Norton OBC 2-0 Kerria Knights

Match Report by Peter Joiceyan in-depth biased, one sided analysis of Norton OBC’s match

Match Rating out of 10: 10.0

OBC WIN CUP FINAL! HISTORIC FIRST TROPHY FOR THE OBC

Tom Simpson and Steve Allison hit first half sucker punches to sink high flying Kerria Knights at Corinthian Casuals in the cup final. Simpson got on the end of an Alex McGreevy free kick and calmly placed the ball past the keeper to give the OBC an early lead. Mel Kenny denied Kerria an equaliser when he got down low to push the ball from the feet of the on running striker. Steve Allison put the tie beyond reach when he reacted quickest to a Marc Henderson knock down and Allison popped up at the back post to turn the ball home off the inside of the post. Matt Belk nearly added a third when he hit the outside of the post with a drive from the edge of the area as OBC dominated the first half. In the second half Norton soaked up Kerria pressure and Joe Kubik uncharacteristically hit the post with a low drive midway through the second half as game was swinging more and more Norton’s way. Mahf Chowdhury also had a glorious chance to add to the score as he weaved past four defenders but could not flick the ball past the stranded keeper with the outside of his foot. Chowdhury had a thirty five yard lobbed cleared off the line and Max Pumphrey rattled the crossbar from a narrow angle as Norton maintained the pressure and the work rate to snuff out the Knights. Mel Kenny made a number of saves, getting down low to deny the Kerria striker at his feet as Kenny spilled a shot back to him. An excellent team performance full of spirit, endeavour and character. This is the start of something special and a great way to leave Norton Football Club on high after six successful seasons.

Norton lined up with Mel Kenny in goal. Josh Gill started his first ever game at right back. Tom Simpson, Marc Henderson and Alex McGreevy continued at the back from the late win against Tooting Bec. Nick Lee continued wide right with Steve Allison being called in for central midfield duty for the first time since the 4-1 over London Romans back in August. Steve Allison was partnered by Joe Kubik. Leroy Donald continued out on the right with Matt Belk and Max Pumphrey left up front. On the bench Mahf Chowdhury could consider himself unlucky after his barnstorming, destroying performance against Tooting Bec. Also on the bench was Ricardo Martins and Simon Burbage who also did well on Saturday.

The game kicked off with Kerria Knights third in Division Two and had only suffered two losses all season. Kerria were obviously confident but perhaps suffered from over confidence as Norton quickly got into our stride and took control of the game. Kerria struggled with dealing with the linesman at both ends misjudging our well timed runs in attack and needlessly running off side at our end in defence. The result was that Norton were able to keep the ball in play better and move the ball around the park.

The deadlock was broken in under ten minutes when Leroy Donald was fouled on the left touchline. Captain Alex McGreevy swung over the ball and Tom Simpson timed his run to perfection to slot the ball past the keeper to give Norton a deserved lead. Simpson’s 4^th goal of the season.

Norton almost doubled the lead when Max Pumphrey was brought down after dribbling from the right wing inside. Joe Kubik unleashed a wonderful drive that powered just wide of the left hand post with the keeper all but beaten.

Norton used both flanks to good effect. Donald on the left and Pumphrey cutting in from the right posed real goal threats for Norton. Donald was unlucky not to get on the score sheet as he was put through on goal by an excellent defence splitting pass from Kubik. Donald was denied by an excellent last ditch tackle from the number four as the ball was put out for a corner. The ball was swung in by McGreevy and the ball fell to Kubik on the edge of the area but Kubik thrashed at the ball and the effort sailed over.

At the back Norton were comfortable with Gill, Simpson, Henderson and McGreevy all being bang on with their tackles and distribution. The defence was breached on one occasion where their quick striker was left bearing down on the Norton goal with only Kenny to beat. But these days its hard to kill Kenny and he expertly dived to the strikers feet and smothered the ball.

From Kenny’s kick out Max Pumphrey collected the ball and won a throw in deep in the Kerria half. Matt Belk launched a long throw into the box where Henderson won the flick on to the back post where game keeper right back turned goal poacher hooked the ball home off the post to put Norton 2-0 up. Allison’s 4^th goal of the season.

Norton were unlucky not to end the half three goals to the good when a strong run by Matt Belk resulted in a firm shot bending onto the outside of the post and out for safety. It looked all the world a goal until it curved viciously at the last moment. The half ended 2-0.

At half time Joicey said that Norton had done well because we had kept our heads and our nerve and they were losing theirs. It was important to maintain the focus and intensity of the performance as the job was only half done.

The second half started with Kerria very much in control. Kerria flooded forward in search of an equaliser but they could not get around Gill or McGreevy and they could not pull down the wall that was Henderson and Simpson. Allison and Kubik worked their proverbials off in midfield to close down and harry the Kerria onslaught.

Josh Gill literally ran himself into the ground. Mahf Chowdhury was brought on and Nick Lee reverted to right back. Mahf Chowdhury immediately brought a change of focus into the game as Chowdhury took the game back to Kerria. Chowdhury showed the same hunger and intensity that won us the game against Tooting Bec on Saturday gone as he won the ball wide on the right and rolled the ball back to Lee. Lee side stepped two forwards before returning the ball back to Chowdhury who turned one defender and then the next. Chowdhury appeared to have done all the hard work and with the keeper on his backside Chowdhury could not toe poke the ball into the empty net.

Matt Belk then released Joe Kubik on the left of the box and uncharacteristically Kubik thumped a placed shot against the left hand post. Norton just could not get that killer third goal. Allison was denied when he beat the keeper from two yards out but a mixture of the post and a defender on the line was able to scoop the ball out to safety.

At the other end Kerria tried to counter attack but they found no way through and Kenny did well to save a drive from the edge of the area. Kenny fumbled the ball but manage to grasp it at the second time at the feet of the striker. Kerria made other chances but were forced to snap at them as headers and shots either went high or wide.

Alex McGreevy took a knock on the ankle and Simon Burbage came on to ensure that the defence was not breached. Then Leroy Donald pulled up with cramp and Ricardo Martins was moved up front with Max Pumphrey dropping to the wings.

Frustration took hold of Kerria as they racked up the bookings and wasted time arguing with the referee to the relief of Norton as it was clear that their heads had gone and they realised that they could not break a stubborn Norton down.

Late pressure saw Max Pumphrey thump a shot off the top of the cross bar from a narrow angle on the right edge of the area and Mahf Chowdhury saw an excellent lobbed effort cleared off the line by a last ditch header from a defender. Referee Cassandra McEvoy blew for full time after six minutes of stoppage time and OBC are the champions!!!

Well done lads, a historic victory and surely the first of many, many more. It also looks as if the new Old Boys Clapham could start life in Division 2. Thank you all for your efforts, bring on 2010-11.

There is no fixture on Saturday. Our final game of the season is at home to Sutton High at Raynes Park on Saturday 24^th April at 2pm. Please let me know your availability by next Wednesday.

Peter Joicey
15^th April 2010