





|
Economicals 2nds
|
Date |
L/C |
H/A |
Opposition |
Result |
Scorers |
|
15/09/07 |
C |
H |
Kew II |
2-3 |
James C, Stanners |
|
22/09/07 |
L |
H |
Guildford
II |
6-0 |
Bainsy (2), Harry
(2), Cooke, Drew |
|
06/10/07 |
C |
A |
Old
Oundelians |
6-0 |
Cyril (3), Cooke,
Gaz, og |
|
13/10/07 |
L |
A |
Guildford
II |
3-1 |
Gaz (2), Harry |
|
20/10/07 |
L |
H |
Sinjuns
OG III |
1-0 |
Stanners |
|
27/10/07 |
L |
A |
Marsh |
1-4 |
James C |
|
03/11/07 |
L |
A |
Witan II |
4-1 |
Drew, Stanners,
Cooke, og |
|
10/11/07 |
C |
A |
Glyn OB
III |
4-0 |
Stanners, James,
Alex,
Cooke |
|
17/11/07 |
L |
A |
Old Tiffs
II |
0-0 |
|
|
24/11/07 |
L |
H |
Wokingians II |
4-1 |
Harry, Will, Gav
(pen),
Cooke |
|
01/12/07 |
L |
A |
Dorkingians II |
2-2 |
Drew, James C |
|
15/12/07 |
L |
A |
Suttonians IV |
0-1 |
|
| 05/01/08 |
L |
A |
Sinjuns
OG III |
0-3 |
|
| 26/01/08 |
L |
H |
Dorkingians II |
0-3 |
Drew, Gav, Gaz |
| 09/02/08 |
C |
H |
Mill Hill
Vill. II |
3-2 |
Bainsy (3) |
| 16/02/08 |
C |
A |
Camdenians II |
2-6 |
Ricky (2) |
| 23/02/08 |
L |
A |
Clapham
OX IV |
6-4 |
Bainsy (3), Ricky,
James, JK |
| 01/03/08 |
L |
H |
Old Tiffs
II |
3-3 |
Drew, Healy, Gav |
| 08/03/08 |
L |
H |
Clapham
OX IV |
2-1 |
Drew, Bainsy |
| 15/03/08 |
L |
H |
Marsh |
3-3 |
Bainsy 2, Billy |
| 29/03/08 |
L |
A |
Wokingians II |
2-5 |
Sam, Healy |
| 05/04/08 |
L |
H |
Suttonians IV |
2-0 |
Drew, Cooke |
| 12/04/08 |
L |
H |
Witan II |
4-1 |
Bainsy 3, Drew |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15/09/07 |
Team |
☻ |
|
|
Economicals II 2 Kew
Association II 3 |
| 1 |
Alex
Simcox |
|
The new-look Economicals second
team kicked off the season with
a tricky cup tie at home to Kew.
On a hot, sunny, stamina-sapping
day, the Comics were somewhat
bemused to discover that Kew had
decided to field an experimental
side, namely their Under
18s. Right from the off it was
clear that we were going to
spend much of the afternoon
endlessly chasing small boys
across the park, which
incidentally was to be the basis
of a Chris Langham sketch and
one that he researched
assiduously. First blood was
however drawn by the Comics when
James neatly dabbed home.
Unfortunately injuries meant
that the Comics were forced to
make both substitutions early
on, the second of which
saw Captain Kavanagh withdrawn with
concussion following a
nasty bump to his head, adding
new meaning to the phrase
"another forgettable Drew
performance". The second half
began in a similar fashion to
the first with Comics busily
chasing shadows across the
field, none more so than in the
middle of midfield from where
"The Beast" was heard to
complain that he couldn't get
close enough to kick them. Soon
after Comics were made to pay
for the lack of a specialist
goalkeeper when Al, who
otherwise performed admirably,
fumbled to allow a Kew equaliser.
With the home side beginning to
tire and the scores deadlocked,
Comics began to fear the
prospect of extra time.
