Lewisham Youth v Athenlay U15s

So much has changed since the last post on this august journal [sic] – players have come and gone, players have grown to be taller than their parents – but it’s good to note that the essence of this team has remained the same; they win with good style and lose with good grace.

In their third season in the top tier of Selkent football, the U15s took to the field against Lewisham sitting top of the table, unbeaten after five games. (Actually six, but Selkent, in their wisdom, didn’t grant us the win after the match against Dartford was abandoned with just 10 mins to go with us leading one nil… Hi, Toby if you’re reading – we all send our best wishes and hope the leg is healing nicely.)

Sorry, back to the match at hand.

After a delayed kick-off – oddly nothing to do with Sally being late after a mercy dash to Ikea, but in fact waiting for the ref to get his act together – the match kicked off in conditions that were plainly not conducive to our boys’ elegant possession game: a heavy pitch and gusty winds. Sure enough, it wasn’t long before we were trailing after Lewisham’s impressive No11 struck a fine wind-assisted shot that Freddie could only watch as it sailed past him: 1-0.

A period of dominance then, albeit a short one, saw a Caspar/Ricardo attack followed shortly by a Rafferty free kick which beat the wall but sadly drifted wide before Seth put Athenlay on level terms with a pile-driver from the edge of the area.

Lewis continued to cause problems with his terrier-like approach to the game that has become his trade mark in recent seasons. He was pulled back, earning another free kick in a promising area and the left footed Caspar – to be fair, unlike Freds, we only have one Caspar, but you get my drift – stepped up only to see his effort steered around the post.

Both sides vied for the next goal – Bowie was denied, as was Raff, while Lewisham struck the post twice before the deadlocked was, er, unlocked by their dangerous No11. 2-1 Lewisham.

Then came one of the game’s talking points. Our goalie misjudged a cross ball and took out their striker rather than the ball – well, we’ve all done it – PENALTY! No bother; our No1 is something of a penalty specialist. No need for mind games and trash-talking this week – he just saved the pen old school.

Surely the game was swinging our way now? And it wasn’t just the game that was swinging; the Lewisham No11 found his way into the ref’s book for leading with his elbow into a challenge with Oghosa. Despite the efforts of Coach Lloyd to dissuade him – is he going for the fair play award this year? – the lad’s name was taken.

The second half saw the wind on our backs. And we were soon back on level terms. A speculative ball froward from the impressive Oghosa at right back was glanced in by the marauding Seth with characteristically deadly use of his right boot that has been with him since the age of six. (Let it be noted that he in fact scored with his left last week – a real collector’s piece.) 2-2

Seth was instrumental in the next phase of the game too. He was penalised by the (fussy?) ref and the resulting free kick found its way to the back of our net. 3-2

Next up Charlie, who has also been with the club since the age of 6, on at right back for Oghosa. His first involvement was to step up like a small Tony Adams to set as smart an offside trap as you will ever see; all the more enjoyable as it denied the arch No11 his hat-trick.

As Oli G, of the Dulwich massive, came on to give Lewis a well-earned rest, he brought an air of calm to the proceedings and played Raff in, only for the resultant shot to go wide. Again. Tut! No matter, moments later Oli took matters into his own hands and lofted an elegant chip over their helpless keeper. 3-3.

Then the game’s second yellow card; to the hot-headed Rafferty. Well, if you play at full speed with 110% commitment you are bound to pick up a few in your career. Mind you, changing room talk suggests that there may have been a case of mistaken identity as the ref told Raff he was being booked because it was his sixth foul; Raff was still protesting his innocence on the team bus home.

Sadly, Lewisham went on to score once again to condemn Athenlay to their first defeat of the season. But as we head into a second lock down there is everything to play for and the title is still ours to lose. Keep your fitness levels up boys; as Peter Crouch would say “we’ll be back stronger”.

View from a dugout 11 May: Sidcup Spartak

Sidcup Spartak 2 Athenlay 5  (Scorers Miles 2, Seth, Oli 2)

Sunday 11th May started with an early start on a rather grey morning, fingers were crossed that the rain stayed away. Sat navs were programmed for our first match against Sidcup Spartak FC (incidentally Coach Kev’s favourite team name in the Selkent Red division; he’s still pitching for the U8s to play as Atletico Athenlay next season) as the Athenlay U8s looked to play their final game of the 2013/2014 season.

