HISTORY INDEX

2006 / 2007 Season Match Reports

Index of dates.
Reports listed by w/b Saturdays.

w/b 28/04/07
w/b 21/04/07
w/b 14/04/07
w/b 07/04/07
w/b 31/03/07
w/b 24/03/07
w/b 17/03/07
w/b 10/03/07
w/b 24/02/07
w/b 17/02/07
w/b 03/02/07
w/b 27/01/07
w/b 13/01/07
w/b 06/01/07
w/b 16/12/06
w/b 09/12/06
w/b 02/12/06
w/b 18/11/06
w/b 18/11/06
w/b 11/11/06
w/b 04/11/06
w/b 28/10/06
w/b 21/10/06
w/b 14/10/06
w/b 07/10/06
w/b 30/09/06
w/b 23/09/06
w/b 16/09/06


Tuesday 24th April 2007

BoE 4s 2 - 1 AOBs 4s
So. Another game, another victory. No mean feat against on Records Office against a younger team of promotion hopefuls who had a decent mix of physical and tricky players. Alleyns started brightly, moving the ball about well and looking dangerous, though without ever creating any decent shooting opportunities. However, we scored first after Rob(?) was hacked down as the oppo tried to clear from a corner. Ronnie stepped up for the pen and gave the keeper no chance. For the rest of the half and virtually the entire second half Alleyns had most of the possession and we consequently spent much of it defending. But that defence, which started at the front, was rock solid and Alleyns had few shooting opportunities: the better ones being restricted to tight angles. We continued to break though and Mike lashed the ball into the net on the hour after their keeper had saved from Ronnie. We had some further chances but couldn't convert. Late into the game Alleyns had a few corners and we rode our luck a bit as I flapped at a few of them (you won't find that sort of display in the goalkeeping manual) and, with a couple of minutes to go, they scored from a knock down from a free kick. However, it was too little, too late and we had our well deserved victory.

Many thanks again to everyone for turning out for us and for putting in maximum effort on a big pitch on a hot evening, even though we were now safe from relegation. Great commitment, great work rate. Man of the Match could have gone to pretty much anyone but, for me, Rob Wood edged it with a 10/10 performance, even shrugging off a knee-high tackle.
Giles Edwards

Saturday 21st April 2007

Lloyds 4s 0 - 1 BoE 4s
We went into the game with another season in the league seemingly in the bag but yet to be guaranteed. Lloyds, on the other hand, still had hopes for a late promotion charge. Plenty on it therefore.

The first half was fairly even: after some typically robust opening encounters from Lloyds, we gradually gained the balance of possession and, while never truly controlling the game, looked the most likely to score. However, we hadn't converted possession into chances and, with Lloyds coming back into it, the good work was nearly undone near the end of the half by a moment of hesitation at the back: fortunately their snap shot hit the post. Level at half-time.

We regained our momentum in the second half and ten minutes in, Andy Goodwin connected with a Mark Willsher corner with a looping header that finished in the top corner. But was there a final touch on it as it went in? Perhaps one for the dubious goals panel. Shortly afterwards Jerry flashed a shot wide from a tight angle and, while we continued to take the game to the oppo, there was always a chance that they would find a way through our robust defensive cover. They gained more traction and duly mustered a couple of decent shots, but we continued to press and their efforts were ultimately to no avail. The ref decided to end the game just as Cem had rounded the final defender and had only the keeper to beat; which he duly did. We all know the real scoreline. Giles Edwards

BoE 5s 1 - 1 Lloyds 8s
Which in a way encapsulated much of our season. In all our games we have strived to play good football, and we have energetic and keen young players to do so. Our passing game and teamwork seems to pay off on bigger pitches like Records Office, even though it seems like harder work it actually isn't if you make the ball do the running, (actually it is bloody hard work in defence, because the ball makes us do the running!) and so it was that we quickly took the lead, as a bustling and ever enthusiastic Alex Muscatelli arrived on the end of a well worked attack to shoot us into the lead. A deserved reward for his endeavours.

More chances came and went without us increasing our lead, or being unduly troubled at the other end despite the Lloyds forward line being composed of seven-foot giants we gradually started to win our fair share in the air, and trying to avoid the dreaded bounce on a hard pitch, and the confusion and chase that it usually involves.

So much so that their tallest forward (think Peter Crouch, but bigger and taller) had to use a blatant Maradonna hand swat to score from a free kick (for which he was duly booked) and that was the only time we were seriously troubled by half time.

Our missed chances were to haunt us again like much of the season, as even though we played with great sight and skill, aided greatly by the inclusion of Nick, and later, young Todd up front (Todd gave us a an extra level of speed and skill when legs where tiring, particularly theirs; and Nick was fantastic in Right Mid, and even after succumbing to a cut over the eye after a clash of heads, came back with a bandage (all been there, Nick!) and played well to the end. I hope both will be back with us next season.

And so the game, like so much of our season became one of missed chances and the odd defensive lapse. This time the ball spilled to a Lloyds midfielder who had the easiest of tap-ins.

But also like our season, we became stronger in the second half of it. Under the exhausting sun, as Lloyds retreated and wilted, so we attacked with spirit, determined for the winner that was not to be, not even with the many shots we had and corners we forced, and not even on my Birthday.

So 1-1 it had to be, but every single member of the Fives can look back with pride on this season. Learn from it for sure, but go into the next one with the confidence that we are actually a very good team, when we want to be, and the last few months prove that we do. Raoul DeBunsen

Tuesday 17th April 2007

BoEAFC 3XI 8 v 4 OWCs 3XI
Firstly, it has to be said that OWCs were not worth their four goals. Their first and second goals came from errors at the (ahem) back - and unlucky ones at that! By then, we had worked extremely hard to put five past them in the first half. We fielded an extremely balanced side and had, by now, all played together many times - so there was no excuse for not getting it right. We started very strongly and were rewarded when Browny scored the first two of his goals (apologies but I really can't remember how all the goals went in). Their keeper also, kindly, fluffed a drop kick which landed at Jamie's feet inside their area. Although he then went on a mazy run to dribble round the sand patches in their six yard box - but still converted the chance. Another nice finish from Browny who drove in well at the near post gave us a bit more daylight before Crimbo executed what he had been threatening from ko - a lovely shot over the keeper from at least 20yds. Score: 5-2 at half time.

Fair play to OWCs, they came out fighting in the second half and hit a fierce shot past Malcolm from 25yds to close the deficit. The game was still in the balance when the referee, who wasn't having the best of days at the office it must be said, bizarrely gave a drop ball. We allowed them to pass the ball back to our keeper but, instead, they decided to hit the ball straight into our net. The goal stood, handbags at high noon happened and then, at least, their coach had the sense to allow us a free-goal. Brown converted from the McShane throughball (restart). Ethie Pisano made a bright 3XI debut and almost finished from 20yds but the ball flew narrowly over (note to self: drop Pisano Jnr back down to lower sides). To be fair, he put in more of a performance than his old man who limped off after 30mins when he found out that there was free Horlicks in the bar. Ronnie finished well before Browny scored the worst goal I have seen all season to round of the day.
Dean McShane

Tuesday 10th/ Wednesday 11th April 2007

BoEAFC 4XI 4 v 3 Alleyn Old Boys 4XI
A sterling effort by the team last night. We went into the game knowing that victory would do us the power of good towards escaping the other relegation contenders.

We couldn't have come out of the blocks any faster: Ronnie raced clear after only a few seconds and crossed for Jamie who turned it in. Before long Ronnie was again leaving the defence for dead and artfully slid (toe-poked) the ball past the keeper. Alleyns then started to come forward with more purpose and scored from a cross from the right, headed in from close range. However, they remained vulnerable at the back and Ronnie won a penalty after going clear and running across the defender, drawing the foul . (Defenders might regard this as a dive but, as Ronnie explained the bar later, Michael Owen regards it as fair play so it's fine.) His low shot into the corner left the keeper with no chance. Our cause wasn't helped by Kieran limping off with a hamstring injury and Alleyns' direct approach and pace started causing us real problems. They scored twice in quick succession: an o.g. after a great save from Mike rebounded onto the returning defence and back into the net, and an impressive shot from the edge of the box that fizzed into the top corner. 3-3 at half-time.

While Alleyns had finished the half with the momentum, after some stirring words from Dean we pulled up our socks and returned to the match with renewed vigour. The second half was less conclusive with both teams having chances but struggling to retain possession and therefore dominate. However, as the match drew on we started to play the ball around again and, after some more meaningful attacks, Jamie scored again from a pull back by Kenny. Except that it was inexplicably ruled out for offside. The clock ticked away and it looked like victory would escape us but, as the seconds were counted down, Kenny smashed the ball past the keeper after a through ball by Dean. Seconds after the restart, the ref blew up and victory was ours.

I'd like to record my thanks again to everyone for making themselves available at short notice and, even more importantly, securing 3 crucial points.
Giles Edwards

Bank 5s 2-1 Merton 7s
Records Office Pitch, Midweek match

So yet again the Fives, ignore their lowly position and with their third successive victory advance up the table, and fifth win in seven games, despite the exasperating delay in completing our fixtures by overcoming a determined Merton resistance. Merton were late in getting it together, so much so that we had to lend them our complete yellow and black strip, while we had already changed into our away blue.

Anyway we kicked off, and exhorted our faster more skillful and wide players to use the opportunity of this wide pitch and pass it round them. And our forwards were dancing around them without always delivering the killer shot (think Arsenal lately). But our defence was right on the money throughout the game. If the moon had dropped from the sky, there was only going to be a Bank head on it. And a sure touch into midfield where Shortie would be there to spring us forward. Several well worked chances had gone by, before Sean ran in to clip the ball over the keeper after another busy and quick passing move. 10 minutes later, Merton were level. Perhaps we were too flat, as their young No 10 raced down our right. I chased him and got goalside, but he just hit this scuffed shot along the ground and went in just inside the post. So it was 1-1 at half-time.

