minutes to go as we went to a back three in order to press on. The conditions in the second half where no better than the first and we were now playing up the hill. After our dodgy spell - after the second goal we started to get back into the game. Iain and Neil had a couple of fine chances. In fact they combined excellently with a subtle glanced header coming off Neil from an Iain cross into the net for us to see it disallowed for (a very close) off-side. Eric continued to make saves when called upon and we took the last ten minutes of the game to the opposition. We scored in injury time which was reward for our efforts (especially in the first half) resulting in a scoreline which was just about, on the day, a fair result. Bethnal played well in the second half - they raised their game. We made them. We need to do the same. An organised and well prepared start to the season. A welcome return for Marc with Rowland and Mikey due back soon. John Edwards and Gako playing at the start of the season with promise of more to come. We have a big game against Marsh Rangers next week. Is it possible to have a six-pointer so early in the season. You bet it is!! Team : Eric A, John E, Darren L, Lance W, John C, Doug E, Lloyd M, Koji N, Nigel C, Iain D, Neil F. Subs Gako S, Marc S, Aslie P Match Reports - Team 2 back to top Brunel University Res 5 - 1 Stonewall Reserves 4th March 2006 - Junior Reserve Division League Game "Not deserved" summarises how we felt on Saturday. We created more chances than the opposition, we match them physically and they didn't really create any danger. Still they managed to score 5 times. We started with a strong team but no keeper. Craig acceoted to go in goals for the first half and Bill went in for the second half. Well done guys, thank you for your commitment. I decided to start with 10 men (it's not a new French tactic for the World Cup, we were just waiting for Oscar) and surprisingly it paid off. We were solid in the first 5 minutes, got a free kick in their half. great delivery from Danny and George scored with a header from the penalty spot yes you read well, a header! 9th goal for the season - I'm hearing Golden Stilleto on its way! Oscar joined the fun and we were holding a keeping pressure on their defense. And then it started to go wrong. about 15 minutes before half-tme, a deflected shot did not leave a chance to Craig 1-1. one minute later, Oscar made a mistake and missed his first touch in our penalty area, handling the ball to their striker who made no mistake 1-2. A third goal was conceeded before half-time form a miss cued shot from 10 yards. half-time 1-3 (very harsh) Peter Nedd came in for Danny. Louie was seeing more of the ball, Lloyd and myself were both controlling their midfields and were releasing great balls for both John and George but we didn't score. I remember at least 4 or 5 1-on-1 with the keeper for us but nothing was going in! We must score more, we must finish our chances. and then, the score line changed against the play. Peter scored an own goal (John terry's style), Bill didn't stand a chance. with 2 minutes to go, they scored another from a straight corner - gutted! so final score 5-1 to Brunel. However, few things worth mentioning : man of the match (for me) : Leighton for being solid all game, was always at the right place (playing left back and centra defender) - great performance! what we have done well : we stuck together and created some football, it was very enjoyable to play. what we have done not that well : not concentrated enough on some defending actions, not killing the game by finishing all our chances. finally the moment of the match : the award goes to Oscar "Torville and Dean" fantastic triple Salkow when being tackled by one of their striker - well worth the trip. the team ; Craig (then Bill) - Leighton, Oscar, Bill (then Craig), Paul L - Louie (then Liam), Lloyd, Raph, Danny (then Peter) - George, John Stonewall Reserves 0 - 6 (3) Kentish Town Reserves 11th February 2006 - Junior Reserve Division League Game Good turn up this saturday (they had more spectators than we had players) ! Due to various situation, we were down to 9 men this saturday so the afternoon promised to be bleak. The ref was good and very understanding of our position. We started well against a very strong opposition. We created few chances in first half but were 3-0 down at half-time, courtesy of a generous penalty and two soft goals where Scott didn't stand a chance (1-2-1 with their stirkers) 3 of our players were carrying an injury but still battled throughout the whole game. they made numerous changes and we were getting more and more tired. We were making less and less runs forward and were trying to keep the score at 3-0. unfortunately, they scored 3 more times : 1 flucky shot from 25 yards, another penalty and a free-kick