Sidcup’s state of the art 3G Astro Turf pitch already had Coach Dave worrying some of the squad may not have approved footwear and, with Raff still absent, he wouldn’t be happy if further players were prevented from playing. However it all appeared to be under control, warm up drills quickly commenced as Coach Dave finalised formations with Head of Youth Football Nick musing about Athenlay’s lack of lottery/Olympic funding and why Nunhead could also do with its own beach volleyball courts.

There was a suggestion that if U8s kept a clean sheet, then they would have mirrored a season of remaining unbeaten, a feat last seen in the Premier League by The Arsenal Invicibles in 2004; maybe this was too much pressure to put the boys under so coach Dave wisely kept it to himself. Instead the boys were reminded to watch the bounce and also the speed of the ball over the 3G pitch.

Giuseppe, Bowie and Oli joined the Athenlay supporters on the touchline, whilst Charlie took up goal duties, Theo, Jacky and Lucian formed the defence with Seth upfront and Toby and Miles on their respective flanks. It wasn’t long before Seth made an attack on goal, which saw his shot being blocked and Miles to pounce on the rebound to hit the back of the net 1-0, 3 mins played. Sidcup quickly regrouped and made their own attack down the left wing, to fire in a deadly cross, Jacky got there first in front of the Athenlay goalmouth and instinctively stuck out a foot to try to put it to safety.  Unfortunately the 3G bounce got the better of him and he was unfortunate to see it bounce off his thigh and into the top of the Athenlay net. 1-1, 5 mins played.

Coaches shouted words of encouragement and the squad picked their heads back up as they regrouped and focused on the job in hand. The next 6 mins saw Miles have 1 shot saved, whilst another hit the side netting, a shot from Seth go wide and a few more missed attempts as the ball travelled far quicker than what the boys were used to. Sidcup made use of the hole that was sometimes creeping into the midfield, Athenlay could have done with their ‘Rafa Toure’.  10 mins played Seth under pressure down the right battled 2 defenders and stood his ground for another quick cross in, this time Miles judged it perfectly, connected and hit the back of the net 2-1.  This was not an easy game as Sidcup regrouped and pulled off a few attacks that made sure Charlie in goal was put to the test, pulling off some fine saves – repeating his previous strong performance between the sticks.  Charlie decided to make things even more lively with some slightly dubious clearances, allowing him to immediately pull acrobatic saves that would have given his mum a coronary if she had been there to see them.  Coach Dave was certainly feeling his blood pressure at this point – would the boys cave under the pressure of completing the impossible by avoiding defeat for a whole season?  The answer came moments later after an AFC attack saw Miles taking a shot inside the Sidcup penalty box for it to be blocked, the resulting scramble then saw a Sidcup player clearing the ball into his own net, however it appeared to come off Seth so technically was that an own goal or another for the prolific blonde goalscorer? The coaches would definitely have to consult about this one later.

The second half saw Jacky, Seth and Lucian starting on the touchline. Miles started in goal, with defence handled by Theo, Guiseppe and Toby, leaving Oli, Charlie and Bowie on attack duties. AFC continued to dominate, a clever interplay involving Theo, Charlie and Oli, resulted in Oli volleying a looping shot over the keeper into the top corner with just over a minute being played, 4-1. The next 3 minutes saw Sidcup piling on the pressure, and it worked, a defensive mix up between Oli and Theo resulted in a Sidcup player getting a clear shot on goal, and he placed it just out of reach of Miles, 4-2.

The next 6 mins saw end to end action, as the game continued at pace, the AFC defence was tested quite a few times, but held up. It took a surge down the left flank from Oli, for Sidcup to panic, and he was duly bought down for a free kick. Coach Lloyd gave him the go ahead to take a shot, Oli duly responded and curved the ball into the top far corner from outside of the area, 5-2. The final 10 minutes of the match saw Bowie trying to get on the scoresheet, however Sidcup’s keeper was being far too effective, likewise Miles at the other end ensured AFC conceeded no more goals.

