Camberwell 7 v 1 TPBCFC
Saturday 22 September 2007: Wanstead Flats
Two weeks is a long time in football. By the time the team (or was this a new team?) reconvened after a two week break, Jose had by then long hung up his special boots. Who would have guessed? Whether it was this, or the fact that the NELECL now contrived to throw the best they
had to offer at the league’s new boys, the Oranges were taught a footballing lesson. In fact, a simple lesson from the old, old school: pass and move.
Were it not for an outstanding game in goal by Steve Speroni (sporting two very red, nay, bloody knees by the end), coupled with much wayward shooting (seemingly designed to break the back of the net at every opportunity), the toll may have been heavier. Camberwell were going for the spectacular, but it would be fair to say did not quite achieve it. And the Oranges kept going, and there was some semblance of equality during the second half. After Dwayne scored, at 5-1, Camberwell appeared rattled.
Lee, switching flanks, had a torrid time at the hands of the league’s quickest winger (save Calvin, of course!). Even doubling up on this speed merchant seemed to serve little purpose. Aaron tried manfully to find the killer pass; when he could not, he looked for the killer dribble, and never returned. Eddie the Enforcer limped off towards the end of the first half in order to complete the sermon which he had not completed two weeks previously. John stooped lower and lower, convinced if the ball was there, or anywhere, it could be headed. Natalie, yet again denied the chance of making her
debut, got as close to the action as we dared let her, and played a blinder as physio. Dwayne, this week’s late train specialist, made up for it with a special strike from 20 yards.
The best man on the pitch was undoubtedly Igor, the referee. Was he really an Italian sporting a Russian name? OK, he gave a direct free kick for the keeper (allegedly) overstepping his area. OK, he gave a penalty for Ian Howard (allegedly) mistiming a tackle to perfection. OK he gave a goal which (probably) went through the side netting. But credit where credit’s due - he did spend time trying hard to explain the seemingly inexplicable when he disallowed an 8th goal and saved us from complete ignominy. We trusted him on that one, of course we did, but explanations on a postcard please!
What were the positives? Corner after corner after corner were all well defended, so too were all set pieces. Calvin always posed a threat with his pace. At half time, we did well to brave a 0-4 smile for the camera.
In the end it was "3 Cheers for Camberwell", but there were none for the opposition, as they did not seem to know who we were. Hmm. Of course they will be sure to know the next time. We'll be sure of that!
At the end we were all left to ponder the big question: would it be Jose for Ian?
Statistics
Team: Lee Blakemore, John Helm, Ian Howard, Aaron Campbell, Eddie Campbell, Nick Speroni, Calvin Lindsay, Samuel Balogun, David Hambridge, Eddie Campbell (Nathanael Field 35 mins), Steve Speroni
Man of Match: Steve Speroni
Saturday 22 September 2007: Wanstead Flats
Two weeks is a long time in football. By the time the team (or was this a new team?) reconvened after a two week break, Jose had by then long hung up his special boots. Who would have guessed? Whether it was this, or the fact that the NELECL now contrived to throw the best they
had to offer at the league’s new boys, the Oranges were taught a footballing lesson. In fact, a simple lesson from the old, old school: pass and move.Were it not for an outstanding game in goal by Steve Speroni (sporting two very red, nay, bloody knees by the end), coupled with much wayward shooting (seemingly designed to break the back of the net at every opportunity), the toll may have been heavier. Camberwell were going for the spectacular, but it would be fair to say did not quite achieve it. And the Oranges kept going, and there was some semblance of equality during the second half. After Dwayne scored, at 5-1, Camberwell appeared rattled.
Lee, switching flanks, had a torrid time at the hands of the league’s quickest winger (save Calvin, of course!). Even doubling up on this speed merchant seemed to serve little purpose. Aaron tried manfully to find the killer pass; when he could not, he looked for the killer dribble, and never returned. Eddie the Enforcer limped off towards the end of the first half in order to complete the sermon which he had not completed two weeks previously. John stooped lower and lower, convinced if the ball was there, or anywhere, it could be headed. Natalie, yet again denied the chance of making her
debut, got as close to the action as we dared let her, and played a blinder as physio. Dwayne, this week’s late train specialist, made up for it with a special strike from 20 yards.The best man on the pitch was undoubtedly Igor, the referee. Was he really an Italian sporting a Russian name? OK, he gave a direct free kick for the keeper (allegedly) overstepping his area. OK, he gave a penalty for Ian Howard (allegedly) mistiming a tackle to perfection. OK he gave a goal which (probably) went through the side netting. But credit where credit’s due - he did spend time trying hard to explain the seemingly inexplicable when he disallowed an 8th goal and saved us from complete ignominy. We trusted him on that one, of course we did, but explanations on a postcard please!
What were the positives? Corner after corner after corner were all well defended, so too were all set pieces. Calvin always posed a threat with his pace. At half time, we did well to brave a 0-4 smile for the camera.
In the end it was "3 Cheers for Camberwell", but there were none for the opposition, as they did not seem to know who we were. Hmm. Of course they will be sure to know the next time. We'll be sure of that!
At the end we were all left to ponder the big question: would it be Jose for Ian?
Statistics
Team: Lee Blakemore, John Helm, Ian Howard, Aaron Campbell, Eddie Campbell, Nick Speroni, Calvin Lindsay, Samuel Balogun, David Hambridge, Eddie Campbell (Nathanael Field 35 mins), Steve Speroni
Man of Match: Steve Speroni
Attendance: 3 – Sonia, Natalie, Moses.
Physio: Natalie
Conditions: still, 20 degrees, hard under foot, blisters.
PS Natalie assures me the action photos will improve, along with the team.
Physio: Natalie
Conditions: still, 20 degrees, hard under foot, blisters.
PS Natalie assures me the action photos will improve, along with the team.
Writer: John
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