which went in within injury time. So not the best performance but what a spirit in the changing room and on the pitch - support, laughs, and another caretaker manager (Liam) who did very well. Well done everybody - you were on the pitch, you know how much we fought not to look ridiculous! Man of the match : Scott for making about 124 saves (and the score line was officially 5-0) Team : Scott - Liam, Bill, Will - Asif, John P, Raph, Leighton - Paul B. - Sub : the invisible man, Les and the humpas Lumpas (who stayed hidden in the woods). C.B Hounslow United 3rds (2) 3 - 0 Stonewall Reserves 4th February 2006 - Junior Reserve Division Cup What a pitch that was on Saturday : massive, flat (yes FLAT), no wind. Excellent for the good football that we have been playing for few weeks. We started with a strong squad against a very good team that already beated us twice, but only by 1 goal the last time. we contained them very well despite the pace of their strikers and their left winger. They created a couple of very good chances but were denied both times by an excellent Scott. They were getting frustated after only 10 minutes and started arguing amongst themselves. Unbelievable. As Lloyd put it, "I wouldn't like playing in that team when they lose!". We were holding on and created few chances with nice crisps passes. However, we were getting more and more exposed on our right flank. we conceeded around the half hour marked. A couple of ricochet in our defence, we couldn't clear the ball quick enough and the ball was at the back of the net. 0-1. Our reaction was great and we created a chance straight from the kick with George getting close to score, creating more and more panic in their defence. Craig was getting very invoved in the middle of the field as Lloyd and I were having to deal with an amazing space in the middle and were a bit lost to be honest. We spent most of the rest of the half in their area, getting corners and free kicks in our favour. However, they managed to put a second goal on a counter attack I think with another good run from the right winger. 0-2 at half-time Bill came in for Will and Craig was replaced by Leighton who pushed up front to link with George and Santi. The 3 of them ran their bol**** off during all the second half and were very unlucky not to score what would have put Hounslow under big pressure. Their linesman made sure that we never got a clear run to the goal (even the ref admitted that he told the linesman that he had been wrong on a couple of occasion). The work rate was great, the defence solid, the midifled ndustrious and so were the strickers, but luck was not on our side and a counter attack within the last minute gave them another goal. 0-3 very severe but they probably deserved their victory. Our spirit was good, we never gave up and we did walk off the pitch with our heads up. We deserved the respect that Housnlow gave us at the end of the game. there was no laughs from their side, they knew that they had to battle hard to beat us. And that was a great feeling especially from a team that I believe to be the best in the league. I haven't named all of you in this report as I think that the team performance was great and couldn't name everybody for their efforts. (to be quite hoest, I was too knackered to remember who did what) Liam had a great game as our linesman. The ref told him that he was the best one that he ever had! Team : Scott, Paul L, Oscar, Aslie, Will, Craig, Lloyd, Raph, Louie, George, Santi. Sub : Bill, Leighton, Liam back to top Stonewall Reserves 2 (1) - Hounslow Wanderers Reserves 2 (0) 28th January 2006 - Junior Reserve Division In the absence of a match report last week and this I thought I'd take a lead and attempt to describe the events on Saturday, Welsh style. It was a beautiful day at broadfields with the sun shining only to be eclipsed by the sexy men surrounding me on the pitch from the Stonewall second team. The manager for the day was Raph following the first team's controversial decision to use Aslie as their substitute. The mood in the dressing was one of confidence at playing a side that had already been beaten late last year. Hounslow gathered in a group hug for their team talk and at the end decided to have a collective grunt thus indicating they were up for it. I was really scared (not). The game kicked off and both teams were solid at the start. Most of the game was being palayed in midfield and Hounslow resorted to balls down the middle which were being overhit and fairly easy to deal with. When they did threaten Scott, Asif, Paul and Bill were more tha up to dealing with it, highlighted by a beautiful sliding tackle made by Bill in the box. Our midfield were far superior and it was only a matter of time before we got on top and showed Hounslow to be the bottoms they really were. We played the