Westside Reserves 4-6 Old Boys Clapham 07.05.2011

Match Report by Peter Joicey

the contents of this report are biased, one sided and probably inaccurate

Croydon Greenside had many games in hand and had the possibility of winning the league, that was until Old Boys Clapham rocked up on Easter Saturday to crucify their season chances. Greenside have now declared that they won’t be able to fulfil their remaining seven matches and have withdrawn from playing the remaining ties. On the hottest day ever recorded in April, Old Boys Clapham turned up the heat with first half goals from a powerful Cian McGuire header and Alex McGreevy free kick. Old Boys Clapham continued to dominate the second half and Joe Chun headed in his first ever headed goal to kill the tie and Matt Balk powered home from close range after excellent work by Mahf Chowdhury on the right wing. Both Matt Belk and Emmett Shingler had chances to make the victory more convincing and King Kenny made a sublime last minute reaction save to keep the deserved clean sheet.

Before the game Croydon Greenside could have finished on 44 points had they won all their remaining games. Old Boys Clapham knew that we would have to beat Greenside and win the remaining games to win the league. OBC were disappointed to have conceded a late equaliser against Crescent Rovers the previous week and so this game took on huge significance. Anything other than a win would see OBC’s promotion push fall apart.

In goal veteran stopper Mel Kenny took over the gloves from Matt Custance who was away. Kenny had performed brilliantly in the recent midweek 2-1 win at Battersea Ironsides. Across the back Charlie Horner filled in for Alex Whelan at right back. Andy Cochrane and skipper Alex McGreevy continued at centre back. Simon Burbage who is enjoying good form continued at left back. Across the midfield Mahf Chowdhury started wide right. Cian McGuire returned to centre midfield after returning from holiday. Joe Kubik was asked to drop into midfield as Mike Breen had returned home for Easter. Joe Chun maintained his starting place on the left wing. Matt Belk returned to be partnered by Dean Barrett up front. On the bench was Emmett Shingler, Marc Henderson who was still not fit enough to start, Peter Joicey and Paul Lewis.

The game kicked off with the home side very much in the ascendency. Their number 4 and skipper was able to play neat little triangles around the pitch which meant that the OBC started off chasing shadows. Despite the high tempo of the opposition it was OBC who carved out the first real chance of the game. Simon Burbage disposed the skilful number 12 and released Joe Chun down the left wing. Chun could not get the ball out of his feet when through on goal and the keeper was able to recover well.

Chun again was the danger man when he used his excellent skills and trickery to beat the full back and as he raced into the box he looked more interested in finding Dean Barrett for a tap in rather than go it alone himself.

OBC got hold of the game when Barrett was told to man mark the holding midfielder the number 4 and this disrupted the home side’s pattern of play. Cian McGuire and Joe Kubik started to get the better of the opposition midfielders.

Matt Belk had a goal chalked off when put through by Dean Barrett, the flag looked a bit iffy as the passes were short and sharp in a congested area just in front of the defence rather than behind it. Dean Barrett then had a snap shot from the edge of the area which failed to trouble the Greenside keeper.

At the back OBC were winning every ball. Cochrane and McGreevy never missed a header and Burbage and Horner made excellent tackles at full back. The lads really put up an excellent platform from which we could attack.

The deadlock was broken in the 36^th minute when a Belk throw in was powered home by the big Irishman. McGuire thumped the ball past the keeper who had no chance. McGuire’s 9^th goal of the season.

The lead was doubled when Mahf Chowdhury was brought down twenty five yards from goal just outside the box. Perfect for a left footer and skipper Alex McGreevy duly obliged. McGreevy curled the ball over the wall and it looked as if Andy Cochrane got in front of the keeper and touched it in but the defender admitted that he never got a touch and if anything his run confused the keeper and the ball sailed right through and into the back of the net. McGreevy’s 3^rd goal of the season.

At half-time Joicey said that everyone was playing well but Joe Chun, Dean Barrett and Mahf Chowdhury all had to be more physical in the tackles as they were being out-tackled by players younger than themselves. Barrett was asked to be more direct as the Greenside back four had little pace or confidence it seemed. Joicey wanted first time balls to defeat the offside flag as often Dean or Joe Chun would take an extra touch and the pass would be too late and the flag would go up.

The second half kicked off in the manner of the first. Greenside had rearranged their midfield and back four and again had good spells of possession. Joe Chun effectively killed the tie on the counter attack in the 58^th minute when Charlie Horner floated a delightful ball to the back post where Chun stooped to plant the ball past the keeper. Great cross from Horner and an accomplished finish from Chun. That was Joe Chun’s 9^th goal of the season.

Matt Belk had the opportunity to get on the score sheet himself moments later when a delightful through ball put Belk through and he seemed to do everything right and waited for the keeper to commit but he fired directly at the keeper which was something of a surprise.

Cian McGuire got a knock on his ankle and was substituted. Chun had asked Joicey for a chance in central midfield and now he got his opportunity as Emmett Shingler was brought on to the wing in place of the big midfielder.

Chun showed good energy and commitment in midfield and OBC continued to dominate territorially and in terms of possession. It was no surprise when Matt Belk did finally get on the score sheet after Mahf Chowdhury weaved in and out of Greenside penalty area before rolling the ball to Belk to fire into the roof of the net from eight yards out. Belk’s 26^th goal of the season.

Emmett Shingler showed good pace on both flanks and was unfortunate not to end his goal drought in the closing minutes when he raced through on goal and waited for the keeper to commit and with both corners of the net open to him he fired down the keeper’s throat and the effort was well saved.

At the death there was some silly stuff said to Mel Kenny in goal and the referee had to warn the home manager. The distraction allowed for Greenside to have their one decent effort on goal in the game and Kenny dived to his left to palm the effort around the post in what was an excellent reaction save.

Joe Chun suffered from cramp in the 93^rd minute and was replaced by Joicey, and within twenty seconds the full time whistle was blown. A great result and good warm up for the Cup Final on Thursday evening.

Peter Joicey
24.04.2011

		1. Custance

12. Horner	2. Cochrane		3. McGreevy	15. Burbage

	20. McGuire		8. Kubik
7. Chowdhury				35. Chun
	10. Barrett		29. Shingler