|
Lloyds TSB Vets 2 Nottsborough Vets 3 Friendly 20th December 2008
Beckett’s penalty save better than Montgomery
The Kent Cricket Club training ground was the venue for this Sunday morning clash. The home team were much the better side in the first half and really should have turned around at half time with more than their 1-0 lead. That they did so was largely down to a fantastic penalty save by Matt Beckett the third team vice Captain who was once again pressed into action in goal with Nigel Miller literally off the road. The Lloyds man struck his penalty well down in the bottom left hand corner, but somehow Beckett got a firm wrist on the ball and it looped just over the bar. It reminded me of the Jim Montgomery save in the Cup Final in the 80’s. Most of the players in this game had left their best football behind in the 80’s. Nottsborough conceded a goal but somehow held on till half time with both John Litster and Duncan Watkins standing out. Paul Haigh was Nottsborough’s one source of relief but too often the blind alley awaited. Graham Appleby got away several times down the right but seemed intent in planting his crosses behind the home goal.
Nottsborough received a firm talking to at half time about their lack of involvement and total failure to keep the ball. The home keeper, who clearly was not a proper keeper, had not been tested once. Things were about to change. Graham Day was introduced in midfield for IJ who had totally lost his sat nav. Skipper Greaver came on for AD. At last Nottsborough started to pass to eachother rather than to the opposition and they scored a superb equaliser. Graham Day exchanged passes with both Jonty and Haighy before bursting into the area and thumping the ball home. Although they were improving Lloyds were still enjoying good amounts of possession with the ex-Glasgow Rangers man dictating affairs when he wasn’t verbally battling with the ref. Lloyds had a shout for a penalty and were looking menacing on the counter-attack; well mostly menacing the houses behind the goal actually. Beckett however did have to make another good save whilst John Litster stood out for Nottsborough in defence with Appleby settling into right back.
The game really opened out in the last half hour. Jonty had to go and this meant a re-introduction for IJ, who now showed that he could run and pass, unlike the first half version. IJ was involved in the build up for the second goal and a free kick was won out on the right hand touchline level with the edge of the area. Jon Gregory, who had really come into the game, swung the ball in on the freshening breeze. It wasn’t anywhere near a Nottsborough head but far too near the keeper for the home teams liking. The ball ended up in the top corner and Nottsborough had an improbable lead. This was extended shortly afterwards as a very difficult dipping and swerving shot on the breeze bounced in front of the keeper and up into the roof of the net. There was still time for the ex-Glasgow Rangers man, appropriately named Jimmy, to show that he was fallible and miss an absolute sitter. I think the ref did remarkably well not to mention something about this mistake as he had received quite a lot of comment during the game about his perceived mistakes. The game was brought to an end by a terrific goal from the Lloyds left mid-fielder who freely admitted he had been having a bad day until he skipped past Appleby and smashed the ball into the far corner. A great goal to end a pretty ordinary game with Nottsborough “winning ugly” 3-2 when of late they have been most likely to “lose beautifully”.
Man of the Match for Nottsborough John Litster. Read the game superbly.
Malden Vets 3 - 8 Nottsborough 15 sep 07
A resounding victory on Sat, 8-3 I think was the last count. Very nice to put the oppo in their place after losing to them for the last two years. The game was pretty even until Humper went off doing a great impression of Jason Robinson and we were down to ten men. I guess this freed up some space for Grinner up front (or they tired even quicker than we did!). The positives: Lucky Jim and Grinner, and if you pass the ball and keep it simple it really does work. The negatives: Humpers injury plus Jarce is behind Baylo in the goal keeper pecking order.
This weekend we are currently at 13. We will def need 13, so if anything changes please let me or Greaver know asap, plus if anyone can possibly play who was previously a “No” we will likely need you.
Alleyn Old Boys 1 - 5 Nottsborough / AFA Closed Vets Cup 1st Rd 22 Sep 07
Another solid performance from the old boys as they cruised to a 5-1 victory in Dulwich. The management have decided that a Rafa style squad rotation is the way to go and it was proved successful once again. It was good to welcome back Gray Day and Stephen Hughes (2 goals) after a period in the wilderness and many thanks to Gavin (1 goal) for juggling things to make the trip by train and taxi from Woking. Jarse completed a family hat-trick with a Hansen type run from the back ending curling the ball in the top right and the Chairman slotted home after being put through with plenty still to do. When we started pinging the ball about in the first half, it was a pleasure to play in. But there will no complacency and we’re rotating again for next week
Milk Marketing Board 0 – 9 Nottsborough 29 Sep 07
What can I say. Hopefully the score-line reflects the fact that we go from strength to strength. It was a pleasure to play in and for the third week running we played some impressive flowing football. Having rested the likes of Lyons, Day, IJ, Grinner, Humper and Lucky Jim and with a few players still waiting in the wings to make their first appearance of the season John L, Greaver, and Ivan, we’re in strong position to make a push this year. The key will be getting 14 players out for the later rounds as the oppo gets stronger. The Chairman slotted a hat-trick (one a bit special), Del Boy and Chris Braithwaite with a couple that Tony Currie would have been proud of, Swifty, Jon Greg, Dustin and an OG rounded out the scoring. Plus Nigel still has only had one goal scored against him all season plus we’re playing the ball out from the back four which is a big part of our success going forward. On to round two.
Old Salvatorians vs. Nottsborough Saturday 27 October 2007
(By our special reporter – Jack Johnson (Aged 7)
London Veterans Open Cup 2007/8
The match was in a park in Wembley. I could see the front of Wembley stadium. You can see it from Epsom but this was much closer. When a train came past it went de de – de de de –de de de de – Wembley! with its horn.
Nottsborough won 1-0 but they should have scored 4 or 5. Greavey and Apps missed loads of good chances. It was 0-0 at half time. My Dad hit the cross bar he was really unlucky. Some one called Davey H got knocked out. The team calls my dad IJ because that’s his initials.
When I watch Nottsborough I usually play with my friend Joe Hughes. But this time he wasn’t here there because he had a part.
At the end they nearly got a penalty. One of their players tripped over our goalkeeper. But the referee didn’t give it and they all said swear words.
After the match we went in to the bar. And I had a beef burger in a bun. And I watched Chelsea v Manchester City on T.V. Chelsea won 6-0.
MAN OF THE MATCH WAS GREY DAY
Nottsborough 4 - 0 Frenford Vet AFA Open Vet Cup 27 Oct 07
We won again on sat 4-0 and are now in the quarters of both AFA cups. The result was a tad flattering but our fearless reputation from corners paid dividends, scoring three (I remember John L scoring from one back in 91 I think?); Greaver, Gavin and Steve Hughes. Greaver added a second with a tidy finish from a great cross field ball from Dustin. Not sure why but we seem fitter this year but we are, and having 2 or 3 subs is going to be key to progressing further this year, with the last 20 minutes proving very tough for teams with just 11. Not going to write anything bad about oppo ‘cos this will appear on the web, nuff said!
|