Lloyd awarded Oli man-of-the-match for his second half outing.  Another fine display from the AFC’s U8, and another memorable day of action that left coaches and parents feeling rather proud of what has been achieved over the 2014 season – beaten in the semi-finals of the Vase – and unbeaten in the League. Roll on presentation day and the 2014/2015 season; hopefully we will have our own 3G pitch at Homestall Road in 2014. Or 2015?

View from the dugout: 27 April rockhoppers

Pitchside correspondent: Ernest Reid

The Sat Nav was a must, for probably our furthest away game to date as the U8’s faced Petts Wood’s Rockhoppers for the first time, in the depths of Barnet Wood. The late addition of Giuseppe meant a final re-jig by Coach Dave of the squads formations, as the U8’s were already dealing with an absent Rafferty, who is still nursing a broken ankle.

Oli was on goal duties, Theo , Lucian and Toby took up defensive duties, leaving Seth and Miles as the wing men, and Jackie out infront. Charlie, Bowie and Giuseppe joined the Athenlay supporters on the touchline.

The boys were quick off the blocks, with Seth putting Athenlay ahead after 51 secs, 1-0. Pressure resumed straight away after the PWFC centre, with Miles having his first shot blocked, and by 2 mins in, he scored. 2-0.
Athenlay were not letting up, they had clearly found their stride , a combination from Toby, to Miles, ended with Seth hitting the back of the net 4mins 40 secs in. A cross from Miles on the left then saw Seth, I think cleverly back heel the ball for a hat-trick within the games first 6 mins, he must have had 3 shredded wheat for breakfast this morning. With this season golden boot award still to be decided, the young Robinson took the opportunity to hit the net after his first shot was saved by the extremely busy Rockers Keeper, he pounced on the rebound, 5-0, and we only played for 7mins.
Reminiscent of recent Liverpool openers, Athenlay had blown apart their opposition, and the next 5 mins showcased further beautiful team play, with awareness and passing that resulted in further goal attempts from Lucian, Seth, Bowie and Toby that either went wide, hit the side netting, or were saved. Theo and Oli were troubled only sightly so far, ensuring that PWFC found it hard to get anywhere near AFC 13 yard box, let alone get a shot on goal.
An Athenlay counter attack saw Lucian laying up Toby, who added to the score sheet 6-0, 12 and half minutes played. The remainder of the first half saw shots from Jackie, Toby, Miles and Seth all being blocked or saved to keep most of the action around PWFC goal end, Toby then saw his next shot sail over the crossbar, and Seth trying one last time,only for it to go wide.

Half time saw another quick round of jaffa cakes, as Coaches Dave and Lloyd, change the team around whilst giving the boys further instructions, to keep playing as a team.

Second half saw Seth on goal duties, don’t think he will be able to score from there…but you never know. Toby, Giuseppe and Miles took up defensive duties, leaving Oliver, Bowie and Charlie upfront.
Charlie’s fresh legs saw him having his first shot being saved within 40 secs of play, he was undaunted, moments later saw an interchange between him and Bowie giving him his first goal, 7-0, 2 minutes in.
AFC continued to cause havoc, with Oli, Bowie and Charlie making effective runs down both flanks, and generally making life hard for PWFC defence. A break down the left from Miles, resulted in another goal after he crossed it into Oli, who skilfully sent it out of reach of the PWFC keeper. Minutes later another AFC attack, resulted in another goal from Oli, 9-0, 10 minutes played.
Coach Dave swapped Oli back into defence, to allow Giuseppe some time upfront, moments later Charlie bagged his second 8-0. AFC defence were rarely troubled once more, with most of the action remaining in PWFC half of the pitch,
Seth seemed to be getting distracted, at one point Coach Dave spotted him playing with a rouge football in the AFC goal, just to get a touch.
Pressure continued at the other end, seeing Charlie getting a hat trick, and further goal attempts from Miles, Toby, Bowie and Charlie being either blocked or saved. Wave after wave of attacks finally resulted in Bowie hitting the back of the net after 17 minutes, 12-0. AFC were not quite finished, the games final minute saw Charlie flying down the left wing, as he literally skipped past 2 PWFC players, and get his cross into Bowie who put the finishing touch on a superb move to bring the game to a close 13-0, the boys biggest victory to date.