The mood was still buoyant at half time. We just needed to embrace the expanse of the pitch and stretch their players, for the gaps that we could exploit with the likes of Sean, and Sam and Steve etc. Their attacks were bouncing back time and again off our back four, as the game became even more lively. We were to make several changes through the second half, but perhaps the game hinged on a penalty decision against Shortie, when he made no contact, and the forward basically floundered, but the referee pointed at the spot. By now, the changes we have made has led to Cap’n Cordey being in goal, without his glasses. As the Merton Number 9 steps up and places the ball, West Ham Sam mutters: "He never misses" There’s always hope. With penalties you shouldn’t stand on the edge of the box and be a spectator, take a position on the corner of the ‘D’ and walk back as many paces as the penalty taker does, then run in with him, if there’s any parry you’ll be first, because you are already running and have the momentum over those on the edge who are standing watching. This time it worked. Phil brilliantly parried away the penalty, diving to his right, and I was first to head the rebound away from goal, there was then a short but furious chase to retrieve the ball by either side. I was still going after it with a couple of exasperated Merton forwards, when this whirling dervish, and speedy Gonzales brushed us all aside, and kicked the ball out for a throw further up the pitch. Steve H, that was quick work, that came from nowhere!

The Fives never stop attacking, but as the clock ticks down I can hear the Merton coach exhorting his players to come away with a point. We have Sam on now, playing the last 10 minutes for us and indeed against his old team, and boy can West Ham Sam run, he’s like a hot thing off a greased shovel. Scaring the life out of their left back, and cutting in and making chances. One of which fell to Damien who had his usual excellent and energetic performance in midfield, but despite promising us all in the warm up, that he would keep his head over the ball, and not just blast it high over the bar.... he may have to pay for that broken window on the 8th Floor of the Bank’s Records Office, behind the goal.

We didn’t want a draw even if Merton did. And with five minutes to go, finally, the Fives got their just deserts in a hard fought game. Again we have tried to use the width of the pitch to stretch the tiring Merton defence. We break up an attack and feed out right to Sam who needs no bidding. Skipping past two challenges, and finally our (away) blue shirts are running in. As the ball is played in, and attacked, ironically it is Sam the Man who scores for his first team, against his second team, and so on. Sam put us ahead with five minutes to go. 2-1 to the Bank, and now Merton are throwing everyone forward. It’s more nervous to watch it than to play it, but the Fives saw the game out despite a last onslaught from Merton, and even a few decent counter-attacks of our own. I make that three wins in a row boys!
Raoul DeBunsen

Saturday 31st March 2007

BoEAFC 3XI 1 v 0 EBOGS 3XI
Our third win in a row came via a hard-earned but deserved victory down on the Brook. With the wind assisting us in the first half, we managed a lot of good football without putting the ball in the net. We probably edged the half but thats not worth anything if we do not put the ball in the back of the net. For a second week in a row, we were solid in midfield and busy up front. At the back, we played some nice football and tried to play the game high up the pitch just as last week (and with the same success). Wildman's injury, picked up during his pre-match diving warm-ups, meant that he couldn't continue after the break. Miller S stepped in and the team lined up for the second half against the wind. With this in mind, everyone seemed hell bent on keeping the ball on the deck and playing football. Another change was made - I had simply had enough at confusing Ronnie for Matthew Corbett, so subbed him for Jamie Holohan. With the score still at nil nil with under fifteen minutes to go and realising that a draw wasn't good enough, our full backs started to play further up the pitch. The formation change and pressure paid off after a ricocheted shot finally dropped to Miller J to slot home from 12 yards. With the full backs now sitting deep and EBOGS heads down, we (almost) breezed to the full time whistle and the job was half done.
EBOGS 3XI 1 v 1 BoEAFC 3XI (double header)
With our tails up and EBOGS looking dishevelled and a long way from home, we went at them again from the start. Stevie P, so far warming the bench after the 5s game was cancelled, started to give Rob Wood a breather. Although we had the winds at our backs again, Dave Brown still executed what I would call the 'through-ball of the season' to allow Frosty to hammer home after only ten minutes. There were a good number of people between Dave and Tarkus, yet the ball was threaded through them to arrive onto Frosty's run at the perfect moment. Further Bank chances came and went and, although we didn't take them, I couldn't see any way back for the oppo at the turn. However, the last quarter (as the ref may have said) was a different matter. Even though we had more subs than them, we seemed to be looking the more tired. Perhaps EBOGS finally realised that if they didn't get anything from us, their push for a promotion place was out of the window. We still created chances but again they all went begging. We found ourselves increasingly dependent on Mike to bail us out. But when Chris Lee put in what should have been a last-ditch, match saving tackle five minutes from the end, I believed us to be home and dry. But, not for the first time this year, we were caught out at the death as EBOGS opened us up and finished well to again rob us of the full points quota.
Dean McShane

BOE 4s 1-1 Old Salesians 4s
A very good battling performance in difficult conditions (strong wind blowing diagonally across a hard and small pitch, which had only been very recently set-up on what was previously a rugby pitch) against a stronger and nastier Salesians team than the one we beat earlier in the season. For a long time it looked like Mark Willsher's fine first half finish to a good move down our right, involving an excellent contribution from Chris Lewis, would be enough to secure the three points, but a late equaliser from a deflected shot from the edge of our box denied us at the death.

We had the advantage of the wind in the 1st half and dominated the play, without making too many clear cut chances. Salesians weren't slow to put in some strong challenges, and we had a few free-kicks in promising positions. 4's debutant Steve Black went close with one, his strong shot just clearing the bar. Mark Willsher went close with a good chance not long before his goal. Salesians weren't creating anything until out of the blue they somehow got a one-on-one, Santi saving us with an excellent dive at the strikers feet.

Second half was more even - we had to defend a lot more but Salesians weren't creating clear cut chances. Santi held a couple of long range efforts well, and there were one or two scrambles but we looked like we would hold out. Mark Willsher picked up an injury (apparently he "stopped running too quickly") and Damian came on to do a fine job in his place. Roger Dickson went of after 80 mins on his return from 'paternity leave' to be replaced by your correspondent. We had a good one on one chance to make it 2-0 just before Salesians equalised. Sadly their rather large keeper somehow managed to get to the edge of his box very quickly and got his considerable frame in the way of the first attempt and our follow-up attempt trickled past the post of the empty net.

There were only about 5 minutes left when Salesians scored, but we managed to create one more opportunity when Jamie T slipped past his man with ease and fired the ball across goal where Damian was just inches away from converting at the far post. There was just time left for Hodges to go lame and have a go upfront for the last few seconds.

Good performances all round and bags of effort from everyone. Shame it wasn't three points but every point counts and one is better than none!
Ron Holmes

Saturday 24th March 2007

BB Eagles 2s 1 - 2 BoE 2s
One league game left and we've hit a rich vein of form!

The Holohan 'goal machine' was back in action on Saturday as he pounced on a stray ball in the Eagle's area and shot us into the lead mid-way through the first half. We could have added one or two more before the break thanks to flowing football going forward, but the finishing touch eluded us (me in particular). They lifted their game in the second half, in an attempt to get back into the match, but we kept our shape and defended resolutely. It was left to Crippo, who had been threatening to score for much of the game, to seal the points - squeezing the ball between keeper and post. Nevertheless, we were forced to play out a tense final 10 minutes after they pulled a goal back.

The victory meant that we can enjoy another season in division two next year - congratulations to everyone that has played for the 2s!
Jamie Capel-Davies

BoEAFC 3XI 2 v 1 CEVs
A strong squad of thirteen players assembled for the day's games and good availability meant that six points was a real possibility. From the kick-off, the Boys in Golden Jerseys took the initiative. The entire team settled into playing some fast-paced football that caught CEVs out from the start. However, after fifteen minutes, the oppo seemed to have caught their second wind and pulled themselves up by the socks. Just as pressure started to build up on us, a sweet throughball (although I can't remember who by!) put Ronnie Driver through and he slotted home, cementing his place firmly at the top of the 3XI scoring charts - although making his first appearance for the team since November! We looked in control of the match and with Rich Tea ensuring our defence played a high line, CEVs attacks were regularly thwarted by four or five of their players straying into offside positions. We shot ourselves in the foot shortly afterwards. Their big ol' lump in the middle of the park won yet another free header. The resulting attack forced a corner and Vamps equalised as we failed to clear our lines. The match balanced on a knife edge until well into the second half until vice-captain Rich Tea bundled the ball over the line from a corner (lets not lie, that's how it happened). Regardless of how it went in, it was one helluva important goal. The squad then dug-in for victory and, although Ronnie Rosenthal could have even put away a couple of chances that Joe Miller and Rob Wood had, the score remained 2-1 and the job was half done.
CEVs 1 v 8 BoEAFC 3XI (double header)
I'll try to keep this short.... Our disciplined performance(s) started to tell on the oppo and they started to tire as we held onto the ball a lot more (we were perhaps slightly wasteful when attacking in the first game). Ronnie, once again, gave us the lead. Yet again, before half time, we made the job difficult by stepping up after a corner to play the offside - a wayward shot held up in the wind and CEVs were first to react. One all. Fortunately, the Churminator was now on the pitch and restored the lead before the turn. To cut a long story short, six more Bank goals followed and I can some them up as follows:
Driver - tap in
Churm - tap in
Brown - tap in x3
Frost - glancing header from a yard out.
Dean McShane

BOE 4th XI 0 - 0 Alleyn Old Boys 5th XI
The 4s went into the game having lost the away fixture earlier in the season and, with HSBC and Carshalton breathing down our necks, needing some points from the game. However, after some good results in recent weeks and with Jim Taylor, Santi and Mark Willsher lending their services, the gaffer was confident of a good result.

