Oranges See Red

TPBCFC 1 v 5 London All Stars

Saturday 3 November


Another hard lesson for the oranges but will they begin to learn from their mistakes. Without Nick and Dan, they faced the talented attack of the all-stars. They wore yellow Brazil shirts and played with the same style. Decent attack, woeful defence! For the first time this season we had the luxury of three subs. Andrew Owen, for over sleeping in the previous match, Ferris Lindsay, due to make his debut, and Femi Oyeniran. Three other players starting the match made their debut; Chris Hawthorne, Tim Collier, and Arsan Aryanpour. Steve Speroni was still recovering from his ankle injury sustained from the week before, so club skipper John Helm went in goal.

Playing with a four-four-two formation the oranges got the game underway. Within thirty seconds the All-Stars had the ball in the oranges box which was well cleared by Tim. After a nervy start the oranges began to wake up and Arsan began some nice moves with Nat Field and Dwayne Mitchell down the left. Arsan got the ball back and struck a sweet pass to Calvin Lindsay, who was upended by a defender. A free kick in a really decent position was played in by Calvin and Samuel Balogun leaped highest flicking the ball over the on-rushing goalie. Chris came charging in and looked like he was going to score but the ball connected with his hand, before hitting the post. Then the skipper brilliantly saved a shot destined for the top corner, keeping the score level. A dipping shot hit from long-range was superbly tipped over the bar and the resulting corner was headed away by Chris.

The oranges again played some nice one-touch football in the middle of the park and the ball was sprayed to the right wing. The cross was controlled but Chris, who was upended in the box. The penalty was given to Arsan, who found the top left corner. For only the second time this season the oranges were leading but not for too long. Dwayne and Calvin both looked dangerous and Calvin’s pace tore the left back apart, playing a ball in Dwayne’s shot was well saved. Big Sam upfront then went through a Emile Heskey faze, winning everything in the air. Unfortunately one of his knock downs was picked up by their number 9 who played a ball to their right. The winger had too much time and easily played a ball over the top, which the striker finished, looping his shot over John. We went in at half time at one all.

Team talk at half time was just carry on but just get a bit tighter in the midfield, give more options and be quicker into the challenge. Andy came on for Tim, who was solid on his debut. For fifteen minutes we carried on playing the way we were. Calvin tried a clever free kick and that was the only sight on goal in that fifteen minutes. Around the hour a corner kick was played in looking to go straight into the top corner but a big centre back bundled the ball in along with John and Dave. For various reasons we didn’t really heed the half time instructions after that goal. And so we were inevitably punished. Space opened up in the midfield and a through ball sent a pacey striker through and he finished well. Ferris Lindsay then came on for his debut replacing Chris Hawthorne.

Then the dramatics which over shadowed a fairly well behaved game. Calvin was tackled from behind and lashed out with his foot at the guilty player. He responded by raising his arms and grabbing Calvin around the neck. The Ref responded by booking the All-stars player and sending off Calvin, much to the dismay of Tollington Park, mainly big Steve on the sidelines. I heard many opinions given so I decided to research the correct decision as a matter of interest. Obviously this doesn’t change what happened. I really wanted to know the correct decision so I went on http://asktheref.com/default.asp. Chuck Fleischer, a semi pro ref said

“There must have been some time delay between the kicking out at and the grabbing of neck action. During that time the referee MUST get involved in the party. His action MUST be as loud as possible and this might have prevented the second phase of festivities. Not having acted promptly the referee dealt with things in order of happening as is the custom. He acted in accordance with his opinion regarding facts connected with play and his actions can not be questioned. He is right.”

If you wish to see my question and the three other responses go on the link above, click on fouls and misconduct down the left hand side, and scroll down to my question titled, Dave Hambridge from Hornchurch Essex asks…

After the incident we changed to three at the back with Eddie sitting in front of the back four. We didn’t have enough support and then the fourth goal went in. Ball played in, just evaded Dave’s head and the striker finished. By now heads had dropped and the ball started being carried by individuals. More than once players in good positions were ignored when they could have been played through with an easy pass. Dave four times blocked crosses in from the left but he couldn’t take on three All-stars. Whilst he was jockeying one the other timed his run well getting behind the defence. The cross was headed down and a sitter was smashed home by the number 9.

Final whistle went and TP jogged in for a team talk. Chris Hawthorne brilliantly pointed out that we needed to enjoy ourselves more, which is harder in defeat. But the reason we are playing is for God’s glory which means we should be enjoying ourselves even in defeat. A very tough lesson for TP and hopefully we will learn. Having said that All-stars did finish fifth last year! Next few games will be with teams around us.

Statistics:Man of the match: No one really stood out but both Chris Hawthorne and Arsan Aryanpour were the pick of the lot.

Team: John Helm (c), Tim Collier, Ian Howard, David Hambridge, Chris Hawthorne, Eddie Campbell, Arsan Aryanpour, Samuel Balogun, Nathaniel Field, Dwayne Mitchell, Calvin Lindsay

Crowd: a few of us - Natalie, Keziah, Sonia, Chris’ wife and kids and Nat’s Dad

Conditions: Sunny, Warm

writer: David Hambridge