PWFC players showed bags of courage and determination, but were simply out played by the boys in yellow from Nunhead, the score would have been even higher if their goal keeper had not done such a determined job of keeping that ball from the back of the net, that was no way reflected by the score line.

As this season comes to a close, it was another beautiful display and showcases how far the U8’s have come this season, with all players working as a unit and building on their skills and passing. However there could only be one man of the match, and after careful deliberation between Miles and Anita, the award went to a well deserved Charlie, who gracefully accepted it.

There were talks of getting back home to watch some live Premiership action, and whether Coach Kev had submitted his application for the MUFC top role, team AFC quickly dispersed back to SE 22.

Score 0-13 (0-6 at ht)

First half
Goals miles Seth 4 Toby

Second half
Goals Charlie 3, oli 2, Bowie 2

Man of the match – Charlie

View from the dugout: 13 April, Jr Reds Knights

A tough fixture this one. A seriously depleted squad, and even several of the coaching staff absent, mean that Athenlay U8s were always going to be up against it. In the spirit of all-hands-on-deck, Coach Kev took on refereeing duties, which means that this report is light on actual facts.

Toby started in goal with Lucian and Theo paired once again at the back, as of old, with Raff in front of them and Charlie and Miles giving width while Jacky pressed high. Details are sketchy but I remember Toby was largely untroubled. Miles put in a good shift down the left and played a good captain’s role, shouting directions to his teammates. Raff was all endeavour again and Lucian and Theo were solid as ever.

The match was played in a good spirit although the ref did have to give a free kick for a second offence of being late into a challenge, and then raise an eyebrow at a Reds player who stood over the deadball preventing the freekick being taken, but apart from that, it was a good game. 0-0 half time.

The second half saw Lucian pull on the gloves for the first time this season. A quick change of formation saw Theo sweep behind Toby and Raff, Charlie and Miles stay as is and Giuseppe strike. And it wasn’t long before Giuseppe struck with a low hard shot from a Charlie pass, just as his dad walked into the ground. 1-0.

Athenlay had the majority of possession but weren’t quite strong enough in front of goal to make it count. When they did get a shot away the Reds ‘s impressive keeper kept them in the game. Lucian was largely untroubled until a cross-cum-shot sailed over his head and into the net; a freakishly good goal or just good fortune? 1-1.

And so the game ended. The Athenlay boys, despite missing several key players, put in another impressive performance, catching the eye with the quality of their passing and moving, just as the coaches have been telling them.

Last week’s man of the match’s mum, Siobhan, was shocked to find she was responsible for picking the MOTM, but, after mentioning Raff in despatches for his hard work and hard tackling, picked out Miles: he may not have got on the scoresheet but his work rate was very impressive.

Athenlay (0) 1

Giuseppe

Junoir Reds Knights (0) 1

 

View from the dugout: 6 April, Eltham Lions

Once the sat nav had delivered us safely to the right ground, the Athenlay U8s set about their task against new opposition with their usual rigour.

Raff pulled on the gloves and padded shorts and Giuseppe was welcomed back from his long lay-off with injury.

Athenlay went ahead courtesy of Oli playing his usual unselfish game, albeit with a dose of extra bite that was pleasing to see. A melee on the edge of the area saw him resist the attentions of the Lions defenders to fire home. 1-0.

Lions pressed hard on their home ground, a small but perfectly drained pitch, and the game was played in a fine spirit, apart from the odd bout of shirt pulling from the Lions’ No6.

Athenlay’s second was indicative of the boys’ progression and testament to the passing and moving game that has seen wiser commentators than myself refer to the U8s corner of the the mini-soccer pitch at Athenlay’s home ground as ‘the Masia’ of Nunhead, where the young charges are schooled in the ways of tica-taca, just as the Camp-Nou’s graduates were. Bowie, lifted his head wide on the left and played a reverse pass in to the path of the onrushing Charlie who beat his man and slotted home. Tremendous stuff to make it 2-0.

Theo kept things tight at the back and Raff perfected his brand of casual cool swatting away the odd shot and picking the ball up just ahead of the studs of a lunging attacker.

The second half saw Oli in goal, though he barely had anything to do, except pick the ball out of the net when Theo and Raff got in a tangle and lost possession in a dangerous area.

