Old Whitgiftian AFC

1st HALF LINE-UP
HILLIER FERGUSON R - BURNS - KENYON - FEEHILLY SHKEMBI - STAFFORD-HILL (Cpt) - DUNCAN - STURDY PHAN - REDLEY

It was clear from the first kick, that there was a real sense of purpose about the team this week. The ball was kept mostly on the deck and the width of the pitch was used as our play slowly gathered momentum. The only minor flaws to our opening being that; 1) despite Seds only having one central midfielder, he seemed to win a lot of aerial challenges when the ball was kicked out from their defence and 2) we seemed in a real hurry to put the game beyond doubt... not a bad attitude... but considering we blazed 3 shots over or wide in the first 5 minutes, a foot on the ball and an intelligently weighted pass would have been a better option.

The wind should also get a mention... Seds's young keeper (and anyone else in their team for that matter) when attempting to take a goal kick, was barely able to reach 10 yards beyond their penalty box and caused them problems throughout the half.

Defensively, we looked a lot more determined than we had in recent weeks. We welcomed back Tim Hillier's presence in goal and also Joe Burns to central defence alongside Kris Kenyon. They were flanked by Andrew Feehilly and Richard Ferguson at left and right back respectively. Seds did not offer them much in the way of a test in this game, but it was clear that the communiction levels and discipline had stepped up a notch. Quicker to close down and stronger in the challenge, they simply left Seds without the space or time to ask them any questions.

This was also the first time that Chris Stafford-Hill and Dain Duncan had started a game together. Dain, finding his footballing legs, seemed to follow the ball a bit in the opening skirmishes, but soon found his rythmn and after this the shape looked pretty solid. His presence gave Chris the confidence to get forward more and Seds found it difficult to pick up his runs from the centre. Having a disciplned centre also gave our wide players more width and Richard Sturdy in particular was allowed so much space at times it was almost criminal. As the game progressed he was able to take advantage of this more and more.

On the right, Kas Shkembi took the first 10 minutes to settle and was as guilty as anyone of trying to rush things. However, it took only one call for him to put his foot on the ball and after this he was for me the most improved player on the park, as his passing in particular became almost flawless.

Vien Phan and Darren Redley clicked from the start, working for and running off each other as needs must. They both worked out early on that Seds's right back was very uncomfortable with the ball anywhere near him and chased at him whenever they had the chance. This resulted in him having a torrid time, conceding the ball to us at every attempt and he must have been the happiest of players to be substituted at half time.

Chris Stafford-Hill came closest to scoring in these opening exchanges. He had two chances where he worked himself into goal-scoring positions, but was unable to convert them. The second chance was from a peach of a pass from Richard Sturdy on the left, who ranged the ball a good 30 yards along the floor diagonally across the pitch perfectly at Chris's feet. Had it gone in, it would have been for me the best worked goal I've seen at this level in years.

The honour of scoring first fell to Vien, who after some good build up play received the ball from Darren Redley to score from close range. An uncomplicated poacher's goal... very nice. 1-0 Whits.

At the third attempt, the Captain got the goal he deserved when another of his well-timed runs from midfield was rewarded when he met a low Richard Sturdy cross at the far post on the half-volley leaving the keeper with no chance. 2.0 Whits.

The third goal came quickly as Darren Redley lost his marker with a short diagonal run to meet a slde-rule pass from Kas Shkembi. Darren, still with work to do, hit a fine shot that their keeper could do nothing about. 3.0 Whits.

... and they kept coming. The 4th.... DR (assist VP)

The 5th VP (assist DR)

View photos from this match	CLICK HERE	Photos supplied by Dean Moss

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2nd HALF LINE-UP
HILLIER FERGUSON R - BURNS - KENYON - FEEHILLY (sub ISTHIKHAR 60) FERGUSON M - STAFFORD-HILL (Cpt) - DUNCAN - STURDY PHAN - REDLEY (sub MOSS 55)

There was only one major concern at half-time... and that was with a neck injury to Darren Redley. He had received a blow mid-way through the half and was clearly suffering (albeit in silence as he did not want to miss out on his first hat-trick for the Club).

... and If this team has any real weakness, it is that we have too high a proportion of players wanting to play down the right hand side and of the substitutes to hand all three were vieing for a slot at right back or on the wing. This meant that Kas was to be unfortunate in being replaced at half time for Michael Ferguson. Not that this was meant as a slight at Michael, who was asked to cover the wing while I watched Darren's progress.

Seds now had the wind in their favour (not that it affected Tim Hilier's kicking as it had theirs) and they had made serious changes at half time. Off came the right back, a forward and central midfielder and on came a bit of pace and determination. For me, their best move was to bring their young central defender out into the midfield, who sat deep and brought the ball out into attack when it came to him and took us about ten minutes to adat our play to. They had now upped the pace and we became a little guilty of knowing we had the game won.

Although willing, and playing a number of good passes, Darren was unable to head the ball or keep up with the speed of their defence. Reluctantly, he made way for Dean Moss, who slotted onto the right pushing Michael alongside Vien. Within a few minutes, Alex Isthikhar was brought on for Andrew Feehilly with instructions to shut the door on anything they had to offer. He, along with the defence were now determined that the first clean sheet of our season was paramount, and as the style diminished, the determination grew. Possession remained ours for the rest of the game and Seds did not get a shot on target.

The final goal was a run and shot from Richard Sturdy... low and hard... at the goalkeeper, beating him for shear pace and accuracy. 6.0 Whits.

The final whistle blew soon afterwards and a few demons had been laid to rest.