Alleyns were a well organised side and had a couple of tricky players. However, we quickly took the initiative and had the best possession - a pattern of play that ran through the entire game. We had a few chances in the first half: the best of them being a header from Tom that hit the bar and was scooped from the goal mouth by the keeper, after hitting a defender's arm. It looked to have gone over the line to most of us, but the ref turned down the resulting appeals for a penalty/goal. The second half was more of the same: excellent work rate in midfield to snuff out the opposition passing and robust defence when needed, but also some missed chances at the other end.
Giles Edwards

Carshalton 8s 0 - 1 BoE 5s
Carshalton 8s 0 - 1 BoE 5s (double header)
A great day at the office for the Bank of England Fives; in fact to perfect the office cliché, I only had to copy and paste the second scoreline.

Having suffered two very unlucky and hard fought defeats in recent weeks after a 2-week lay-off from our recent great run of success, this was very much the proverbial 6-pointer away to a team above us in the table but catchable (and can now consider themselves caught).

So two games to play, on Carshaltons infamous undulating, bumpy and either tufty or bare pitch, swept constantly by a freezing cold wind, blowing down from the North and offering a smell which was euphemistically described as rural by the more polite members of the team.

But anyway, a 15-man squad all up for it, and 2 games to play. And strangely it seemed as though Carshalton had their best spell in the very first minutes as we shook out, particularly in defence, and with skipper Cliffey in goal, we were as noisy as ever, constantly yelling (sometimes quite contradictary calls) but always getting a head or a foot to the ball, or seeing it out to safety or into Dave's sure hands. The defence does talk to the midfield but it never quite makes up for the shyness further up the pitch, which apart from Jackmania, is always so quiet and I've never understood. (Incidentally, why do we always win when Jack's not playing?) Anyway with one or two minor scares, the defence held firm for two clean sheets over two hours. Noone was going to get into our goal on Saturday, even if we played all night.

(Only kidding Jack, you would have loved it on Saturday, and at least the Ref would have understood you; you can get married anytime but you can't beat a Fives Six-Pointer!)

Some of the lads were saying that they were two grinding results, but they are by nature the hardest ones to win. I actually think we still tried to play our football, but with the wind making every cross or clearance sail ridiculously, and the ground (on which at least two oppo players asked me during the match why we couldn't have played these at Priory Lane) ball control and passing was always something of a hazard.

Fortunately we had the surer foot, tenacity and skill, and endurance, and the willingness amongst the squad to win both games which is what we had come to do. We could have won by more.

Sure we could have had more. There were several glaring open goal misses, or missed shots that could have sealed each match; but no names, no pack drill. Damien and Gary played a great game.........

Actually both played their socks off, but I should mention from my time running up and down that freezing touchline, (I wasn't warming up to come on. I was trying to stay alive) that everybody played their part in this great afternoon.

I think Tom was outstanding in a left role and that noone shirked and noone showed tiredness until all six were in the bag, and a special mention to young Ethan Pisano, who was fantastic all day. and definitely a great team player.

For the record:

Match 1: Carshalton 0 Bank Fives 1
A gritty and assured performance from the defence provided the platform to make our raids, against a team who relied on long balls and the offside trap. The midfield having got the ball did play the best cut throat passes but too often stopped by offside whistles as the Greens pushed up, and we have to watch that back line boys, because the fast passing play and the deliverance in was good enough for you to stay on the defenders shoulder, and still leave him for dust. Sean was our most lively attacker and having come close before, he hit a sweet clipped shot to put us ahead. We seemed to lose some impetus after half time but still made the better chances, except that these were yet again squandered high or wide even in at close range. With the whistle blown, we knew it wasn't the football we like to play, but we were half-way to the task we came to accomplish.

Match 2: Carshalton 0 Bank Fives 1
You can copy and paste the last report again now guys.

Steadfast defence, a goal again late in the first half, a good headed corner from Yeatsey, extremely hard work in midfield , and lots of running but fruitless shooting up front. But all the time we were either trying to play our football or knuckling down to stop theirs. I think in the end the home team knew that we wanted to win more than them (we certainly did), but they were exhorted to a final effort and a flurry of corners that we defended to a man.

So the final whistle blew on a quite historic day when the Fives broke a lot of records, and we fully expect Mossy to have the statistics on when was the last time any Bank team did the double in one day, kept a clean sheet for two matches in one afternoon, over 120 minutes of football. (Mossy: no idea - ask Ayyaz!)
A great gasp of collective Bank relief that we hadn't blown it in the last minutes (particularly from the older players) who have seen it happen so many times before. But this time a Bank Team came away to the most hostile of pitches and scooped the bag.

I'll say that again.

SCOOPED THE SIX POINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'd like to say that the happy crew celebrated the night away, in true Fives style, but this was Carshalton at Beddington Park. And I should say this at this point, the girls who come down every week, froze along with the subs, and after us and our valuables and ask for nothing, should be rewarded somehow. My thanks to them. Even the dog who was watching every ball so keenly, he was straining up on his leash like at a Meerkat for a hawk.

England were playing Israel and we have a jug of lager, and after various attempts to get a telly tuned to sky for which Sean had his fingers slapped for trying to do something, we finally after a good hour having got changed and settled down to watch the game, just as the teams had led out the mascots the anthems had been sung, and the ball was on the spot for kick off, we were told the clubhouse was closing down for the night. We refused to budge, since he could have told that us earlier, and so we negotiated to watch the first half of another abject England performance.

From there it was a wild trek to find any sign of life, until finding a pub that showed the match in Mitcham, and I still don't know what's worse, England's pathetic 0-0, from which nothing has changed from the abyss of the World Cup, or a long cold blunder around Surrey trying to watch them.

I felt I was in a better team earlier in the day.
Raoul DeBunsen

Saturday 17th March 2007

Alleyn Old Boys 2s 1-2 BoEAFC 2s
Great result lads!

Stalwart defending and deadly finishing were our trump cards in our second win against Old Alleyns this year. Jamie continued his scoring run, pirouetting in front of his marker and sending the ball into the bottom corner, to break the deadlock in the first half. Unfortunately, Alleyns snatched an equaliser before the half was up to set up a nervous second half for both teams. They dominated possession but failed to create many clear cut chances and eventually our forward pairing, living off scraps for much of the half, hit them on the break. The winner came thanks to Jamie's perseverance down the left and delivery into the heart of the box where Dave slotted the ball home.
Jamie Capel-Davies

BOE 4th XI 3 - 2 HSBC 6th XI
Now that's a league table! Saturday was a performance that we've been waiting too long for - a game which we both deserved to win, and won; factors that haven't coincided too much recently! First off, praise to you all. We played the game to our strengths - building from a solid defence, battling but distributing in midfield and always having a go at them up front. When we play attacking football it takes the pressure off all over the pitch, and it's a lot more fun for us too!
Story of the match - We probably had the better of the opening exchanges, I found myself in a bit of space wide left and wriggled into the box to score with, essentially, a sliding tackle when someone tried to dispossess me! I forget the exact manner of their first, but think it may have been a set piece. (Corner?). Anyway, it was no matter, because to ease our disappointment, someone fed Jason through about 30 yards out, he carried it for a bit then smashed it in. Bosh! 2-1. Again, they pegged us back, this time, entirely against the run of play. The ball looked to be going out wide on their right, but they managed to keep it in, whip it in, Dan couldn't claim it cleanly and they bundled it in. 2-2 at half time.
Second half the rallying cry went up, and we all got stuck in. I become disabled after some form of hamstring strain (out for a week, maybe more, my first proper injury!), but stayed on the pitch to try to get in the way a bit. No matter though, as Stevie Heard raced down the left, whipped a ball to the edge of the box, Jason raced past from midfield and smashed it in. 3-2, and the lanky striker just about made up for spooning a ball into the wilderness in the warm up.
We still had 20mins to hold on, and all credit to us (or at least the 9 able outfield players!) for still pushing forward, and therefore avoiding 20 minutes of pure defence.
Simon Walls

BoE 5s 2-3 Kew 9s
This was harder to swallow, because again, the team played even better, and deserved to win. In fact we took the lead early again it was Alex who fired in a stunning shot from the edge of the box, on Lower Redgates, and were looking like good value, but then we had a decent penalty saved, and other chances went wrong. Kew have a tiny young lad in goal who is actually really good, and has defied us every time we play against him. We were thinking we need that second goal.

We had exactly the same back four as last week, and again we took our confidence and our orders from Ian Short in the middle, and tried to pass that on up the pitch. I’ll say it until my very last match, the Bank is too shy around the pitch. The defence play well because they are a team within a team, with someone as boss, but everyone prepared to sing out if an attacker needs covering. But if everyone talked to each other like, me, Ian, Tom, and Rory do, we’d get further up the pitch.

TALK MORE! I MEAN IT, TALK MORE!!

We’re not perfect at the back, but because we’re constantly chatting to each other, we can always cover each other, and guide midfielders particularly the wide ones into position. And we have a strong engine room right in the middle with Jack and Damien, and some flair when we can get it from Yeatsy And that’s how we defend, and start to mount our own attacks.

So here we are. The equaliser comes from the one and only time that we deliberately played the offside trap. Ian could see the forward getting lazy, and pushed us all up. The ball was about to be hoofed forward, idleness from the forward, and slack thinking from the guy who belted it to him. He was several yards offside when to his surprise he had only the keeper to beat, and he almost made a hash of that.