Jacky led the line while Seth made a nuisance of himself wide right, winning the odd foul and firing in crosses , while Lucian played havoc with the coaches’ nerves in tight situations and played inviting balls to Charlie wide left. But despite their best efforts the score remained 2-1.

An important away win to keep spirits high. Man of the match, yet again, might have gone to any one of a number of players today. All played well, heeding the cries of ‘take a touch’ and holding their shape, but in the end the coaches felt Charlie had done enough: well done, young man.

Athenlay (2) 2

Oli, Charlie

Eltham Lions (0) 1

 

View from the dugout: 30 March, Docklands FC

Another fine morning in south-east London saw the Athenlay Under 8 eight (no Giuseppe, Jacky or Lucian to call on this week) struggle out of bed after the clocks changed and they had, no doubt, made their mums breakfast in bed – at least, that’s what the coaches had told them to do at training on the previous day…

Seth was in goal for the first half, behind the familiar defensive trio of Theo, Rafferty and Toby. Ahead of them we had Charlie leading the line with Oli and Miles out wide.

This was a great match, finally all the boys hit their stride and played a lovely passing game, held their shape and battled for the ball in midfield. The reward, albeit fortunate, came early doors when Charlie hit a shot that took the goalkeeper should have got to but instead watch crawl over the line. 1-0.

Until this point the honours had been even with Docklands hitting the post and Rafferty testing the keeper early on with a speculative long-range effort. Raff went one better soon afterwards when he won the ball outside the box, jinked round two players and fired home from wide on the right: the goal was dedicated to his mother who sadly couldn’t be pitchside because she was exercising her right to a lie-in. 2-0

Docklands’ tricky No20 was effectively out of the game thanks to the ever watchful Theo, although he did slip his marker with an audacious backheel at one point only for Raff to put in the tackle of the match to snuff out the resultant attack. So it was that the half ended 2-0.

Seth was released for the second half and spent much of his time marauding down the right flank while Charlie took his turn in goal. And what a great job he did, making several timely stops. The Athenlay defence was breached just the once, when the trio left a Docklands player unmarked behind them only to see him receive, control the ball and shoot home; what were the chances? Lesson learnt lads.

But for the main part Athenlay were in control. Captain Toby’s deft touches and positional play caught the eye again, Miles put in a good shift on the left before he was withdrawn to make way for Bowie to slide left and Oli to come on as striker where he again showed his strength in bringing other players into the game with little lay-offs.

The third goal was surely on its way. Seth nearly reached a Bowie cross, and Bowie hit the crossbar before a fast-paced counter attack, from a drop ball caused by the ever-hilarious two-balls-on-the-pitch moment saw Oli, one-on-one with the keeper with a defender on his heels, stand his ground and get a strong shot away. 3-1.

Man of the match? Well it is no exageration to say that there could have been eight. All the boys performed today, but Raff caught judge Lloyd’s eye, for his strong tackling and a quality strike.

Athenlay (2) 3

Charlie, Raff, Oli

Docklands (0) 1

View from the dugout: Selkent Vase semi final; Welling, Our Lady’s Youth

A huge crowd greeted the teams for the much-awaited semi final games.

No Manager Dave – he was on a ‘well-earned’ break – so, once coach Kev had paid the ref (it was legit: all clubs paid the ref a tenner), we were up to face Welling. Miles in goal behind Lucian, Raff and Toby, with Bowie and Seth wide behind Charlie as striker.

Welling were a well-organised team but most of the possession and territory was ours, and so it came as no surprise that, having seen Bowie, Seth and Miles all come close, Athenlay took the lead when Charlie dispatched a pass from Seth. 1-0

Sadly Athenlay couldn’t capitalise on all the possession and closed out the half 1-0 up when in reality, with better luck and a few better first touches it might have been many more.