Fortunately for all involved,
Rossi stepped up to the plate
and gifted the opposition two
goals to effectively end the
contest. The first down to lazy
marking and the second via his
trademark calm, perfectly
weighted pass to the feet of the
on-rushing attacker. However,
there was still time for
Stanners to play a one-two off
the opposition keeper for a late
consolation, whereby he refused
to fetch the ball from the
net on the grounds that the team
should be celebrating his
individual achievement. Perhaps on
another day we might have
prevailed, but in truth Kew were
fitter, sharper and played the
better football. Still the
league season begins next week
and team left Berrylands in high
spirits following the
announcement, not of a major
transfer coup in the signing of
one Dave Bains, but due to the
fact that Gav can't play next
week.
|
| 2 |
Simon
Rowlands |
|
| 3 |
Gav
Russell |
|
| 4 |
Gaz
Russell |
|
| 5 |
Ross
Harkness |
|
| 6 |
Tom
Stansfield |
☻ |
| 7 |
Drew
Barrand |
|
| 8 |
Paul
Taylor |
|
| 9 |
Paul
Beaton |
|
| 10 |
James
Collyer |
☻ |
| 11 |
Dennis
Nelson |
|
| 12 |
Harry
Stoakes |
|
| 13 |
Patrick |
|
|
22/09/07 |
Team |
☻ |
|
|
Economicals II
6 Old Guildfordians II 0 |
| 1 |
Nick
Demetriou |
|
Champagne football. This is how football
should be played. Buoyed by some
promising pre-season form, Comics gave
the opposition a lesson in passing
football in a totally one-sided opening
game. A strong squad meant that the hype
surrounding summer signing Bainsy was
put on the back burner as the lethal
striker began his career with the
‘Northerners’ on the bench. Right from
the kick-off, Comics were into their
stride, led by an impressive performance
from James, who gave a textbook lesson
in how to lead the line. Within the
first 10 minutes, Comics should have
been a couple of goals to the good as
first Captain Kavanagh was punched in
the face in the box – a blatant
Tyson-like assault that somehow the ref
missed – and then James narrowly missed
the target. The floodgates soon opened –
a cheeky header from Kav was quickly
followed by a headed goal from Harry as
the Comics turned their possession into
goals. Not even injuries to Drew and
Simon could halt the one-sided nature of
the game – somewhat predictably the loss
of the skipper to a six-week injury
lay-off proving to be more a blessing
than a curse. Bainsy arrived on the
pitch and gave an indication of what the
future may hold as he completely
bamboozled the oppo defence to square
for Harry who finished with aplomb for
his second of the game. The second half
was a walkover as Bainsy scored twice
and Cookie got his first of the season
to indicate the Comics’ strength in
depth up front. We could even cope with
playing with 10 men as Will was allowed
to hobble off injured despite Stanners
desperately claiming that his own injury
was life-threatening. Hopes are high for
a title challenge…could this be the year
for silverware?
|
| 2 |
Simon
Rowlands |
|
| 3 |
Will
Taylor |
|
| 4 |
Gaz
Russell |
|
| 5 |
Ross
Harkness |
|
| 6 |
Tom
Stansfield |
|
| 7 |
Drew
Barrand |
☻ |
| 8 |
Paul
Taylor |
|
| 9 |
Dave
Tanner |
|
| 10 |
James
Collyer |
|
| 11 |
Harry
Stoakes |
☻2 |
| 12 |
Neil
Cooke |
☻ |
| 13 |
Dave
Bains |
☻2 |
| 14 |
Craig
Harris |
|
|
06/10/07 |
Team |
☻ |
|
|
Old Oundelians 0 Economicals II
6 |
| 1 |
Pete
Wright |
|
Another week, another 6-0
hammering. The loss of the
skipper, both squad goalkeepers,
the record summer signing, and
two pivotal defenders – well, Si
and Ross – couldn’t stop the
Comics from another impressive
performance and through to the
next round of the LOB Cup.