Into the second half at 1-1 and everyone is playing really well. And yet Kew sneak a second goal. Gary is a great ref, and as he says, he can only give what he sees.

We weren’t done yet.

We pushed Kew back. And soon they were conceding corners. I got my head on one that young keeper got his hands to, and some of the other lads also tested his metal to no avail. But we were not to be denied and the goal when it came was by captain’s example, and I don’t mean the usual weekly histrionics!

This time the corner was whipped in sharply to the near post, where Jack pounced, and with a cracking downward header brought us level. The sickening thing is that Kew managed to steal the points with a winner with one minute to go. Noone at fault, just a choking reminder of the fickle gods of football. Anyway, that was my take on the last couple of matches. I think we’ve deserved to win every match we’ve played at least this year.
Raoul DeBunsen

Saturday 10th March 2007

BoEAFC 2s 2-4 Norsemen 2s
Plan B: Win this week.

Plan A started well as we surged into a 2-0 lead, thanks to Matt's pressure on the right and cool, top-corner finish. Jamie then followed it up with a predatory strike that capped another swift move down the right flank. However, despite our advantage we were never in control of the game and it wasn't long before Norsemen put away one of their more difficult chances (from 30 yards out). The second half brought an equaliser and then two more goals for our opponents as we struggled to pin them down, in particular their precocious no.7. A huge disappointment to end the game empty handed, but our performance didn't match theirs for the 90 minutes.
Jamie Capel-Davies

BB Eagles 5th XI 3 - 1 BOE 4th XI
A rare foray into North London and the team was looking to get back into winning ways after a bright start to the year which had since been interrupted by a loss to Carshalton and weeks of heavy rain. Some navigational difficulties before the game resulted in the kit returning to what increasingly appears to be its natural home - Don Thomson's washing machine. A reshuffling of the deck was required due to non-availability, but on paper the squad looked strong for this first encounter of the season with BB Eagles.

After resisting some initial early pressure, we scored with a route 1 goal - Jerry latching on to the flick on and coolly sliding the ball home. However, this was fairly quickly undone by conceding a farcical goal - time stopped still as the ball failed to go out for a throw, holding up just inside the field of play; the opposition reacted first and following a fly kick down the line, a cross and a shot it was 1-1. BBE had the best of the rest of the half but we defended well and got to half time level and in a positive frame of mind.

We started the second half brightly, taking the game more effectively to the opposition. However, we failed to convert this pressure into decent scoring chances and were punished when midway through the half BBE scored with a blistering shot from the edge of the area. We continued to generate some good chances though and remained very much in it thanks to some excellent keeping from Dan. However, we were ultimately found out from a free kick - statuesque defending leaving any one of three strikers with the opportunity to knock the ball home.

All in all, a frustrating result with the score line reflecting perhaps the slightly greater attacking threat posed by BBE. This leaves us needing to convert some of our games in hand into points if we are to avoid the drop in the club's centenary season.
Giles Edwards

BoE 5th XI 2 - 5 Old Wilsonians 8th XI
Even they will admit how lucky they were.

Yes, we started badly, an enforced break of two weeks did nothing for the roll we were on, and OW scored with a simple goal inside the first minute. Typically we fought back, and it was a great penalty from Sean that pulled us level. We continued to attack their goal, even Raoul had a header cleared off the line, and then saw a second half volley crash back from the crossbar from 20 yards. Other more nimble players got into their penalty area and deserved more reward.

We made mistakes at the back at important moments. Raoul missed a clearance, and they scored from it, Ian lost his footing at a crucial moment, when you would have bet on him to make the tackle, and there was a goal from a corner that really should have been blocked. So the goals were stacking up, but we never stopped playing, and definitely had most of the action despite the scoreline.

So to have the last word, we attacked down the left hand side. Watching from the back, I just knew this was going to be a goal. The midfield had worked perfectly in opening up their right flank. When the ball was delivered we outnumbered their defence by 3 to 1 and it fell to Alex to knock the ball home. Nobody deserved that coup de grace more than Mr Muscatelli, who not only scored but then scooped the ball out of the net, and ran back to the centre with great Italian exhortations to get another one!

Well, we couldn’t get back the goals we had already let go, but everybody played a great game, which is what makes playing for the Fives so much fun.
Raoul DeBunsen

Saturday 24th February 2007

BoEAFC 2s 1-3 Old Esthamiens 2s
Another good performance, but points went begging again as we couldn't quite hold out against Old Esthameians. We took the fight to them in the first half, led by Dave Sam who had a header cleared off the line (or was it behind?) before firing us in front, to the chagrin of the opposition. Mid-way through the second half, they equalised and the game was hanging in the balance. Unfortunately for us they had the strength (and a seemingly endless supply of subs) to eventually gain the upper hand, and they found their winner (and a flattering additional goal) in the last 10 minutes.
Err... apparently they equalised in the first half! I think my memory must have taken a knock when defender poleaxed me in the first half(?).
Jamie Capel-Davies

Winchmore Hill 4 v BoEAFC 3 (aet)
A much improved performance on Saturday brought us within a whisker of the semi-finals but it was not to be. Ultimately, the fact that they had three quality subs won the game. We started much brighter than the opposition, Jerry going close with a header from a free-kick. Midway through the half, we took the lead - Tison shutting their keeper down (who had inexplicably dribbled the ball out from his box), leaving Walls to fire home with his left from 20yds. The work rate, tempo and pressure were maintained by us through to half time and we thoroughly deserved our lead. Some of the touches/passing/movement down the right-hand side from Lord, Wildman, Walls and Tison was some of the best I've seen our team play this season.

Early into the second half, our lead was doubled with another stunning finish from Simon Walls. This time, a right-booted half volley smashed into the far top corner from over 20 yds. Following the goal, we continued to dominate the match until the referee awarded a harsh penalty against myself for handball, even though I had my arms tucked in and was attempting to get out of the path of the ball. A superbly place spotkick hit the inside of the post before beating Santi. 2-1. With Winchmore timing their three subs to perfection, we found ourselves on the back foot more and more as the half wore on and stopped putting our foot on the ball and playing the passing game due to tiredness. Their second goal came with about ten minutes to go and 30 mins of extra time was imminent.

The first period showed a marked improvement with everyone looking to keep the ball on the deck and play football again. I must admit, I thought the game was ours when we went into the turn 3-2 up after Frosty drove in at the back post. However, it wasn't to be as Winchmore scored twice - the third coming from a well-placed free kick from the edge of the box and the fourth coming as cramp seemed to be setting in across our team with half of their team queuing up in the box to convert. To be fair to them, we couldn't get the ball of them in the dying minutes.
Dean McShane

Saturday 17th February 2007

OWCs 2s 2-2 BoEAFC 2s
After a slow start we created easily enough to chances to win the game, but it wasn't to be as OWC insisted on sharing the points. Nevertheless, there were plenty of positives in the game - some great moves down both wings, two of which led to our goals, and 100% effort from all. Dave Brown broke the deadlock with stunning strike into the top corner, and nearly added to the scoresheet again when he forced the keeper to tip his header onto the bar. OWC equalised in the second half, but Dave Xmas put us back in the ascendancy with a textbook header before they got their second equaliser with only minutes to go.
Jamie Capel-Davies

BoEAFC 3XI 0 v 6 AOBs
Overall, a bad day at the office on Saturday. There was only one team involved in the first half - and how we came in three nil down eludes me! Well, actually, it doesn't. Their first shouldn't have gone under the keepers arms. They got slightly lucky with the second when their attacker won a free kick on the edge of the box. We didn't close the shot down quick enough and it slipped through at the near post - disappointing. Their third came when a poor goal kick went straight to their attacker who was gifted a free pop at goal. All these goals could not have been more against the run of play if they tried. At half time, I changed formation to 3-4-3 as I said I'd rather have a go at them and go down by six goals than not do anything (ironic, eh?). However, shortly into the 2nd half, my substitution came back to bite me. The job became impossible when Tiago got injured and could not continue. Its was extremely difficult to keep our shape and, to be honest, I cannot remember the fourth, fifth and sixth goal.
Dean McShane

Carshalton 6s 5-1 BoEAFC 4s
Let us start with the positives. Guinness was £1.50/pint. Now for the match report. We lost 5-1 to Carshalton - the team below us in the league whom we had comprehensively beaten a fortnight before, and who now rest only a point behind us. By all accounts they were much the same team as we had played, only a little better organised and more up for it. They had a lot of young players who grew in confidence throughout the match into a decent side, and the pitch was a joke. Having said that, it was a game we should have got something out of.

Early exchanges were promising- Don supporting the attack well on the right, Chris Lewis holding the ball up well for Tom Smith's industrious runs. We were winning possession in midfield (though not always being too clever with it), and our defence was looking relatively resolute. However, after 10 minutes or so we added another farcical goal to the 'against' list, when a shot hit the post, Ron swung and missed facing his own goal, Roger scrambled it away only to strike Don, leaving the ball to trickle past the despairing Dan. 1-0.

Our response wasn't quite dynamic, but we were still pushing forward well- Jerry had some joy against his marker on the left wing, and we had one or two fairly insipid shots. We always looked fairly vulnerable to the 'hoof and chase' though, and it was from one of these ( I think) that they notched their second.

Into half time then, and I took my seat in the stands sporting a tennis-ball sized ankle. Roger momentarily shone in midfield, and Chris Smith showed the industry that we generally lacked, attempting to grab the game by the scruff of the neck, but ultimately failing! Their third came about 15 minutes into the half, with a fairly smart finish after being given a bit too much room. At last we rallied! Crispian darted down the right and then delivered a belter of a cross onto Tom's head. Solid connection, 3-1, and we looked right back in it.