The second half saw Theo take Raff’s place because, yet again, he  picked up a knock that upset him so much he couldn’t carry on. The change seemed to unsettle the side, sadly. Miles was called into action much more as Welling made use of the space in the centre of the midfield to mount attack after attack. Seth came close when, one-on-one with the keeper he took it round but left himself too much to do and fired wide. A switch of formation saw Lucian drop alongside Theo in the old shape, with Toby filling the hole, but it was still hard, and soon the pressure told as Welling capitalised on a mistake and pulled level in the dying minutes.  1-1

After a short break Athenlay were up against Our Lady’s Youth. Bowie, suffering the effects of a late knock, went in goal, behind the familiar triangle of Theo, captain Toby and a restored Raff. Jacky led the line ahead of Miles and Seth.

Straight away it was clear the Lady boys were no push over. These lads were big, strong and competitive. Equally, it was clear that our lads were not their usual selves.

The first goal came when Toby got caught on the ball by two Lady’s men who then combined to lift a dipping shot high over Bowie into the net. 1-0.

Radical action was required in the second half if we were to go through. A switch saw Jacky go in goal with Seth striking and Bowie wide right. Even this new formation still couldn’t hold off the rise of the Youth. The opposition were snapping into the tackles, giving Athenlay no time on the ball to lift their heads, and played a passing game almost as good as Athenlay’s. The difference in the sides was the physicality and competitiveness. Jacky and Raff combined to clear off the line, but it came as no great shock when we shipped another. 2-0.

Miles arguably should have scored when Seth battled to the by line and squared. On nine times out of ten, Miles would have scored but today wasn’t our day and so it went wide.

And so the dream, ended. Dumped out of the cup.

Still, heads held high: we did well to reach the semi-finals. If we can add a touch of bite and physical strength there is no doubt we can go further next year.

Athenlay (1) 1

Welling (0) 1

Our Lady’s Youth (1) 2

Athenlay (0) 0

View from the dugout 16 March: Selkent Vase Aspire and Lewisham

Another sunny day in south-east London, so it must be the Cup, or the Vase, to give it its correct name.

Today’s absentees: Jacky and Giuseppe, and Lewisham who turned up with just four players and so forfeited their place, meaning that today’s ‘rubber’ was reduced to just Dulwich Aspire/Hamlets, who only turned up with six players. So, to recap, one match, 20 minutes each way, for a place in the semis with Athenley’s seven players against Aspire’s six. Surely no contest…

Raff started the first half in goal behind Theo, Bowie and Toby, Charlie and Seth wide and Lucian striking.

If the Opta stats were available for this match they would say that Athenlay had 98 % of the possession and 98% of the territorial advantage, but this amounted to nothing in the first half. Hamlets were a credit to the pink and blue: incredibly strong, gifted on the ball and well-organised, but with the numbers against them they were always going to struggle.

In a bid to break the deadlock referee Lloyd stepped in and Lucian dropped back alongside Theo with Charlie taking on strike duties. The balance of the side now payed off and the chances came thick and fast although no one broke the deadlock. Bowie came close with a volley, Charlie shot narrowly wide and Seth fired first-time shots wide, despite coaches screaming, ‘Take a touch!’ 0-0 half time.

Toby pulled on the gloves now with Raff and Bowie in front of sweeper Theo with Seth striking and Miles and Oli wide: an attacking formation that would surely bring goals…

Theo was steady as a rock at the back, always finding just the right position to take up to break down attacks and knowing just when to play the ball in to touch or when to launch another attack: if ever there was a player that proved the maxim ‘ you build from the back’ it was Theo Reid.

Athenlay were finding their range. First Miles and then Seth came close before Seth latched on to a through ball from Miles to set Athenlay on the path to victory. 1-0, just as his dad turned up to partake in the hand slaps down the touchline.

Raff, alongside the graceful, efficient Bowie, performed his usual Jordan Henderson role, breaking down and launching attacks and came close with a first-time shot after taking up a great position on the edge of the area at a corner.

Seth made it two when he took a touch – proof that these kids listen – and hit the roof of the net from a Miles shot. 2-0. Seth returned the favour shortly afterwards to put the tie beyond Aspire when he played provider for Miles who tapped home from 2 metres. 3-0 and surely the semi-finals beckoned..

Up front Oli caught the eye again with his unselfish play; with a chance to score he opted to lay the ball square to Man of the Match Seth who got his hat trick. 4-0

Aspire came close in the closing minutes but Toby was more than a match for them, with first his bottom and then his hands preventing Aspire from bothering the scorers.

