Concord Res 2-1 Ilford Res

[Golden Boots]

Concord came into Saturday's game missing several key players due to their college jolly up in Cyprus, how the players thought they would benefit from a week of taking it in turns to rub tanning oil into Dean Wells' thighs, rather than playing in some key fixtures, god only knows?

 

Concord fielded a mixed line up, including a return to Thames Road for Ricky 'Gus' Chapman, and the inclusion of the trio of Michael Collier, John Heffer, and Gary Ewers to add some much needed experience to the side.

 

Ilford fielded a young side, including possibly the worst haircut ever seen on a football pitch sine Jason 'Pineapple' Lee in his Notts Forest days, the no 11 having a shaved head, apart from two dreadlocks at the front, which were likened to two antennae, but in reality looked like a couple of flacid black penises hanging off his forehead!!

 

Concord looked to assert their dominance early on, winning plenty of ball in midfield, but failing to create many clear cut chances.

 

The central midfield combination of Ewers and Chapman proved to be a physical and vocal partnership, and was the driving force behind most attacks.

 

Matt Crumbie and young Dan Ritchie up top were proving to be a real handful for the Ilford backline, but Concord failed to find that elusive goal.

 

Half-Time 0-0

 

Concord came out with a real desire to win in the second half, battling for the ball, pressing Ilford hard for everything.

 

The breakthrough did come, Gary Ewers striking a free kick from just outside the box straight as an arrow into the far corner to give Concord the lead, and much deserved it was.

 

Concord continued to press, and loked threatening when going forward, and extremely solid when defending, the experienced Heffer proving invaluable marshalling the young team around him.

 

Concord replaced Mike Hood with Troy Mainstone around the hour mark.

 

Ilford managed to scrap themselves a goal, in a rare threatening attack, the forward firing home after a clever through ball.

 

But Ewers proved to be the hero of the day, the skipper firing home a penalty a few minutes later after an Ilford player handled in the box.

 

Concord continued to press and Matt Crumbie hit the bar late on after good work from sub Brad 'slimline tonic' Payne.

 

A good win for the yellows, who travel to park Lane next Saturday, looking to come back with all 3 points from a youthful Canvey Island outfit, battered 6-2 at home by Brentwood, who Concord have already put to the sword a few of weeks ago.

 

Concord Res (4-4-2)

 

GK M.Collier

 

RB D.Burton

LB C.Clare

CB J.Heffer

CB K.Sleape

 

RM B.Cranfield

LM M.Hood (sub 65 T.Mainstone)

CM G.Ewers ©

CM R.Chapman (sub 75 B.Payne)

 

CF M.Crumbie

CF D.Ritchie