Optimistic to say 'right back in it' at 3-1, but for the next 10 mins or so we really dominated - if we had scored then a Carshalton collapse was possible. But no. Some soft goal or another, followed by another smart finish, and we trudged back to the changing rooms 5-1 down.

So. We didn't deserve to lose 5-1, but it wasn't a very imaginative performance. I think we'll put it down as 'one of those days' rather than try to determine any structural problems with the team, and it's certainly true that the pitch was dire, and that the goals 'came at the wrong time.' Anyway, it doesn’t change the league much, but just means that we're going to have to pick up some points against some of the higher-placed teams now something that we are well capable of.
Giles Edwards

BoE 5s 3-1 Polytechnic 9s
There you have it lads. Another famous victory, this time from coming from 0-1 down.
Polytechnic came at us first, and their goal was right out of the Arsenal play book, they played it neatly around our right flank, before delivering the killer cut back and tap in.

They were never to do that again during the course of the game.

To the credit of the Fives, we attacked straight back, we’d worked our way into their defence and sooner or later, they conceded a corner. Steve H took it and it was a perfect cross. The score is now 1-1, the header has thumped home, and I am the first, of two unlikely heroes on the afternoon.

Polytechnic came here for a victory, and utterly expecting it. But Alan in goal, records only 3 saves to make, because the defence snuffed everything else out. And it does make a big difference having Ian Short in the middle. Chris Yeates took the eye in midfield, as do all our guest players, young Luke came on for the last 15 and played a blinder.

So here we are in the last struggles, and the ref has indicated the last 10 minutes. We break up an attack on our own left wing, and feed it out wide with a smart interchange of passes, a feature of our game over recent matches. The ball withstands some last desperate lunges, as Polytechnic pour back to their marking. But now the ball is clipped neatly up to the far post where Mark Jones is waiting all alone. His header strikes across to the near post and nestles in the net. To great scenes of jubilation, and I mean we’re talking utter joy here!

There you are, two miracles, Jones and de Bunsen on the score sheet (tell that to your grandchildren!), but there was more to come. We had to stay firm at the back, as Polytechnic threw everything at us for the last 5 minutes, but then Steve Heard not only gave us an out, but finished the game. Running on to a long pass at the right hand edge of their box, and the keeper charging out, he coolly lofted the ball over him to seal the points. It’s probably what I would have done myself.

It was a cracking game, and the visitors never gave up. As the final whistle blew, I was clearing the ball from our 6-yard line.

Unbeaten this year, and 2 wins and 2 draws out of the last 4 matches, let’s keep it going lads. Scorers: De Bunsen (tell my brother!), M Jones, Heard
Raoul DeBunsen

Saturday 3rd February 2007

BoEAFC 4s 4 v 1 Carshalton 6s
Saturday dawned bright and crisp with the good feeling of having some subs and a proper goal keeper between the sticks. However, this early optimism had dissipated five minutes before kick-off when it became obvious that, due to a couple of drop-outs, we would only have a bare 11 and no keeper. Chris Lewis, making a guest appearance for the 4s, stepped into the breach and pulled on the emergency set of gloves. We started the game in the knowledge that this was a must win game, and we were fastest out of the blocks. For a while it looked like being one of those days, Ron hitting the crossbar after their keeper scrambled the ball from a corner. Then came our moment, when John Kendall showed his experience, masterful skills and blistering pace as he intercepted a back pass header to their keeper and slotted the ball nicely in the corner. 1-0 to BoE at half-time.

With two injuries and no subs, Roger de Bunsen went in goal and John took on the role of holding the ball upfront, trying to bring in the midfielders whenever possible. Soon into the 2nd half we went 2-0 up with another low strike in the box from John. They then pulled one back undeservedly as a weak shot hit Roger in the chest and bounced into our net. (An understandable mistake for an injured substitute goalkeeper.) However, we bounced back, scoring two more - Ron finding the net from the back post and John rounding up his hat-trick with a clever chip over their keeper into the top corner, after their offside trap failed to work.
Man of the Match: John Kendall - whose pace and guile (ok, just guile) was far too much for the opposition to handle. Thanks too to Gary Hyett and Steve Pisano for helping us out this week.
Giles Edwards

Kew 8s 5 v 5 BoE 5s
How to condense so much action into one short match report?
Well we started really well with 10 men, Bunny still puffing his way up Priory Lane (I’m sure they are putting that red post box further and further away). Sorry lads, the Clapham train let me down twice, but I let you down and there’s no excuse. So with maybe 10 minutes gone, the Bank was up to full strength, and really starting to impose themselves on the game in all departments. Not to say the usual muscle and know how of Jack and Damien in midfield, and our flankers like Tom, Jerry. And lest I forget, the superb creative influence of our two 4th team guests, Martin and James. I can’t say it enough, if we talk and pass, hard tackle, talk and pass, strong header, talk and pass, then there’s no team in this league that we need to be afraid of. So we went into an assured 2-0 halftime lead. They attacked as well, but it was all dealt with, and there was no idea of the second half rollercoaster ride that was about to unfold.

To cut it short it went: 2-1, 3-1, 4-1, 4-2, 5-2, Ah, then almost without blinking 5-5.

Then had discovered a weakness in our formation, they had a couple of nippy forwards who me and Rory could kick off the ball, and did repeatedly. So they went long, and went for punt and chase. Unfortunately it worked for them this time, we were too flat and square at the back, and the equaliser came before we could start a sweeper system.

Anyway, I could go on. I think the Fives are a force to be reckoned with, having just seen off a Lloyds and two Kew teams with bloody noses.
Everyone wants to play, and everyone straining at the leash to beat the next lot!

COME ON YOU FIVES!!!
Raoul DeBunsen

Saturday 27th January 2007

BoEAFC 2s 2-1 Old Salesians 2s
Another excellent team performance and another three points.

Jamie's well taken lob put us on top and then Gary's crisp finish at the start of the second half really put us in control (arguably there were even more goals to be had). David Wall's 2s debut deserved a clean sheet, but it wasn't to be as the ref gifted them a sympathy penalty in the last minute. A particularly harsh decision after Sam's "monster performance", to quote Steve 'Eric Hall' Pisano, in the marshlands of centre midfield.

Unfortunately, we don't have a game this week - back to back wins and the rest of league is running scared!
Jamie Capel-Davies

BoEAFC 4s 4 v 2 Old Wilsonians 6s
Pre-match spirit was enlivened with the news that we would have a proper keeper between the sticks, in the form of Dan. A welcome addition indeed. A surfeit of defenders led to a 3-5-2 formation being employed.

We took the game to the oppo from the off, for once, and the early pressure eventually told when Rich Kendall arrived at the back post to net a cross from the right wing that had eluded those in the middle of the area. The first of many goals for young Kendall, I hope. We then continued to show the better forward progress of the two teams but conceded an equaliser from a scrambled goal from a corner. We restored the advantage when Jamie scuffed a shot that went between the keeper's legs, though I'm sure he would claim otherwise. We then nearly handed back the impetus after another badly defended corner - Dan initially missing the ball and then booting away the resultant shot (I use the term loosely) from the goal mouth. Although the ref was in a good position, I can only assume that the incident was obscured by bodies as he ruled, wrongly, that the ball had not crossed the line. I guess you make your own luck in this game. 2-1 at half-time.

We knew that Wilsons would start brightly in the second half but the pattern of play was largely unchanged - we continued to create the better opportunities and scored again when Simon smashed in a loose ball from near the penalty spot. Next blood went to Wilsons from another corner (3-2) but we continued to cause them problems and had a couple of good chances to restore the cushion, which we couldn't convert. As the second half drew on Wilsons saw more of the ball and the crowd (nearly into double figures) sensed that it might be one of those days. However, although legs were getting tighter and lungs were starting to burst, we kept up the work rate and the pressure finally lifted when Kenny managed to spring the offside trap and coolly cut inside the retreating defender before launching the ball into the bottom corner. Cue wild celebrations / sighs of relief from the sideline.
Giles Edwards

Kew 9s 2 v 2 BoE 5s
Another good performance by the Bank as confidence and team spirit seems to be growing week by week, only marred by not coming away with the victory we should have had. An old Fives veteran made his comeback. Sadly not in the Old Gold of the Bank, but the red of Kew Association, and I’m glad to say he is as lively, skilful and speedy as ever, but for the second time this season, and playing for two different teams, young Sam never found a way through our back four, despite being their best player. We were first out of the traps from the kick off (as distinctly opposite from the second half for some strange, sad and actually quite familiar reason). Anyway we were well on top and working the game in their half, when Sean cut free yet again to be hacked down desperately in the box. He stood up to despatch the penalty into the roof of the net, with some aplomb. Then after many other chances had gone begging, he was there again to steer the second past Kew’s plucky young keeper.

The whole three points were there for the taking, and one more goal would definitely have sealed it. But it was Kew, this time who came out fighting and they pulled one back with some sort of comedy goal best explained by the people nearest to the scene. No doubt about the equaliser, though. A fizzer of a 30-yard free kick which crashed over our goal line from the underside of the bar. To the Fives credit we finally re-established command and pressed Kew back as the match took on a new intensity. The home side will be relieved that two open-goal gilt-edged chances were scorned in the last 10 minutes; but to be fair they fought hard for their point, and if we want all three, which we do, then we have to take them.
Raoul DeBunsen

Saturday 13th January 2007

BoEAFC 2s 1-0 Alleyn Old Boys 2s
Lads, what can I say? A terrific result! An inch-perfect volley from Sam in the first half capped a great team performance.
Jamie Capel-Davies

BoE 3s 0-3 West Wickham 3s
In one sense, the three-nil scoreline flattered them slightly as the game was as far removed from being one-sided as it could have been. Work-rate and effort on our part couldn't be faulted but, as a team, they were better in possession and their finishing was superior to ours.
Dean McShane

Lloyds TSB 8s 1 v 2 BoEAFC 5s
To mark the occasion of the first league win of the season for the 5s two reports have been provided. Think reading the broadsheet vs the red tops. The writers are Muscatelli and Raoul. Decide which is which for yourself.