Bizarrely this season has seen
the Comics become the set-piece
kings, with Gaz Russell’s rosy
forehead consistently getting to
the ball first – if only he
could direct his header anywhere
near the goal this could have
been double figures. It took a
bizarre own goal to initially
turn the Comics superiority into
points as Gav Russell fooled the
opposition keeper and himself
with a ricochet strike
reminiscent of a pinball
machine. Despite his claims of a
‘pure strike’, the second-best
left foot in the Amateur
Football Combination could not
sway the judging panel who
roundly labelled it an own goal.
In the second half the Comics
continued to pour forward and
the award of a clear penalty
should have allowed Gaz to put
the game beyond doubt – sadly
his feet are as bad as his head
with their directional compass
as an appalling penalty smacked
against the right hand post. A
corner enabled Gaz to spare his
blushes and finally get on the
scoresheet but in truth one goal
from at least a dozen clear
chances is not the sort of
return you’d look for.
Substitute Cyril’s Gallic flair
ensured that the result was
never in doubt – a swift second
half hat-trick perhaps just
enough for the squad to forget
the inordinate amount of time he
took to actually put his boots
on. Cookie rounded off a solid
all-round display with the sixth
goal – the sex pest clearly
translating his habit of scoring
cheap goals in easy wins from
Saturday night to Saturday
afternoon. Pub time and cue the
bragging that we can go through
the season unbeaten. Waving the
Aussies out of the pub after
rugby defeat further added to
the swagger and bravado with
which the Comics so about their
business. Arrogance? Surely not…
|
| 2 |
Alex
Simcox |
|
| 3 |
Will
Taylor |
|
| 4 |
Gaz
Russell |
☻ |
| 5 |
Craig
Harris |
|
| 6 |
Tom
Stansfield |
|
| 7 |
Paul
Beaton |
|
| 8 |
Paul
Taylor |
|
| 9 |
Gav
Russell |
|
| 10 |
Neil
Cooke |
☻ |
| 11 |
Harry
Stoakes |
|
| 12 |
Mike
Nelson |
|
| 13 |
Cyril
Alvarez-Pereyre |
☻3 |
|
13/10/07 |
Team |
☻ |
|
|
Old Guildfordians II 1
Economicals II 3 |
| 1 |
Nick
Demetriou |
|
The eccentricities of the
fixture generating machine meant
that Comics' second league game
of the season saw them travel to
Guildford, their opponents from
the opening day. Having drubbed
the opposition 6-0 last time it
was always going to be difficult
to avoid complacency, and
judging by the opening half
hour, complacency was the least
of our problems. Poor passing,
decision making and an overall
lack of appetite meant that
Guildford looked the stronger
outfit even if they were unable
to produce a decent opening. As
is now worryingly becoming the
norm for the Seconds, injuries
meant two substitutions were
required early on with 'The
Beast', who looked anything but,
retiring after 10 minutes and
Stanners feigning injury soon
after to avoid the shame of
being withdrawn on merit in
front of his watching father.
However, the injuries proved a
blessing in disguise as Harry
was moved into the middle of
midfield and Bainsy came on up
top. In a scrappy game Harry was
able to stamp his authority and
went on to produce a man of the
match display. Bainsy looked
lively and if he manages to
score as many goals this season
as the number of times that he
is caught offside he'll prove a
fine acquisition.
The Comics are fast becoming a
team most potent from set-pieces
and the combination of one
red-faced twin providing and the
other red-faced twin finishing
meant that the Comics went in at
half-time 2-0 up very much
against the run of play. The
second half saw an improvement
in performance but the seconds
never reached the standards they
attained in the previous
meeting. However, a third goal
was added when Bainsy received
the ball from a throw in,
turned the defender in a manner
that reminded some spectators of
that forgotten "star" striker
Gloria Hunniford and provided
the cross for Harry to finish.