So it ended 4-0 and Athenlay entered the hat for the semi finals, to be played next weekend folks, so if anyone can come along and support the boys that would be great. Match details to follow midweek.

Athenlay (0) 4

Seth 3, Miles

Aspire (0) 0

View from the dugout: 9 March, Dulwich Hamlets

In weather worthy of an FA Cup Final, Dulwich Hamlets finally deigned to turn up to play Athenlay.

Building on the success of last week’s game, the staff stuck with Coach Lloyd’s new 1-2-2-1 formation, the squashed diamond as it shall become known – expect to see Woy Hodgson adopt a similar shape in Brazil in just 8 weeks time.

First the absentees: Toby was away on a much deserved break after last week’s Man of the Match performance, and Giuseppe was… Hmm, does anyone know where Giuseppe is?

Charlie in goal behind Theo sweeping, Seth and Lucian defensive midfielders, Raff and Oli wide, and Jacky striking. From the off it was clear that Hamlets were no push over: perhaps not the best phrase…

Theo, captain for the day, was calmness personified and did a great job coming across to nullify any Hamlet attacks, of which there were many. Raff was industrious down the right but was substituted early doors to let Miles, a latecomer, come on with Oli switching flanks.

Seth was  controlled in his unfamiliar role at the back and played a lovely pass to put Oli through, firing into the roof of the net past a keeper that evoked memories for the older members of the crowd for his resemblance to Pat Jennings: he was, to the astonishment of the young boys, wearing no gloves…

Hamlets made it one all when their players, all of whom were very calm on the ball and very physical, despite, ahem, their varied ages, made it to the by line, crossed for a tap in. 1-1

It didn’t stay that way long. AFC’s first-choice keeper, Oli, made it two when he created some space for himself at the edge of the area after receiving the ball from a Miles pass and slotted into the corner. 2-1

Jacky came close, striking the post and falling victim to a bobble from the uneven surface to take an air shot; Miles too nearly scored when, finding his right foot lacking he took the ball onto his left only to hit the upright.

Then a moment of controversy. In a game that was fast becoming very competitive physically, with occassional bouts of shirt tugging on the ref’s blind side, the ref, who had a good game, rightly blew for a foul against Seth who felt agrieved that he had not got the decision because the Hamlet player then shoved him. After cautionary words of explanation from the ref the game carried on with both players, to their credit, moving on from the incident. 2-1 half time.

Miles took on the keeper’s grey shirt behind Theo, Raff and Bowie at the back, Seth wide right Oli on the other flank and Charlie up front. Seth came close when he was set up by Oli to have a shot which struck a defender and nearly looped over the Hamlet keeper. He got his goal moments later when one-on-one with a Hamlet player who was all over him he resisted the urge to retaliate and instead cut back in to make space and shot. 3-1.

An Athenlay counter spearheaded by Raff should have seen the yellows extend their lead but he sadly held on to the ball too long rather than pass to Oli alongside him who was eager for his hat trick, so the chance was lost. This was a theme for the afternoon: Charlie led a similar attack moments later and was caught on the ball when a pass would have released a team mate. Seconds later the roles were reversed when Oli was through alongside Charlie and this time did release the ball for Charlie to crash a first-time shot against the post.

And so the fixture ended 3-1. Lessons learnt? More short passing drills in training, coaches? That and practice running with the ball with an opponent tugging your shirt Martin Skyrtl style…

The man of the match decision was tough: Oli put in a fine performance, calm, making space and bringing in his teammates; Lucian was dependable at the back; Theo used good judgement one-on-one to snuff out attack after attack; but the trophy went to Bowie for tireless work closing down very physical opponents and distributing the ball calmly and efficiently. In truth, the boys all played well, again. Hamlets played a good passing game and were probably cannier with the ball and their passes, but, much like Arsenal, had little to show for it.

Athenlay (2) 3

Oli 2, Seth

Dulwich Hamlets (1) 1

View from the dugout: 2 March Teviot White

When news of this fixture came through on the wires the AFC coaching staff went into something a tizzy after an eagle-eyed observer pointed out that Teviot had played us four times, beating us three times and drawing with us once. Revenge was plotted, with a new formation beaten out in a text message exchange so frenzied as to rival that between Arsene Wenger and his lawyer at the height of the £40 million and one pound fiasco.

