Mid Season Report 2005/06 (end December 2005)
This
season started with promise for all of the senior sides. The 1s, 2s and 3s
all achieved mid-table respectability last year and were looking to push
on. The 4s and 5s were hoping to see some stability after the uncertainty
of the SAL regional reorganisation.
The first team, under the
continued leadership of Richard Taylor, have had an up and down season.
Three wins in their first four games boded well for the season ahead,
however recent form has been poor with just one win in the months of
November and December. However many of the defeats have been in cup
competitions against strong opposition and the 1s will be looking to push
on in the league hoping to avoid a relegation battle. Goals have been hard
to come by but Rohan Churm has managed to notch seven goals so far.
The second team are experiencing their sixth consecutive season in the SAL Intermediate Section Division 2 but with only one league win to their name look to have a relegation battle ahead. A good cup win against Old Salopians aside the 2s have struggled. The return to fitness of top scorer Dave Samuels will hopefully inspire the 2s to more success in the New Year. A 3-0 win against second in the table HSBC shows the potential of the side and captain Steve Pisano will be hoping for more luck in 2006.
The third team are also in their sixth consecutive season in Division 2 of their section of the SAL. The first half of the season for the threes has in itself been a season of two halves. They had a storming start to the season, at one point going on a run of six wins from seven games including a 5-0 hammering of Old Esthameians and culminating in an incredible 7-5 victory after extra time over Kew in the SAL cup, helped by the goalscoring form of Jamie Holohan. However 2005 finished with five defeats in a row for the team still captained by Ayyaz Ishaque. He will no doubt be hoping that 2006 starts off in the same way as the early part of the season.
The fourth team are enjoying a fantastic league campaign and sit comfortably top of the Saturday Side intra-Bank team comparison. A record of 7 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat have put the fours in a position where they should gain promotion and can put in a realistic challenge for the league title. Captain Rob Wood in his first season in the position seems to have put a strong squad together helped by 11 goals from top scorer Kenny Turnbull. The highlight of the season so far has been a 7-1 win over Old Lats. The 4s look the best bet for some silverware to be on display at the Annual Dinner this season so good luck to them.
For the fifth team the new season started full of hope, as new captain Alan Thompson took charge. There were some good early results including 6-0 and 6-1 victories. However it has been an up and down season with the fives also experiencing a 6-1 defeat leaving them mid-table at Christmas. Nevertheless, this has been the best season for the fives since a Raoul de Bunsen was young, and a Ford Cortina was thought to be cool. The fine young talent of top scorer Sean Palmer and Thomas Gallard strengthened the team, while the old hands of John Berry and Raoul De Bunsen provided the backbone of the side with the able assistance of the Head of Market Services, Alastair Wilson.
The Vets are
probably having their best season to date with a storming campaign. The
highlights have been a 10-0 win over Old Actonians and an 11-0 victory against Grafton. The
only blemish so far has been a narrow 2-1 defeat against Polytechnic.
Captains Mike Harris and Terry Benson will be hoping for more of the
same after Christmas and will be looking to Mike to add to his incredible
15 goal tally.
Also the BOEAFC committee would like to take this
opportunity to thank John MacDonagh who has left
his position as club coach. The first team have enjoyed a great deal of
success with John including promotion to Division 2 and cup final
victories in the LFFA Cup. We wish John all the best for the future and we
look forward to seeing him down the club for many Saturdays to come in a
playing role.
There are
many events to look forward to over the second half of the season
including the Central Bank Tour to
The current top scorer for the Bank is Mike Harris of the Vets with 15 goals, with Kenny Turnbull leading the way from the Saturday sides with 11 goals for the Fourth XI. The 1s and 4s currently have the best defensive records so well done to their keepers Cheets and Coulson.
All that remains to say is good luck to all for the rest of the season and Happy New Year!