Guildford managed a deserved
consolation late on, following
some poor Comics defending, and
the only other notable incident
was provided by Rossi, who
managed to throw up twice during
the second 45. An
interesting method of trying to
win his starting berth back
following a holiday, that many
believe began mid-way through
last season. Still, three points
in the bag but the Litmus test
will be next Saturday
when superior
opposition should give us a
better idea of where we stand.
|
| 2 |
Will
Taylor |
|
| 3 |
Craig
Harris |
|
| 4 |
Gaz
Russell |
☻2 |
| 5 |
Alex
Simcox |
|
| 6 |
Tom
Stansfield |
|
| 7 |
Paul
Beaton |
|
| 8 |
Paul
Taylor |
|
| 9 |
Gav
Russell |
|
| 10 |
Neil
Cooke |
|
| 11 |
Harry
Stoakes |
☻ |
| 12 |
Ross
Harkness |
|
| 13 |
Dave
Bains |
|
| 14 |
Simon
Rowlands |
|
|
20/10/07 |
Team |
☻ |
|
|
Economicals II 1 Sinjuns OG
III 0 |
| 1 |
Nick
Demetriou |
|
"Sure I am this
day we are
masters of our
fate, that the
task which has
been set before
us is not above
our strength;
that its pangs
and toils are
not beyond our
endurance. As
long as we have
faith in our own
cause and an
unconquerable
will to win,
victory will not
be denied us."
Although Winston
Churchill may
not have been
directly
referring to
winning
the Amateur
Football
Combination Division
3 (South) league
title, it is
this same
bulldog belief
and
determination
that is
transforming
this Comics side
from perennial
underachievers
into genuine
title
contenders.
Indeed, so well
is Paul
Taylor carrying
out his role of
caretaker
captain, that it
is not foolhardy
to compare his
rapid promotion
to that of the
great Mr
Churchill himself,
becoming Prime
Minister in
1940. While he
might not
be consistently
churning out
those slightly
above mediocre
performances on
the pitch that
saw him voted
player of the
season last
year, his
evolution off
the pitch into a
great leader and
master tactician
is almost
complete. It was
Taylor's
decision to turn
Stanners into an
emergency
striker that
proved the
masterstroke
that sealed the
game in Comics
favour. Not
only did Stanners
coolly slot
home the only
goal of the
game, but the
Comics were able
to play with far
better shape due
to not having
the handicap of
a
right-sided midfielder
constantly out
of position.
The game itself
was highly
competitive and
always tense
with Sinjuns
proving to be a
strong, well
organised,
footballing
side. Last
season the end
result might
have seen a
Comics loss but
this year the
side is playing
with greater
desire, has
learnt to shout
things like 'man
on' and 'time'
and has
developed,
whisper it
quietly, a
winning
mentality. Right
across the pitch
the side battled
superbly,
notably Ross,
who has gone
some way to
answer recent
criticism, and
Nick the Greek,
who picked up
the man of the
match award for
an assured
performance
between the
sticks. So,
three wins in
three for the
table-topping
Second team. Can
the run
continue? Will
Captain Kavanagh
dare to pick
himself now he
is fit? Will Gaz
decided to kick
any more dogs?
Find out next
week.
