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ASB v Leyton Orient
| Date |
Opponent |
Venue |
Competition |
Season |
Result |
Goals For |
Goals Against |
| Fri 15th Jun 2007 |
Leyton Orient |
Warren Farm |
League |
06/07 |
won |
11 |
0 |
| Match Report |
Warren Farm was the venue for ASB’s last league game of the season and apart
from the inconsistent showers, the pitch and conditions were ok (at times),
which we rarely say about the ‘Farm’.
As expected for our last game, Keir had a healthy squad of 16 at his disposal,
which also included not three, not four but FIVE goalkeepers. Surely this is
some kind of IFA record? Titchmarsh was away on gardening leave, so Keir was
left with the tricky task in picking one of the keepers and the rest of the team
in an attempt to better our goal difference and push on for the league title.
Our latest recruit, Mike aka Jan was chosen between the sticks. The back four
consisted of Orv, Tina, Gary and Weeman. In midfield were Eddie, Riz, JB (who
was also making his ASB debut) and JJ. In attack was the usual pairing of
Sharkey and Jools, who only this week had broke the news of his upcoming
retirement from the game. Our very own Eco warrior will hang up his boots after
Worldnet, much to the delight of all the trees in South London.
Orient were suffering from some last minute dropouts and as a result had no
goalie. They must have thought we were pulling their leg when they found out we
had at least four keepers to choose from, so Graham was dispatched into the
Orient nets.
Juzza was the man in black with ‘Ralf’ and Immy running the lines. Naz,
Babyface and myself were also available for selection.
The game kicked off and it was Orient who produced the first chance of the
game.
Our defence got caught which left one of their strikers clean through on goal.
Luckily, Mike was quick off his line and completely took out the player in
winning the ball.
This was to be the opposition’s only real threat all afternoon but 5 minutes
later Jools got the first goal of the game after converting a one-on-one of his
own.
Graham was forced to make a couple of early saves and just four minutes later
JJ got his name on the score sheet after some good work from Jools. So with just
under 10 minutes gone and our retiring striker had a goal and an assist to his
name. Far out!
ASB were quickly starting to dominate proceedings with some good play in the
middle from JB (who plays in a similar style to Donny) and quite possibly
received his nickname of BJ in record time thanks to Keir.
We then found ourselves 3-0 up after a moment of brilliance from Tina.
Eddie put in a lovely cross from a corner, which was perfect height for our
flying squirrel to hook an overhead kick and into the net. He reeled away in
celebration in what surely must be up there for goal of the season. Ironically,
Tina was trying this technique in the warm up just before the game and not one
went in, so it was sod’s law that he pulled it off when it mattered! Well done
Captain Marvel.
Our early pressure really started to pay off and it was Gary’s turn to get his
first goal of the game after he managed to head an in swinging cross from Eddie
into the net. Unfortunately it wasn’t met with the scream of ‘‘GAZZA!’’, which
he seemed to shout out after winning his headers. Much to our amusement on the
lines and when heading a ball he would shout ‘‘Gary’s ball!’’ and then follow it
up with a menacing cry of ‘GAZZA!’ in some bizarre way of geeing himself up. It
worked time after time as nothing got through our back line and Mike in goal was
already on chapter three of his book.
JB and Riz were forming a good partnership in the middle and it was time for
JB to cap off his debut with a goal on 31 minutes.
It didn’t take long for our next chance to come by and Gary ‘GAZZA!’ Benson
didn’t waste his opportunity on 36 minutes, hitting a left footed strike into
the corner for his second goal of the game. Not bad for a centre back!
From this point on you could tell that the Orient heads had dropped but to
their credit kept organizing and encouraging each other.
Because if this, it took a little bit longer to get our next goal but some
nice play by Tina and an awesome shot from Eddie on the stroke of half time to
put us level on goal difference with Preston and 7-0 up at the break. We were on
target and the gaffer had no complaints for his team at the interval.
The score line would mean some changes in the playing personnel and
substitutions were made. Naz was introduced behind the same back four meaning
that Mike was transferred to the Orient line up at the expense of Graham who to
his credit made three or four good saves in the first half which made ideal
preparation for his cycling mission from London to Brighton the next day.