The 5s won their first league of the season with a very convincing performance, which was not truly reflected either in the close score line or the fact that the win came with just minutes to spare. Straight from kick-off the 5s dominated the game. The defence marshalled by Short looked solid, Chris Smith and McKeown were dominating in midfield, Jerry Jones, Turnbull and Heard were stretching the home defence. The opening goal arrived within the first half hour. Daniel swung in a free-kick from the right and Jerry Jones scored on the near post. It seemed only a matter of time before more goals would follow. The second half started much like the first, but the second goal did not materialise, and the Bank's profligacy was punished by Lloyds on a corner. The 5s bounced back from this and took control of the game once more, despite conceding another chance or two to the home side, dealt with by captain Cliffe in goal. The winner arrived about five minutes from time. A carbon copy of the first goal, but from the left side: McKeown with the cross, Heard with the finish.
Alex Muscatelli

This was a superb fighting performance from the Fives where team spirit played a massive part. We were bolstered by the inclusion of Kenny and Chris from the Fours, but every player played their part in a victory which should have been more emphatic than the scoreline suggests. The defence was solid and assured, and Cliffey in goal apart from being bundled over for their equaliser in the second half, and one great tip over shortly afterwards, hardly had a moment of anxiety. The midfield and attack combined well with some neat passing interchanges, and particularly impressively in winning back the ball from their clearances and goal kicks time and time again, so that for incredibly long periods of the game we were camped in the Lloyds last third. For at least 20 consecutive minutes in the second half, the ball didn’t cross the halfway line. The only disappointment was the huge number of chances we created that were skied over the bar. If we had concentrated on that, we would have run away with the game. As it was our first half superiority brought a scant 1-0 half time advantage. There then followed a bout of extreme pressure and wasteful shooting, before Lloyds’ equaliser. We continued to press however, but the goal didn’t seem to want to come, and it looked like being one of those days, until Jack’s free kick with 10 minute’s left lofted over the home defensive line and there was Steve Heard, who had an excellent game throughout, stooping virtually on hands and knees to head the ball home on the bounce at the far post. So a well deserved win was celebrated in fine style, with the last pints being sunk late on, in a pub near London Bridge.
Raoul De Bunsen

Saturday 6th January 2007

BoE 3s 2-2 Alleyn Old Boys 3s
A great performance on saturday in terrible conditions. Overall a 2-2 draw was a fair result, but it was a shame not to hang on to the 2-1 lead. We started well, although both sides had a few pot shots. About 20 minutes in, Martin picked up the ball on the right wing, carried it to about 10 yards outside the box and hit a left foot shot over the keepr into the top left corner. A few minutes later a cross fell to their striker in the box and he slotted past Cheets. We dominated the rest of the half but couldn't get the ball in the net; they cleared off the line at least once, and had another lucky escape.

We started the second half well. Dave Samuals got the goal we deserved, heading in from six yards. After that we tired and they had about 10-20 mins of constant pressure. Cheets pulled off some great saves, but eventually they got their break, the ball falling to the same striker in the box and he again slotted home. Still, a great point given that AOBs are top of the league. One win will take us out of the bottom two now.
Rob Wood

Weirside 5s 6 - 2 BoE 4s
We were never in it, to be fair. We started fairly brightly but after about 15 minutes they started to establish their (very effective) pattern of play that saw the ball go to their playmaking #2. Despite the best efforts of all involved, my hope that midfield runners would be able to push on past the front pair of Ron Holmes and John Kendall and cause the oppo problems never transpired. This left the oppo with too little to do in their own half and plenty of energy for forward progress. We went into half-time 3-0 down thanks to three easy chances; in all cases the scorers finding themselves unmarked in the six yard box.

I finally heeded John's advice and we swapped things around at half-time, with Richard Davies making his debut in the centre of the park and Tom Smith going up front. Poor keeping on my part was attributable to an early 4th goal. But after that things improved and, as the rain lashed down ever harder and the sky got darker, we started to gel, showing more purpose and effectiveness going forward. After several close chances, Tom scored from a parried shot from John and John Hodges then stepped up to coolly slot home after Richard was scythed down in the box. Unfortunately, the oppo continued to have chances at our end and they scored twice inside the six yard box from crosses.

Positives:
(i) a high work rate from all concerned, in particular (from what I could see from the far end of the pitch) tireless running all game from the Smiths - Chris and Tom (Morrissey being unavailable);
(ii) the team never giving up, even when winning the game was beyond us.

Negatives:
(i) giving their playmakers too much room;
(ii) failure to consistently get to grips with their runners.
Giles Edwards

BoEAFC 5s 0 v 3 South Bank 7s
The first 5s game since November and possibly worse conditions than when we played Civil Service. The first half saw the team play really well using the wings and putting the oppo under a lot of pressure however we failed to convert this pressure and the resultant chances into scores and had a few scares ourselves at the back but headed into half-time much the better team.

However as has happened on several other occasions this season the second half saw us on the back foot and under pressure from a suddenly better composed South Bank and in a bizarre 5 minute period 10 minutes into the half we found ourselves 2-0 having conceded identical goals from corners. From having been on top we were suddenly very undeservedly two down and under huge pressure as South Bank created chance after chance, however to the team's credit we pulled ourselves together and battled hard to get back into the game and were unlucky not to have a reward for our efforts, but as the game wore on and injury took it's toll South Bank added a third in the dying minutes.
Dave Cliffe

Saturday 16th December 2006

BoEAFC 3s 0 v 4 Ibis
We worked hard but they dominated the game and we were lucky to escape with a 4-0 loss. Santi was man of the match, without his first half performance we could very easily have gone in at half time 5 or 6 down. However, from time to time we did get the ball down and strung a few passes togther, and IBIS looked very ordinary. Its a shame we've lost twice to them.
Rob Wood

BoE 4s 1 - 4 BB Eagles 5s
The first half belonged to BBE. They went in 2 up thanks largely to good crosses from their nippy left winger, who proved a problem for most of the game. A half-time switch to 4-5-1 evened up the midfield battle. We dominated the first 30 minutes after the break: steady at the back and playing some really good passing football going forward. We got our just desserts when Steve Heard beat the offside trap, heading in a long free-kick from Rui Croca. While we were still a goal behind, all the momentum was with us. Sadly, it was torpedoed by an unfortunate slip from a routine clearance; their striker nipped in and somehow managed to lob the towering presence that is Cliffey. We pushed on but a further goal from a right wing cross sealed it.
Giles Edwards

Saturday 9th December 2006

Carshalton 2s 4-0 BoEAFC 2s
The table suggests that we won't play any better teams than Carshalton, and we gave them a good run for their money, despite the scoreline. It was a terrific performance in the first half. If we can reproduce the passing, movement and marking consistently we will get results.

We should have been 1-0 up at half time, but as luck would have it they managed to snatch a goal just before the break. I think they were surprised by how well we played - they certainly knew they didn't deserve to be in the lead. We fell off the pace in the second half, but still defended well. However, three incredible goals in the first 15 minutes put the game out of our reach. Our passing got sloppy and we made them look like the better side by the end.
Jamie Capel-Davies

Southgate Olympic 2 v 1 BoEAFC 3XI
Unfortunately, we seemed to have regressed slightly in terms of results. The performance on Saturday was really good. Despite only starting with 10 players and having to play uphill into the wind and the sun, we battled hard and were unlucky to come into the break one-nil down courtesy of a shinroller of a strike that looped into the top corner.

In the second half, there was only one team in the game and it wasn't Southgate. Constant pressure resulted in Tiago netting again with good work from Crimbo down the wing. The effort was there, the desire was there, we just lacked the killer blow. From the sidelines, I had a feeling it wasn't going to be our day when Rob Wood's header hit Tiago clean in the face on their goalline and came back out. Fatigue and lack of concentration resulted in Southgate's winner, five minutes from time.
Dean McShane

Saturday 2nd December 2006

Southgate Olympic 1 v 3 BoEAFC 3XI
A fantastic performance on Saturday - easily our best of the season. We owed Southgate one from earlier in the season and this victory puts us into the Quarter-Finals (a - vs West Wickham or Winchmore Hill, 13/1). Southgate had the better of the early exchanges and went a goal up after about 15mins. We failed to close them down quick enough (midfield - something to really focus on this coming Saturday) and their guy managed to put the ball home from 20yds. Heads didn't drop and from the restart we started to control the game. Three good chances went a begging, including a back post header and a half volley from inside the six yard box before the breakthrough came. Tiago, making his first competitive start for the team, chased down their defender, robbed the ball off him and ran on to slot home a tidy finish. All level at half time.