|
| 2 |
Will
Taylor |
|
| 3 |
Craig
Harris |
|
| 4 |
Gaz
Russell |
|
| 5 |
Simon
Rowlands |
|
| 6 |
Tom
Stansfield |
☻ |
| 7 |
Ross
Harkness |
|
| 8 |
Paul
Taylor |
|
| 9 |
Gav
Russell |
|
| 10 |
James
Collyer |
|
| 11 |
Harry
Stoakes |
|
| 12 |
Dave
Tanner |
|
|
27/10/07 |
Team |
☻ |
|
|
Marsh 4 Economicals II 1 |
| 1 |
Nick
Demetriou |
|
Saturday saw the less-than-eagerly-awaited return of Captain Kavanagh from injury as the Comics were forced to reshuffle the pack that had been performing so admirably in his absence. With Harry and the Russell twins away there was enough room to accommodate returns for Drew himself, Dennis (following a sabbatical in non-league football) and also 'The Beast', who returned from a self-imposed exile following the publication of a less-than-flattering photo of a past conquest. The image ending any further debate among the team as to the origin of the moniker 'The Beast'. The top of the table clash against a strong Marsh team was always going to be extremely tough and the situation was exacerbated by the failure of the league-appointed ref to turn up. When you pay a bloke in the car park £10 to ref the game something tells you that there might be a few dodgy decisions. Still the game started like so many others this season with Stanners departing injured in the opening five minutes. The opening 20 minutes saw the Comics play some of their worst football of the season. They were unable to find a black and white shirt with the ball, didn't track their runners and were generally second best in all aspects of the game. That they found themselves only two nil down was mainly down to luck, some poor finishing from Marsh and the odd bit of good goalkeeping from Nick. Finally the Comics began to play and were a tad unfortunate to not pull one back after a fine effort from Bainsy that was superbly saved by the Marsh keeper. A second good chance was wasted, this time by Dennis with his first touch of the game following an injury to Tanner. This second substitution meaning that 57% of Comics substitutions this season have been made in the first 45 minutes. With Comics now looking comfortable, albeit 2-0 down, disaster struck on the stroke of half-time. A free kick was swung across and following Nick's fumble Simon calmly watched as his man ran forward to slot home into the empty net. A heated half-time inquest was followed by a marked improvement in the Comics performance although the contest was decided after a particularly dubious penalty was awarded to Marsh. James managed to pull back a deserved consolation goal for the Comics and there might have been more, most notably through an audacious attempt by 'The Beast' who was otherwise again below par. So the Comics slip from the top of the table but can’t have too much to complain about as they were simply beaten by a superior side on the day. All that was left was for the team to agree on the train ride home that losing Gaz and Harry for such a big game was unfortunate, but as for Gav? We weren't that bad.
|
| 2 |
Will
Taylor |
|
| 3 |
Craig
Harris |
|
| 4 |
Paul
Beaton |
|
| 5 |
Simon
Rowlands |
|
| 6 |
Tom
Stansfield |
|
| 7 |
Ross
Harkness |
|
| 8 |
Paul
Taylor |
|
| 9 |
Dave
Bains |
|
| 10 |
James
Collyer |
☻ |
| 11 |
Dave
Tanner |
|
| 12 |
Drew
Barrand |
|
| 13 |
Dennis
Nelson |
|
| 14 |
Andy |
|
|
03/11/07 |
Team |
☻ |
|
|
Witan II 2 Economicals II 4 |
| 1 |
Nick
Demetriou |
|
The machine clicked back into gear with the return of key players – in ascending order – Cookie, Gaz and Gav. After last week’s embarrassment, the Comics were determined to get back to winning ways – which is exactly what they did. A fantastic opening goal by Drew, which according to the opening scorer, ‘had a touch of Bergkamp against Newcastle’ (read – lucky spinning ball and cool finish) put the Comics 1-0 up. Our outgoing captain (via retirement or coup d'état) subsequently celebrated with a nose dive into the pitch that was meant to be Klinsmann but was more Flight 93. A ridiculous head burn – similar to the one he got as a young man in a gay fetish club in Vauxhall – was his reward. After the goal Drew returned to his usual tired performance and was replaced by Tommy S at half time – another member of the Northern Mafia who ‘apparently’ had been released by Rafa’s Liverpool to aid our quest (the reality being a run-fatboy-run who chased shadows and rubbed his nipples when no one was watching). The game was tightly contested in the first half with the mighty Comics relying on our trademarked ‘steely banks of 4’ formation to grind the opposition into submission (other than last week’s aberration). This paid dividends when, just before half-time, a destined Gav Russell free kick, deflected off the wall, smacked the post, which Stanners dived on to make it 2-0.