passing game and they played the long ball. The first breakthrough came from Loui (excuse the spelling) who had earlier been called a girl by the opposition (what happened to the good old fashioned insults . It was a beautiful pass by Jorge which found Loui in the box who finished in the right hand corner giving their keeper no chance. Latino flair, we have it. Santi and Gorge were proving difficult to handle up front and a few more chances came our way but alas we didn't net. Halftime 1-0. The team talk was given and we went out for the second half with Leighton replacing Bill as centre back due to injury. We made a slow start to the half and ended up conceding early on. The ball was crossed into the box I intercepted only to see the ball go straight to one of their attackers. He drilled the ball low which deflected of Leighton and went past a helpless Scott. How unlucky! They went on to score a second from a penalty. Their tricky left back dribbled into the box only to be brought down by Asif's lycra encrusted legs. Granted the left back was a sexy man (if a little bit on the short side) but next time you want electric lycra fusion with the opposition Asif please leave it outside the penalty area. Anyway Asif had a good game so there were no recriminations and at least Asif put his balls on the line and made the challenge. The penalty was taken, Scott saved it magnificently only to see one of their cheating players run in from the rebound to convert. 2-1 down but there was still plenty of heart left in the side. We went to a back three and played Leighton up front. This was soon to pay dividends as Leighton broke through their defence and found himself one on one with the keeper. He shot, the keeper saved but only parried to Gorge who calmly slotted into their net. Of course one of their players, who was linesmen and a cheat I might add, tried to disallow the goal for offside but thankfully common sense prevailed and the goal was allowed. Final Score 2-2. In summary everbody played well and the team spirit was excellent, afterall we're all fighting for the same cause to make Stonewall a great side in the future. Nobody had a go at anyone else and we all fought for each other out there. Lets carry the same team spirit into the next game and put our own self interest aside for the greater cause, Stonewall Football Club. Team: Scott, Asif, Bill, Roger, Paul, Paul F, Raph, New Guy (Who was solid in midfield), Loui, Gorge, Santi, Sub: Leighton back to top Tillburg regents(1) 1 - 2 (2)Stonewall Reserves 14th January 2006 - Junior Reserve Division After my last match report,I was told to use paragraphs so here goes. We were away this week to tillburg regents,but for me it felt like I was finally playing at home. It wasn't just the fact that Tillburgs ground was five minutes from my front door, it was more the fact that a small group of gay men got together to play football on wandsworth common and formed Stonewall football club. After promising game against cb hounslow the following week,the stonewall boys were determined to stamp their authority on a team they had beaten earlier in the season 4-0. The boys warmed up well already sensing that today was going to be their day. The game plan started well. They took to heart what was said in the team talk and that was play for each other, support each other,have a go at each other when necessary bot most of all enjoy it. The opposition could not get the ball out of their own half and after a few well timed passes george broke away and sloted the ball past the keeper to make it 1-0. I don't know why this is but when we play opposition that are weaker than ourselves,we drop our standard of play almost out of sympathy for the opposition.This drop in standard resulted in silly free kicks being given away in dangerous positions.I think I was probably the worst offender. Tillburg to their credit battled back and managed to get I think a welldeserved goal.1-1. This was the spark we needed to wake us up.Just before half time a stroke gallic magic from raphael made the score 2-1. I won't even bother trying to describe the goal,I'll let the team do that. Second half:The boys were fired up and pinned the op back in their own half. But again to their credit the op came at us again and again forcing the stonewall back four to work hard to protect their goal. The forwards had chances to put the ball away but found it difficult to score. Scott kept us in the game by pulling off some spectacular saves ,frustrating the oposition just like the week before a gainst cb hounslow.