At the half-time team talk, it was easy to see that everyone was bang up for this. The second half started with us pushing the pace again. Steve Pisano won a penalty and the ever-confident Dave Xmas stepped up to give the keeper no chance. For the first time this season, we then went about attempting to kill the oppo off. We were good in possession, we were solid at the back, nobody shirked one of the many 50/50 challenges and everyone stood up to be counted whenever any of them tried to kick something off. The third goal came shortly after the second, Crimbo adding his second with a near-post, Lawrie-Sanchez(eyes shut) header. Southgate kept going until the end but we held strong as a team, especially as a defence.
Dean McShane

Saturday 25th November 2006

Merton 2s 0-2 BoEAFC 2s
Great performance last week, especially in such poor conditions. We looked confident in defence and dangerous when we got into the last third. The clean sheet capped a well-deserved goal for Ronnie and wonder-strike from Dan.
Jamie Capel-Davies

Saturday 18th November 2006

Broomfield 2s 2-3 BoEAFC 2s
Excellent result lads. Great effort and some good football, particularly by the eight players who battled for the full game! We need to maintain the resolute defending we showed in the last 20 minutes throughout our remaining fixtures. Congratulations to Dan, Paul and Phil for the goals and Ronnie for soldiering on with a twisted ankle.
Jamie Capel-Davies

OWC 3s 6-4 BoE 3s
The best attacking performance we have put in this season was seriously marred by the worst defensive performance I have seen in three seasons. Simon Walls had us one-up after 5 mins and Crimbo pulled out an exquisite finish to make it two-nil with 15 mins gone. At this point I had to remind Stevie P on the line that I'd seen us squander these leads before. Two up, we thought the game was over, OWCs took control and sloppy defending put OWCs level after 25 mins. Another excellent counter attack allowed Crimbo to put Browny in and we restored our lead only for OWC to reply immediately and then take the lead, 4-3, five mins before half time.

We started the second half piling on the pressure and were awarded a penalty after Crimbo was shot in the penalty area. Boy, can that boy pull some faces! Definite penalty, though! Not a team for making it easy for ourselves, we failed to convert the spot kick. Still attack, attack, attack, we cut the deficit to one with Browny managing to get the final touch after Tiago's flick-on. Any thoughts of pulling level were dashed in the closing stages, however, when our inefficiency at coping with OWC's pure, route-one football struck again.
Dean McShane

BoEAFC 5s 0 v 4 Old Actionian 9s
A disappointing result on Saturday against the league leaders, though bear in mind that their skipper has told me their policy is to bring through young players, going down 4-0 in a fairly well fought contest. The first half was close, although OAA's did most of the attacking we were unlucky to be 1-0 down at halftime and even more so the valid penalty appeal when they handled on the line from a corner.

However youth told in the second half and we found ourselves under constant pressure for the first 15 minutes during which two goals were conceded from the right of the penalty area when we failed to clear our lines, but the next 20-25 minutes saw the Bank give as good as we got in terms of attacking and we were unlucky not to at least get one back. The was dead and buried when OAAs added their 4th with the last kick of the game.
Dave Cliffe

Saturday 11th November 2006

BoEAFC 3XI 2 v 1 Alexandra Park (SAL Junior Cup)
The most important thing about last Saturday was that we've stopped the rot. I hope our first home win (albeit in the cup) now propels us on to better things. I thought Saturday's result was a fair reflection of the effort put in by everyone. The performance wasn't spectacular but its the result that counts. We have definitely played better and lost this season. Early pressure from AP resulted in them taking the lead. We didn't clear our lines well enough after a corner and got punished for it - something to improve on this weekend. After that, the response was good. Our midfield, which I say every week are the most critical players in our team, started to take control of the match. We were fortunate to be awarded a penalty. Dave Xmas had his shirt pulled in the box and many a referee wouldn't have blown up. However, this one did and Crimbo showed character by pulling himself up to convert his first ever goal for the Bank. We continued to dominate and Dave bagged his second with a lovely finish from the corner of the box before half time.

We were able to switch to 4-4-2 in the second half for the first time in a few weeks and, once we had reacquainted ourselves with how to play this formation, I was always confident we could shut the game out. AP did have some possession and chances in the second half but I never felt we were in serious trouble. It would have been nice to have killed the game off and Crimbo had plenty of chances to do so (plus plenty of chance to put Browny in!) but the third goal just wouldn't go in.
Dean McShane

Saturday 4th November 2006

BoEAFC 3XI 3 v 9 Old Salesians
The performance on Saturday doesn't need to much analysis. A tale of two halves - we were awful in the first and abysmal in the second. Our midfield struggled to cope with theirs in the first half and we always seemed to be waiting for them to score first, which they duly did. Then we got our tails up a bit and equalised quite quickly - another sweet left foot finish from Chris to make it three in four games for him. However, the goal was pretty undeserved and Salesians took control and scored two more before slotting home a pen to make it 4-1 at HT. A quick goal was needed from us and Dave Brown fired home to cut the deficit. However, our defence in the second half (and I'm unhappy to admit that I was definitely part of this) were poor. The team shape disappeared and so did any commitment. It wasn't until we conceded another four goals that Ronnie got one back from the spot. Salesians then managed to squeeze another one in from the end. The afternoon was rounded up nicely when Browny broke the skipper's nose.

Disappointing as we have worked hard over the last couple of weeks at attempting to get results. I'm not sure what else to say other than we must remain positive and approach each and every single game thinking that we will win. I've played the majority of the last three seasons in this team and there's much more quality in the squad. But people need to turn up on Saturday's and want to win. Are you content to turn up and lose? If so, the team don't need you. We can ill afford to carry one or two players, let alone six. I felt sorry for Ron and Dave who converted half of the opportunities we had against an outfield player in goal who only had one glove! Thanks must go to Andrew who went in goal, he had one save to make and made it - no chance with any of the goals.

Although there were a lot of individual mistakes on Saturday (I'll hold my hand up to a few), you don't lose by six goals due to one individual. We win, lose and draw as a team.
Dean McShane

Saturday 28th October 2006

Crouch End Vampires 3s 2-1 BoE 3s (aet)
I was actually quite happy with the performance on Saturday. Although 'Vamps' did have their pressure and their moments, we also controlled the game for long periods of time. Always a tough place to go, we showed that we were prepared for the match and took the game to them in the early stages, deservedly going one up through David Brown on his return to the side. We continued to be the stronger team but we are failing to to get that second goal to kill teams off. I think its obvious from our results that we need to put the game to bed when we have the chances to. CEVs were really struggling with our midfield possession but, as they muscled their way back into the game, got the equaliser with about 10mins to go before half time. An avoidable goal in the sense that their player nutmegged us in our six-yard box and beat the keeper at the near post.

The second half was pretty even. I made a conscious decision to employ long ball tactics with the wind at our backs against their lumbering defence. Unfortunately, it didn't come off and we switched back to our regular game with nothing lost but definitely nothing gained. I thought we had a decent shout for a couple of penalties, with Chris Lee having been swept over in the box but, with the referee (who had a good game) being assessed, there was no chance. One-a-piece at full time , so the ref decided to have 5mins each way for extra time. I honestly thought we should have gone straight to pens. In hindsight, this would have been preferable as Crouch End scored with about 2 mins to go before spot-kicks. We were a little unfortunate in ET that we had to play players out of position due to injuries. I'm positive that cost us but these things are unavoidable. Gutted at the end but, as I said, it would have been a hard earned point in the league and I'm actually looking forward to going back there and beating them.
Dean McShane

Saturday 21st October 2006

Carshalton 3s 5-5 BoE 3s
If you thought my normal match reports are long, they will be nothing compared to this! A 10 Goal Thriller! Carshalton went one up after a minute when our defence were caught napping (or were we in a coma?). Without really touching the ball again apart from the restart, we went two nil down from a superb effort from 25yds out which gave Mike no opportunity as it flew into the top corner. This effort was surpassed five minutes later as we went three down. Although another quality strike, it teaches us a lesson about closing the ball/oppo down asap. At this point, I was thinking more about damage limitation than salvaging a point. What happened next was no less than miraculous!

With only twenty minutes on the clock, Stevie P delivered a beaut of a free kick to the back post and Ronnie fired home a volley to give us some hope. Five minutes later Ronnie made it 3-2 with another slick finish from a Holohan pass and we had the wind in our sails again. As the thirty minute mark ticked by, we got the inevitable equaliser. Rob Wood scored his first goal for the 3XI, driving home from 15 yds out. The game had definitely changed - we were now all over Carshalton and they looked ragged. The attendance of one (Keiran) were treated to something special after thirty five minutes when Chris Lee collected the ball from Jamie on the left hand side of the and smashed it over the keeper from 25yds into the top-right corner. 4-3 Bank. By now, it was classic end-to-end football and Carshalton equalised with five minutes to go before half-time with a header at the back post. A good finish from their bloke seeing as Alex Fahey had spent the half elbowing him in the head/face. I'll admit I would have been extremely happy to go into the break level. On the stroke of half time we defended a crucial corner. This lead to a counter-attack: Wildman played a superb defence splitting ball and Jamie was one-on-one with the keeper but showed his all round ability by having the vision to square into the path of Ronnie to claim his hatrick and put us in front 5-4 at the break.