So as the convoy of blacked-out limos that ferried the players pitch side arrived in, wherever it was that Teviot’s home ground was, excitement was riding high.

First the absentees. No Jacky and no Giuseppe. Controversialy Oli pulled on the gloves again, the second week in a row: a mark of the respect that the AFC staff had for Teviot, to put their No1 keeper in goal. He was behind a new 2-2-1 formation with Toby and Raff in midfield behind Bowie and Miles with Seth striking.

It took thirty seconds for Athenlay’s coaches to realise their mistake: this was not the Teviot who had crushed us previously, but the club’s new side, finding their feet  in their first season. Within a minute Miles had continued his theme of scoring with bizarre body parts when he ‘fired’ home off his tummy from a Bowie cross. 1-0.

The attacks came thick and fast as Athenlay hit their groove against a team still learning their craft. The boys put Saturday’s training routines into practise, passing, passing backwards to go forwards, switching the play, passing into space: the lot. Their keeper was brave and busy saving shots from Miles, Bowie and Seth before Miles tapped home again from another Bowie cross. 2-0

From a Teviot corner the Athenlay boys showed a counter attacking instinct worthy of Man United, back when they were good, as Seth drove forward, looked up to play in Raff who’d steamed along to catch up with him. His shot struck the upright and Toby’s follow-up was wide, but yet again the boys combined unselfishly to great effect.

The third came when Raff played the ball wide to Bowie who crossed, again, only for Seth to hit an air shot worthy of Coach Lloyd on the fairway. Thankfully Toby was on hand to slot it home. 3-0.

The fourth came from a Raff corner that was cleared only as far as Theo who calmly moved the ball out wide to Seth who lashed it home, making it 4-0 at the break.

In the second half Bowie went in goal as Oli played striker, Charlie took Bowie’s place wide right, and Lucian came in for Theo sweeping at the back.

The fifth was unfortunate. The Teviot keeper passed sideways and was caught out by Charlie whose shot was saved but the rebound fell to Oli who tapped home. 5-0

Teviot then staged something of a mini revival. A staggeringly long throw caught the AFC defence unawares and fell to the Teviot’s impressive No5 who made space and shot beneath Bowie. 5-1, game on.

Perhaps not. Defensively Lucian did a number on the dangerous No5 while at the other end Athenlay turned up the pressure with a series of attacks that culminated in Miles getting his hat-trick from another cross, this time from Raff. 6-1

Everything was now coming down the right through Charlie who was clearly bang up for marking his mum’s birthday (Happy birthday, Siobhan!) with a landmark performance. He used his skills to carve out openings for himself and others before he finally bothered the scorers with a goal that had Manager Dave proclaiming it an early goal of the season contender and his dad (Charlie’s, not Manager Dave’s) punching the air with delight: the goal, we later heard, was dedicated to his mum: bless him. 7-1.

Oli was on hand (these Gary Lineker moments keep happening: Oli is clearly master of the science of putting yourself in the right place at the right time) to clean up again soon after when another Charlie strike, following a Toby master-pass, was parried to his feet. 8-1

Charlie made it a brace soon after when, following the keeper’s save from a Rafferty shot, he volleyed a powerful shot into the roof on the net that had the crowd cooing and muttering about Van Basten in 1988. 9-1.

The momentum was now with Atheanly. Raff notched the tenth, making room for himself to break into the box wide right and fire low and hard across the goal. 10-1.

But perhaps the biggest cheer of the day came right at the end. With the game won, the coaches swapped Lucian with Rafferty in a bid to get the lad on the scoresheet for the first time ever (?). And it paid off: the ball came to him wide on the right and he hit it hard and true. 11-1..

Man of the Match was awarded not to the player with the most goals but to the player who embodied the style of play the coaches have been trying to instill in the players. Toby did score this week, but it was his calmness on the ball, he willingness to chase back and work for his teammates, and, above all, his passing that made him a unanimous choice with the judges.

Athenlay (4) 11

Miles 4, Charlie 2, Oli, Toby, Seth, Lucian, Rafferty,

Teviot (0) 1