Half time came, the Comics were 2-0 up, and the second half descended into the usual rubbishy Beazer Homes conference football (more reminiscent of Fulham across the river) than Drew’s Black and White Army. A mistake by Greek (rushing off the line Calamity style), and a mistake by Alex saw the inferior Witans (aided by one of the player’s fathers performing refereeing duties in between bouts of Witan-cock sucking) score two undeserved goals in the second half, while an o.g and a stunner by Cookie (side footing from the edge of the area into the top right hand corner), ensured that the Comics ran out comfortable winners.
|
| 2 |
Ross Harkness |
|
| 3 |
Gav
Russell |
|
| 4 |
Alex
Simcox |
|
| 5 |
Simon
Rowlands |
|
| 6 |
Tom
Stansfield |
☻ |
| 7 |
Gaz
Russell |
|
| 8 |
Paul
Taylor |
|
| 9 |
Neil
Cooke |
☻ |
| 10 |
James
Collyer |
|
| 11 |
Drew
Barrand |
☻ |
| 12 |
Tommy S |
|
| 13 |
Dennis
Nelson |
|
|
10/11/07 |
Team |
☻ |
|
|
Glyn OB III 0 Economicals II 4 |
| 1 |
Riccles |
|
A break from the league saw the Comics keep the travelling roadshow moving (will we ever return to the Fortress?) with a contest against the underclass with their bazzed up sh*tty cars and their Tina/Trisha/Sharon girlfriends. A comfortable win (although the opposition did blaze a penalty over the bar and hit the post four times) saw the bull-dozers of Cookie and James easily push their way past an ageing defence, and see the Comics into the last 16 of the Cup. Cookie was particularly impressive given that he turned up fully-cut and was bellowing at his own seedy sex jokes in the presence of innocent families and children on the train out to Pikesville (not the sort of middle class behaviour that is tolerated by the Economicals AFC). Ankle of Glass (JC) had a nasty tackle on his brittle bones, but subsequent weeks have shown that his Father shines down upon him (as He does us all) and ensured that our big target man will carry on regardless (and away with the Player of the Season award). A great opener by Stanners, two deserved goals by the Bulldozers, and a last minute diving header from a hamstrung Alex, posing as an emergency I-can’t-run-anywhere striker, ensured that we ran out the winners.
Other notable events? The long awaited debut of Greek as an outfield player. Let’s just say that giving away a blatant penalty in your opening 10 seconds doesn’t bode well for your chances of remaining in the outfield (although subsequent performances have suggested that first impressions can indeed be misleading). The week preceding this game also saw the sad retirement of Dennis from the Economicals (although he has subsequently discovered himself while playing and dancing with the boys of the Economical thirds). Tonight, we’re all off to a club in Vauxhall for the retirement party (one of Drew’s recommendations), apparently it’s just like a medieval playground – it has slings and everything.
|
| 2 |
Ross Harkness |
|
| 3 |
Gav
Russell |
|
| 4 |
Alex
Simcox |
☻ |
| 5 |
Simon
Rowlands |
|
| 6 |
Tom
Stansfield |
☻ |
| 7 |
Gaz
Russell |
|
| 8 |
Paul
Taylor |
|
| 9 |
Neil
Cooke |
☻ |
| 10 |
James
Collyer |
☻ |
| 11 |
Drew
Barrand |
|
| 12 |
Craig
Harris |
|
| 13 |
Nick
Demetriou |
|
|
17/11/07 |
Team |
☻ |
|
|
Old Tiffinians II 0 Economicals II
0 |
| 1 |
Riccles |
|
|
| 2 |
Ross Harkness |
|
| 3 |
Gav
Russell |
|
| 4 |
Alex
Simcox |
|
| 5 |
Simon
Rowlands |
|
| 6 |
Tom
Stansfield |
|
| 7 |
Gaz
Russell |
|
| 8 |
Paul
Taylor |
|
| 9 |
Neil
Cooke |
|
| 10 |
James
Collyer |
|
| 11 |
Drew
Barrand |
|
| 12 |
Craig
Harris |
|
| 13 |
Nick
Demetriou |
|
|
24/11/07 |
Team |
☻ |
|
|
Economicals II 4 Old
Wokingians II 1 |
| 1 |
Riccles |
|
After last week's drab draw, Drew’s Black and White Army turned out in force to get back to winning ways. It was the first time in the 07-08 season where Drew had to wield the axe to get down to 14 – apparently he couldn’t work out how to turn it on himself as Drew turned out and pushed himself to an unprecedented two consecutive weeks of 90 minutes. Not only that – he also managed to get laid on the past two consecutive Fridays. Is there life in the old Silver fox yet?