Keir then put Tim, Nick and myself in the side for the start of the second
half.
It didn’t take long for the heavens to open up again and we found ourselves
playing in a torrential downpour. Despite the conditions, it didn’t spoil the
game much and we started to attack in the same way we finished the first half.
Although it was taking us a while to get going in terms of scoring, some of our
promising attacks were being dealt with by Mike and the Orient defence. It was
starting to get a little frustrating, especially considering the amount of
possession we were having.
Immy was also thrown on in his usual attacking role and Nick came close with a
few good long-range efforts but it wasn’t until 60 minutes that we got our first
goal of the second half. I picked up the ball on the left and went on some
demented run, beating two defenders before squaring it to Gary, who managed to
convert his shot past Mike for his hat trick. GAZZA!!!
I was soon handed the new nickname of Brett Angell, and was enjoying my
unfamiliar role as a centre forward. We then had a corner from the left, with
Eddie sending in a delightful cross. Both JB and I went up for the header but I
managed to get my noggin on the end of it and into the net for my first ASB
goal. It’s easy this striking lark…
JJ was causing them all sorts of problems with his trickery and pace and
linking up well with Eddie, who was typically making a nuisance of himself for
the O’s back four.
Jools re-entered the fray in my place after I injured my knee, which collided
into Mike’s head as I went in for a challenge. Strangely enough, it was me that
came out worse and I was afraid it would be a ‘Petr Cech’ moment for Mike but he
was quickly onto his feet.
Tina also fell victim of a heavy challenge to his ankle and was taken off as a
result.
Riz came back on and held things up defensively as we looked to keep our clean
sheet in tacked. Good time to mention and congratulate Riz and his other half on
the news of their upcoming arrival, although he will not be considering ‘Zesh’
as a name.
We began to find our scoring touch yet again and it was JJ’s turn to notch his
second goal of the afternoon on 63 minutes. Our young striker is in fine form
and has been scoring and creating goals in every game he has played.
As the clock was running down, there were still a few highs and lows to be had
and it was Sharkey’s turn to bag his goal with less than 10 minutes remaining.
It was certainly a relief as he wasn’t getting the rub of the green throughout
the game but got his reward for his hard work and endeavour.
Juzza, who was controlling both sets of players well and allowing the game
flow awarded a penalty in the dying minutes. The spot kick was given to Naz, who
had very little to do beforehand. He stepped up and struck the ball right down
the middle but Mike got down quickly and saved the ball with his legs to help
spare what blushes the O’s had left. I think perhaps 12-0 would have been a
little harsh, although we did lend them two of our keepers who put in battling
performances against a fairly strong ASB side.
Leyton Orient were a decent bunch of lads and it was a shame they were let
down by a couple of their team mates who didn’t show as we know it’s never easy
to play with a bare eleven and no certainty of a goalkeeper. Had a few more
turned up and they converted their chance in the first minute of the game, then
I’m sure we would have had a game on our hands.
After the final whistle, a practice penalty shoot out was held in preparations
for Worldnet (God I hope not). From what I saw there were some fine strikes and
saves from both teams, although Eddie managed to drag his penalty wide!
It was important we finished the season on a high before we set off for
Leedsnet and everyone has contributed in their own way in what has been a very
successful season for ASB, easily the best we’ve had in years. Who knows, things
might even get better over the next month?
We must also acknowledge the contribution made by Jools who will be calling it
a day after the summer. He was part of the first ASB team in 96 and his goal
scoring record ever since has been nothing short of extraordinary so we thank
you for the memories though I doubt this will be the last we see of the
long-haired one. Peace out.
A worthy mention must also go to the management duo of Keir and Inga who have
not only steered the ASB ship in the right direction but put us in a healthy
position of winning trophies again. With the London Cup already in the bag, we
are looking to take a very strong squad up to Leeds. Not to mention we will be hosting our very own tournament next month.
Not a bad way to celebrate our 10th year anniversary I’d say?
Cheers,
Rob aka Brett |
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