(Sorry Scott for not biggin' you up at half time) There were substitutions:Louie for Asif,Gavin for Santi and Bill for Will. Final whistle 2-1 to the Stones. It was great to see supporters on the touchline again and some new faces. Highlight of the game for me was Bill whites amazing flick and turn.I'm bill will tell you all about it . C.B Hounslow United 3rds(1) 1 - 0 (0) Stonewall Reserves 7th January 2006 - Junior Reserve Division Christmas came and went,new year came and went and soon my mind was back on preparing for the second half of the season starting with a return match against Hounslow,who had beaten us 4-1 earlier in the season.The game was switched from their ground to broadfields.I didn't hold out much hope of a result because of a lenghty break and being without four key players.Nuff respec' to bill white and asif for stepping in when needed and doing a fantasic job.The pitch was heavy and the ref was in fine form. He made it clear in his style of reffing that he was not going to take any rubbish from anyone.He constantly had to remind the op that he was in charge. It was great to see that the stonewall boys watched and learned from the kick off.Although being under the coshe(hope i spelt that correctly)for the first 15, the stonewall boys defened their goal forcing the op to take shots from well outside the penelty area.Scott making his return to the 2nds after an interesting debut for the 1st was fantastic dealing with anything the op could throw at him.The defence wise man will,tall man oscar and blonde man Paul L played like a vintage AC milan back four, with me titch man aslie trying his best to do a cockney Franco Barase.The midfield with dynamo lloyd,crucial craig and our stand ins Big bill and footballholic asif played as if playing for the 2nds meant evrything to them.Up front liquid leighton and john (eval knieval)payne kept harrassing hounslows back four,ang creating several chances right up to the last minute of the game . the ops where so worried the that their goal keeper wanted the ref to stop the game so he could go for a piss.The ref thimking he was taking the piss told him to get on with the game.The game did have one goal which came minutes befor the end of the first half and the game ened one nil to the op.That did'nt dampen our spirits and we went to the dressing feeling good about our performance and looking forward to next week agaisnt Tillbury.It was great to see Brian (physio)on the touch line and danny k supporting his teamates.The bar was a little empty but everyone who came down to play and watch stayed for a drink.Team spirit is very good for the seconds lets make it good for the club no matter what the result.Forgive me if this has gone on for a bit but this is my first time writing a match report.Excuses,excuses. Team:scott,will,aslie,oscar,paul,craig,bill,lloyd,asif,leighton and john p. Stonewall Reserves (0) 0 v Brentham Reserves (2) 5 17th December 2005 - Junior Reserve Division 30 minutes of solid football. They got a free kick, and a pin-point freekick into the top corner it was too. It has to be said it was a good goal. 10 more minutes of solid play followed, then they had a looping chipped ball and goal. I remember one shot on target in the first half, and that was a cross from me on the left ! So 2-0 at half time. Half time and Danny pointed out that if we got the next goal we would be back in it. Brentham knew how to wind us up. Having gay.com on our shirts seems to encourage the younger players of the opposition to mouth off. We gave as good as we got though, and it was nice to hear some of their older players telling the younger ones, especially that mop-top-Mcfly-lookalike to shut up. Second half Leighton had a header go narrowly wide, Emilio found himself in front of goal a couple of times but his shots missed, although I have to say Emilio did pick the ball up well, move out wide many times, and then wasn't backed up by anyone closer, and was closed down. We need to support each other. We need to move the ball around better up front. We need to let our flair players know they are about to be tackled from behind. If long balls to our front players aren't working because the opposition defence is picking them off a bit too easy, then play to feet...We know this. Anyway they scored 3 more. Hope I'm not writing the same thing in the match reports all next year. It has to be said this defeat took the wind out of some players sails, but it also should be remembered that teams who go a goal down first in this league seem to crumble. Remember Hayes ? Come on lads we know we can do it ! Team : Aslie, Finny, Danny,(Asif), Leighton, Alexis, Louis, Lloyd, Raff, George, John, Emilio Harefield Wednesday 2 - 3 Stonewall Reserves 10th December 2005 - Junior Reserve Division Trophy (Round 1) No Report back to top Stonewall Reserves (0) 1 v Brunel University Reserves (2) 6 3rd December 2005 - Junior Reserve Division With 13 players this week we lined up against Brunel University Reserves who would go top of the League after this result. For the first 25 minutes again though we held our own. Brunel seemed