Whistle goes and there is so many men kissing/hugging that it looks like The Scissor Sisters Christmas Party. Second half in a nutshell: Lots of the same without the goals! Alex Fahey kept their danger man up front in his back pocket, Davey Crimbo started to open them up down the left hand side, Stevie P protected the defence selflessly with a performance that belied his 50 years, Chris Lee & Rob Wood were solid in the middle. Ronnie & Jamie still looked dangerous in the second half, the former having a header cleared of the line. At the other end, Carshalton were as dangerous as in the first 15 minutes but the makeshift defence, which included Mackie at left back, held strong until Carshalton equalised again with about twenty minutes to go. Still the attacking football continued with McShane almost splitting the bar from a corner with a header from a corner and Mike Hayes pulling off a couple of trademark fantastic saves to make sure of the away point.
Dean McShane

BoE 5s 3-0 OWCs 5s
A fantastic display on Saturday on the Brook saw a mixture of youth and experience combine to see off OWC (2 divisions higher than the Bank) 3-0 in the SAL Senior Novets Cup. On a windy, rainy and sunny day the 5s lined up in the blue change strip with two changes from the starting eleven the previous Saturday. After early pressure from OWC on the Bank goal, the 5s settled down and began passing the ball around - the team showed excellent movement and control throughout the game - and began to threaten the OWC end. The opening goal came after about 15 minutes via a long ball from the keeper which was controlled by Cordey and following some interplay found the limping Palmer on the left to slip the ball past the advancing OWC keeper, 1-0. OWC continued to press but a free kick out on the left of the OWC penalty area was swung directly into the net by Damian Daniel, much to Phil's annoyance having slammed in the rebound. 2-0 after 20 minutes. In terms of play the game continued to swing from end to end with OWC putting the Bank back four under pressure particularly down the wings. However after 30 minutes a clever move down the right wing was switched across the OWC penalty area to find John Kendall (who had replaced the injured Palmer) on the left to round the keeper and slip the ball home to give the Bank a 3 goal lead at half-time.

The second half opened predictably with a renewed urgency from OWC who were finding it tough going against a 5s side who were playing with an assurance and fluidity not seen for some time and despite some close calls including a decent save at his left hand post by the keeper and two shots clipping the crossbar the defence coped admirably with everything thrown at it. In fact, following the introduction of our two remaining subs - Mason and Gallard - the 5s (or rather Jerry) were unlucky not to have knocked in another few having carved open OWC on a number of occasions.
Dave Cliffe

Saturday 14th October 2006

BoEAFC 2s 2-1 Broomfield 2s
Congratulations everyone on our first win! The well-earned three points lifts us to fourth in the table. A creative/instinctive knee by Hyett and majestic header from Dave Sam supplied our goals to round off a strong first half performance. Although, we made the second half a more nervy affair than it needed to be, by conceding possession and not converting our chances (mistakes we can't afford to make against the better sides).
Jamie Capel-Davies

Ibis 3s 2-1 BoE 3s
Lads, I think we probably got what we deserved on Saturday - zip. The early move down the flank which allowed Ronnie to slip Chris Lee in to score only goes to show how easy it could have been. They quickly pulled themselves together and dominated the first half. Their midfield's movement was too good for ours and they equalised midway through the half from a long throw into the box with a midfielder running onto it from deep. Poor. Halftime couldn't come quick enough. As a team (and especially our defence), we need to be switched on at the beginning of the game/2nd half. They scored early after the break - a nice turn and shot by their forward - but we really should know better than allowing them to have that kind of time. We then took control of the game but could not put the ball in the net. Although we rode our luck at the back sometimes when chasing the goal (the new 2-6-2 formation didn't quite work), we definitely had the chances to win the game. Something for our attack and midfield to think about. The division is easily stronger than it was last year and we need good performances week in week out as collateral against relegation (which we should be nowhere near). We ARE a good team, its time we started letting the rest of the league know it.
Dean McShane

Old Wilsonians 8s 2-2 BoE 5s
Last Saturday's game played in splendid sunshine in North Kent was a game of two halves. The first half, played against what wind there was and the slope, was dominated by OWs whose quicker movement out of defence and array of runners up front caused our defence no end of problems so it was no surprise when our offside 'trap' was sprung mid-way through the first half for the lead. This was followed about 10 minutes later by OWs second, this time from a corner when miscommunication at the back left their defender in to score with a header through some massive bodies. 2-0 down at half-time, though still very much in the game.

The second started as the first ended with OWs on the attack but their forays forward in the second half were a lot more muted than the first with only two chances of note, the defence of Vaughan, Heard, Short and Jones holding fast. Midfield began playing with greater fluidity and purpose and were moving the ball well, this new found purpose seemed to have brought its reward with a penalty for a shove on Jerry, unfortunately the low drive by Heard was well saved. The team continued to play well and with 25 minutes to go Sean collected the ball on the right of the area turned inside and fired a left footed shot low into the far corner 2-1 and our tails were up. The well deserved equaliser arrived about 10 minutes later with another well taken drive by Sean from the left this time. For the remainder of the game the 5s pressed for the winner but no joy, still a well earned first point and a much improved display by the team in coming from 2-0 down.
Dave Cliffe

Saturday 7th October 2006

BoE 3s 2-4 HSBC
Saturday was our second home defeat in a row and also the second where we should have come out with some points - should have taken all 3 on Saturday. HSBC scored early as our defence were a little statuesque. This was disappointing as we talked before ko about starting fast and shocking them early on. Our response was encouraging though, showing that we do have fight in us. A corner resulted with a McShane thunder cracker flying past their keeper - the power all coming from the execution technique. 1-1 at half time and we knew we were winning the battle. We fully deserved our 2-1 lead when Jon Relleen showed good movement, experience and finesse to tuck away another corner. However, individual errors were going to rear their ugly head and steal the points from us. HSBC drew level immediately from a fumbled corner. With both teams still scrapping their hearts out, HSBC took the lead after a free kick was awarded on the edge of our box (their player almost had his legs amputated). HSBC got the killer goal 10mins from time with a lovely strike from their skipper from 20yds which gave Mike no chance. Still we fought on, still we attacked their goal and, disappointing though the result was, each player should hold their head high after their performance on Saturday.
Dean McShane

Civil Service 8s 3-2 BoE 5s
Reports of this game are sketchy as it seems all involved are too traumatised to give a full account of the details. It seems the Bank started well and took a 2-0 lead through a fine Al Wilson header and a Phil Barrett trickler. Then it seems the demons of previous seasons returned to haunt the 5th XI who conspired to throw away this winning position and ended up losing a match they had in the bag.
Various

Saturday 30th September 2006

Norsemen 2s 3-3 BoEAFC 2s
After a strong first-half performance with well-taken goals from Sam and Dave we were disappointed to not take all three points. However, we should take heart that we managed to grab a point in the end after a t urbulent second half. Three goals and fighting spirit were the positives from game, but we can - and should - do better and get a win.
Jamie Capel-Davies

BoEAFC 4s 4-0 Lloyds TSB 4s
Lloyds turned up with 8 men and we went 4-0 up in 35 mins. Then one of their players got injured and they decided to abandon the match (4-0 down and with only 7 men you can see why!). So we won by default.
Rob Wood

Kew 8s 4-2 BoE 5s
This was a really entertaining game in which the 5s put in a good performance against a strong team. After a balanced opening spell, the 5s scored first on a counter-attack, with Tom Gallard delivering a deep through-ball to Sean Palmer, who scored his first goal of the season with an excellent finish. Kew enjoyed more possession as the half went on, and started creating chances. The Kew forwards took two of these and the first half ended 2-1. A defensive error by the Bank early on in the second half led to Kew's third goal, and seemed to put the result beyond doubt. But another lapse, this time by the Kew defence, allowed Sean Palmer to score his second of the game. Encouraged by this, the 5s took the initiative back and created one or two chances to equalise. A successful counter-attack from Kew however took the score to 4-2, and ended the 5s hopes of getting at least a point from the game.
Alex Muscatelli

Saturday 23rd September 2006

BoEAFC 2s 1-2 Old Salesians 2s
Well played everyone last week - we deserved at least a point and were desperately unlucky in the end. If we can maintain the same levels of attitude and performance the results are bound to come. Congratulations to Martin for a goal on his debut!
Jamie Capel-Davies

BoEAFC 3XI 3 v 5 Southgate Olympic
A disappointing result on Saturday, fellas. An early goal from Ronnie was followed by 20/25 minutes of dominance. However, they came back into the game and Cliff awarded them a penalty after their young striker appeared to go to ground quite easily. He got up to convert and then, unfortunately, gave us a masterclass in attacking football. Southgate quickly scored again to make it 2-1 at the break. We looked better at the start of the 2nd half and Dave Brown got his first of the season to make it 2-2. Southgate responded with a third and then a (killer) 4th goal followed - both gifted to them, really, from giving possession away and not closing down the ball. We missed a gilt-edged opportunity to reduce the deficit before they knocked in a fifth. Jamie, being a last minute addition to the squad, came on with 10 minutes to go and grabbed our third goal. Their keeper pulled off another tremendous stop without knowing too much about it in the final minutes.
Dean McShane

Saturday 16th September 2006

West Wickham 0 v 2 BoEAFC 3XI
Overall, a good performance on Saturday. Due to to injuries/drop-outs, we had a very new-look team. I was pleased that we were a lot quicker out of the blocks than West Wickham were and we got the goal we deserved after about 20mins from a neat finish by Martin Tison. We knew at half time that they were going to throw the kitchen sink at us in the second half (they did last year), we rode our luck a bit, dug in and I don't think they seriously threatened our goal (although Mikey Hayes did his duty when called for). Dave Brown grabbed his second assist of the match when he supplied the final ball for Ronnie to finish with 10 minutes remaining. Ronnie's good form continues and the oppo were finished.
Dean McShane

BoEAFC 5s 1 v 4 Old Actionians 10s
The 5s started the season with defeat but the game was closer than the result suggests. The 5s started brightly and took the lead through a well worked goal, Al Wilson slipping the ball through for Jerry Jones to run on to, one on one with the keeper Jerry kept his nerve and calmly slotted into the corner. The 5s then pressed for another goal and were passing the ball around nicely, however 2 shocking defensive errors cost them dear and half time was reached with the team 2-1 down. There was no need for panic however as the team was playing well. However with 3 players picking up injuries the team ended up playing with ten men and slipped to a 4-1 defeat. Encouraging signs for the rest of the season however.
Andy Moss