The Comics were simply too strong for the mid-table opposition. With The Anvil (Gaz) winning every header at the back and the Bulldozers applying the pressure upfront, the first half was closely contested with the Comics gifting the opposition a weak equaliser after Cookie had performed wonders to stretch out a leg and beat the advancing keeper after heading the ball through. The second half illustrated the benefit of strength in depth as Beast, Will and Rossi replaced Craig, Stanners and Si. This like-for-like substitution in terms of quality (with the exception of Si who is dog poo), and fresh legs against tiring opposition, provided the galvanising effect as the Comics simply pressed on the gas and turned over the opposition. A push in the penalty area resulted in a penalty which Gav coolly slotted home for an early second half 2-1 lead. Will he outlast his brother as the team’s penalty taker? Seems likely, given the hash that was made of the job by The Anvil, who really ought to stick to what he is good at – headbutting and bouts of tourettes.
The pressure mounted, with the Comics looking dangerous on all set pieces throughout the game, and two more goals duly flowed in. The first was an audacious attempt by Drew to head the ball in from 20 yards, which thankfully skewed to Will to nod home, while the fourth was a simple set piece – Corner from Gav, Header by Harry (this will be available on tee shirts at all good stockists in the Spring. With other results going our way at the weekend, the AFC Division 3 (South) league title is once more our own destiny.
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| 2 |
Nick
Demetriou |
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| 3 |
Gav
Russell |
☻ |
| 4 |
Craig
Harris |
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| 5 |
Simon
Rowlands |
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| 6 |
Tom
Stansfield |
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| 7 |
Gaz
Russell |
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| 8 |
Harry
Stoakes |
☻ |
| 9 |
Neil
Cooke |
☻ |
| 10 |
James
Collyer |
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| 11 |
Drew
Barrand |
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| 12 |
Will
Taylor |
☻ |
| 13 |
Ross Harkness |
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| 14 |
Paul
Beaton |
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01/12/07 |
Team |
☻ |
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Old Dorkingians II 2 Economicals II
2 |
| 1 |
Riccles |
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‘How is this a London league?!’ cried the battle-weary Economicals as they journeyed out of the Principal City, through England’s great pastures, past stars, moons and solar systems before arriving in the foreign world of Dorking; a quant parallel land of thatched roofs, dwarves and Care Bears. With the league waiting to be taken to task, the Economicals put in a mediocre performance with a particularly inadequate second half, which left them questioning their aspirations to win the title. A flurry of chances in the first half (that should have put the game beyond doubt) were squandered by Ankle of Glass and other protagonists, before Cook of No-teethery stretched one of his chicken legs - an accurate comparison when compared to his bloated body – to force the ball past their strangely-moustachioed keeper. 1-0 to the Comics. The Economicals continued to be in control throughout the first half, aided by the exit of He Who Shall Not Be Named who needed to call [THE FOLLOWING TEXT HAS BEEN REMOVED] about [THE FOLLOWING TEXT HAS BEEN REMOVED] and [THE FOLLOWING TEXT HAS BEEN REMOVED]. In the last minutes of the first half, the first of defensive set piece f*ck ups saw one of the Care Bears score unmarked from their first corner of the game. 1-1. Gaz, Rossi, Craig & Greek – you w*nkers.