to be playing 4-5-1, and although they had 5 in midfield, and had a tricky blond playmaker, any ball in the air from either goalie was being effortlessly dealt with by Oscar and Lloyd. We'd been in a game like this before, and opposition play then tends to result in their wingers lofting hopeful balls into our area, indeed it seemed that their midfield instead of trying to get past ours started doing the same, so it was up to the back four of Craig, Aslie, me, and Paul to clear first time, as they seemed to be a bit kick-and-rush once they realeased the ball. Corners resulted, but were dealt with well, especially by Scott who punched well too. More and more they were getting through, and I have to hold my hand up here because of that, and if it wasn't for bad finishing by them the score could have been more. They scored. We had glimpses of good passing along the deck, but some of our players try to do too much, beat too many players, but sometimes have to do that because they aren't given an attacking option. I can recall their goalie having to make a few saves too. Then a penalty was awarded by a squat crew-cut 60 year old Texan Sheriff from the on-rushing Scott, who looked to have got to the ball first, which made it 2-0 at half time. Danny again pointed out what we could do better. John and George our strikers asked for the ball to their feet, something we had discussed last week. Finny came on for Danny, Gavin came on for me. Second half we started brighter. The ball was finding John and George's feet. Louis started linking up well with George, and then Geroge did it again. Dink, dink, dink, dink, beat the goalie, bang. 2-1 our tails were up. With Gavin suring up defence a bit more, and Finny stretching their defence wider with runs into the box, the game suddenly became more open. Two minutes after our goal, George did it again, about 4 dinks, only this time the goalie saved. Their back four started arguing, and we were right back in it....right back in it with no subs...right back in it and then Oscar pulled up with a hamstring injury...right back in it and Finny pulled up with a hamstring injury...we had 9, they still had 11...Oscar bravely went back on, but they then went on to score 4. Lloyd told me later that Paul and Aslie had made many timely tackles during the final minutes of the match and thats testiment to the sides fight this season. Stonewall Reserves (0) 0 v Eastcote-Richings Park (2) 4 26th November 2005 - Junior Reserve Division with only 10 men starting (Lloyd was due to make a late guest appearance) the fight, and the passion had returned, and it was good to see. We held our own, easily against a side that would finish 4th in the table after this result. Aslie deputised for Scott who was away, and pulled off a host of excellent saves, as Eastcote, even with Lloyd finally turning up, were reduced to shooting from distance, as Oscar was proving to be a rock, and a defence minded leader which we haven't really had all season. We worked well as a unit, the ball broke to the midfield who would set Louis on the left, and John and George through the middle on their way. Big Bill was blocking up their attack down the left so we were doing fine. Up to that point. 2 goals went, but we kept fighting almost recovering a couple of times. Our best move being, Lloyd, to Raph, to Louis who skinned their right back, before passing it across their penalty area to a finish with a powerful shot by Raph just missing the goal. It was neat, along the floor passing, and is the Reserve's forte when played. Half time 2-0. We haven't met anyone that has played us off the park this season, so you felt there was an air of determination still there as we lined up for the second half. 2 more Eastcote goals went, the game became wide open, but we still attacked when we could, although our attacks were not as fluid as they had been a couple of games ago. So 4-0. Aslie even saved a penalty ! After the game, and for the first time I've ever known in a Stonewall changing room, we sat down together, and before showering went round in a circle with EVERYONE giving their view of what we could do better. No one argued, no one blamed, everyone listened and was curteous to each other. Most unusual. We may have just lost 4-0, but that chat afterwards created a real team feeling I thought, and so we ALL went for a drink afterwards, and had a good laugh, and thats one of the best things about this club, the general crack ! :) back to top Stonewall Reserves (1) 3 v Hounslow Wanderers Reserves (2) 2 12th November 2005 - Junior Reserve Division Maradona, Crespo, Simeone, Gustavo! your boyz took hell of a beating ! and so did Houslow Wanderers Reserves's Goal Posts today. What a cracker this was too. Eventually getting there via awful traffic, we lined up, ready to go, knowing we would need to