Old Whitgiftian AFC 4-2 Old St Marys
(Saturday, 29 September 2007)
MATCH REPORT
by Kenneth Cobbett
Saturday saw Old Whitgiftian AFC welcome Old St Mary’s to Croham Manor. After last week’s disappointing opening day defeat, the team would be looking to get their season started with a strong performance and 3 points.
Manager Kieron Fisher opted to start with a 4 – 4 - 2 formation, with Patrick making his debut at left back, Dave Clarke starting his first game of the season at left midfield and Dan Jewell filling in at centre back for the injured Rich McDermott.
Perfect playing conditions and a delayed start allowed Whits to get thoroughly warmed up and focussed on the game in hand, the benefits of which became apparent from the whistle with the home side opening at a high tempo and dominating the early exchanges. This good start was soon rewarded with a goal as a neat through pass from Will Dennis found Kiran Lakhani, who calmly lifted the ball over the keeper to put Whits 1-0 up. Continual pressure made it difficult for Old St Mary’s to settle and it wasn’t long before the visitors found themselves 2-0 down, albeit due to an incredible piece of bad luck, as the St Mary’s keeper fired his clearance from a regulation back pass straight into the onrushing Kenny Cobbett. The ball could have gone anywhere but chose to loop up and under the crossbar into the net. The goal seemed to give the visitors the drive they needed and they worked some good openings, going close from a few set pieces and stringing some nice passing moves together. Nevertheless Quartey and his back 4 held firm as St Mary’s failed to make their possession count. With half time approaching Whits got their 3rd, a well-won header from McNamara in midfield was misjudged by the visiting keeper, the ball falling to Cobbett who was on hand to fire in on the turn with his left foot. Just before the half was up, Whits lost Dave Clarke to suspected knee ligament damage and was replaced by Paul Dolan.
3-0 at half time and Whits were cruising.
The second half began with Old St Mary’s upping their game to try and reduce the deficit. Renewed pressure forced Whits into making errors and the visitors pulled one back as the otherwise solid back line failed to deal with a decent cross, the ball falling kindly to an opposition player who made no mistake from 5 yards. Old St Mary’s were galvanised by the goal and pushed forward in search of their second. A fine save from Quartey kept the score at 3-1 whilst both Cobbett and Lakhani had good chances to finish the game off. Dave Aitken, feeling the effects of a hamstring strain was substituted for Chris Clarke, making his first appearance of the season. The midfield were working tirelessly with substitute Paul Dolan impressing on the left and Andy Blades providing some testing crosses from the right as McNamara and Dennis controlled the central midfield, however the killer goal eventually came from classic route one stuff. A long kick from Quartey was mis-judged by the visiting centre-back, allowing Cobbett to steal in and slide the ball into the back of the net. 4-1 to Whits. A late rally from St Mary’s saw them win a corner, the delivery of which pinballed around the 18yard box before being prodded home. Scant consolation for the visitors as they left The Manor empty handed.
Man of the Match Result| Pos | Player | Ref | 1st | 2nd | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | |||||