The opposition obviously did a succession of care bear stares at half-time, starting the second half as the superior side, forcing the jittery Comics further and further back into their half. Another set-piece, again unmarked, saw the opposition go 2-1 up. Oh dear. Gaz, Rossi, Craig & Greek – ditto the comment above. However, the Comics’ fighting spirit told as they forced their way back into the game. Drew – having done his best Mr Invisible Man impression for much of the game – reminded everyone of his ability 30 years ago, with a turn and toe-peck into the bottom left hand corner for a just-about deserved equaliser. Then in the final minutes, a delightful Steed-esque foray down the right from the Hatchett left Ankle of Glass with a one on one which he proceeded to blast down the keepers neck when anything else would have a resulted in a very fortunate 3-2 away victory. Can he really throw away Man of the Season at this late juncture? Some fool who threw himself on the tracks on the way home, a few ales in some horrid town on the way back to London, a lot of vodka, and some sausage and mash in the Swan at 5am rounded off a rather disappointing day. Roll on next week.
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| 2 |
Nick
Demetriou |
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| 3 |
Gaz
Russell |
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| 4 |
Craig
Harris |
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| 5 |
Ross
Harkness |
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| 6 |
Tom
Stansfield |
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| 7 |
Gav
Russell |
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| 8 |
Harry
Stoakes |
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| 9 |
Neil
Cooke |
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| 10 |
James
Collyer |
☻ |
| 11 |
Drew
Barrand |
☻ |
| 12 |
Will
Taylor |
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| 13 |
Paul
Taylor |
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| 14 |
Paul
Beaton |
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15/12/07 |
Team |
☻ |
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Old Suttonians IV 0 Economicals II
0 |
| 1 |
Riccles |
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A cancelled game on the 8th meant our final game pre-Christmas should have been an easy away win against mid-table opposition, followed by our Xmas hat party and all round good natured tomfoolery. This proved not to be the case. The above scoreline does not lie. In fact it tells very little. A more accurate description would be a series of questions:
1) how did Alex Simcox (having put in an otherwise stella performance) manage to be skinned by their Jabba the Hut striker?
2) how did Craig – swinging his misaligned legs in all directions – manage to deflect the ball past Riccles?
3) how did Alex still get awarded man of the match?
I don’t even want to write this report I’m that disappointed. For the first time this season players were praying to get off at half time because of the sheer mediocrity of the game. They had one chance, scored and won. We had about 7 shots, didn’t force a save, and lost. The game was only note-worthy because of Beasts transition from worst player in the first half to best player in the second half (if only he could now learn to keep the ball down), and Healy’s welcome return to the fold after his 6 month sabbatical to Basra, now looking like a deflated Gordon Ramsey, covered in Alsatian poo, and then left to bake in the sun for 7 and a half days. His deft touches, if passed down to the Bulldozers, may assist us in picking up some much needed points in the final run in to the season.
Having trudged off the pitch, we locked our disappointment away, and proceeded onto our Xmas Hat party around the choice venues of Balham. All squad members were present and correct except one, who knows who he is and ought to be ashamed, and a damn fine night was had by all. Particularly praise must go to DT and his melon head, and Simon; who managed to look like a 50 year old woman / Papa Lazarus dressed in drag. ‘You’re my wife now Dave’. Now did Simon say that or was that Lindsay C? I can see her now, greased up dildo in hand, ‘oh Dave… say hello to my little friend’…. ‘oh, shucks, hi, do be careful with my sensitive side’.
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| 2 |
Simon
Rowlands |
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| 3 |
Gav
Russell |
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| 4 |
Paul
Taylor |
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| 5 |
Alex
Sincox |
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| 6 |
Will
Taylor |
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| 7 |
Gaz
Russell |
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| 8 |
Harry
Stoakes |
☻ |
| 9 |
Neil
Cooke |
☻ |
| 10 |
Paul
Beaton |
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| 11 |
Drew
Barrand |
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| 12 |
Craig
Harris |
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| 13 |
Dave
Tanner |
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| 14 |
Jez
Healy |
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