start a run of unbeaten games to stay in touch with the leaders. Hounslow Wanderers Reserves were above us in the table, were young, and quick, and seemed intent on resorting to playing long balls over the top as Lloyd and Raphael immediately imposed their authority in the middle of the park. 15 minutes in, a neat one-two around the edge of our area, and a shot into the corner of our goal, was the usual wake-up call we needed to get going. Finny's neat one touch passing to Lloyd or Raphael ended up with a through ball for Louis and Oscar to chase down, and cause many resulting corners for their efforts. Finny must have taken about 6 in the first half, we got close, but not close enough. The equaliser came from the other side, and a little piece of Brazilian magic. Again. He'd already ghosted past 5 players earlier, and missed, he wasn't going to let that happen again, 1,2,3,goalie, before burying it. George we are not worthy ! We peppered their goal from then on, the simple passing at times just made the game look so easy, but then they scored from a quick counter attack. Oh well, 2-1 to them, but we knew we could and would do it. Danny Kay, who talks a good game, pointed out what we could do better, as John Payne came on for another tireless Louis display, and it was back to business, as we went for the win, Finny and George were being picked out more and more, and with Oscar running their back line ragged, gaps were appearing for John to exploit. Another corner taken short this time, with George working his way into the box, before putting in a slide rule pass, across the top of the box, to Raph (who later admitted he fell over himself), and got us the break through penalty. The only thing he didn't do was lift up his collar, stare at the Goalie Cantona-like and say Au Revoir as he slotted it low to make it 2-2. Game on. Heads go down in this League when teams are losing I've noticed so far this season, but we knew we had to win at all costs to stay in touch. Yet another Finny corner, mad scramble, before the smallest player on the pitch tapped in, making George equal top scorer for the mighty Reserves. For the last few minutes the last few dribbles of Hounslow Wanderers Reserves attacks were snuffed out, as they generally had been all game by Paul, me, Aslie, and a special guest appearance by crazy legs Peter Nedd. So, Satisfying. Oh yeah, before I forget, Scott (who had been his resilient fearless self again) asked me not to mention that if he had to be used as a bar of soap, it would be Newcastle's Scott Parker. Good choice. Team : Scott, Paul, Alexis, Aslie, Peter, George, Raphael, Lloyd, Finny, Louis(John), Oscar back to top Stonewall Reserves (0) 1 v C.B.Hounslow Wanderers Reserves (1) 4 29th October 2005 - Junior Reserve Division CBHWR hadn't lost all season, were a young side, had two good wingers who crossed the ball in a lot (when they could), used fast counter-attack style football, and we will know their game plan when we go to their place, and we will win at their place too. Their first goal about 10 minutes in, was hit first time by their winger into the corner, no chance for anyone with that, but with a welcome return to midfield for Lloyd Murphy, linking up with Raphael, nothing was coming through the middle, infact our Midfield had it all yesterday, two engines, and two flair players on the wings, and thats probably why their few attacking plays only seemed to come down the wings. We held our own for the rest of the half, as we were equal to them, our best chance of an equalizer came with Oscar's shot when found in space, in front of goal, just missing Apollo13, although to be fair Oscar and Paul led the line well and were getting tackles in on their jittery defence which was keeping the ball in their half, until the Half Time Whistle. So 0-1. Half Time Their next 2 goals came from ricochets, and one quick counter attack, as we were pushing up for an equaliser. 0-3. No one gave up though. Instead we fought more. Danny Miller had come on for Paul, and Louis who had moved up front, was really fighting for the ball I thought, and started to link up well with George again, which resulted in an indirect Free Kick, pass to Raff, who blasted it low into the corner. Our tails were up. We kept the pressure up, Danny 2 coming on for Aslie, and there was definately more determination, and effort. Almost a contender for goal of the Season, came from a rock solid Left Back performance by Irish Paul, who from 30 yards out shot with his right foot just going over the cross bar. We pressed and pressed and their defence were becoming more nervy, but we just couldn't find that extra little bit of cutting edge. Then they scored in the 90th ! Oh well. 1-4. Team : Scott, Will, Aslie(Danny 2), Alexis, Irish Paul, Louis, Raphael, Lloyd, George, Paul(Danny M), Oscar. back to top