Windsor at Colliers Wood

[Fuzzy Royal]

So I turn up to the ground and the first thing that strikes me is that no one asks for money as you go in and there are no turnstyles, looking across the pitch the far side is completely open, no fence containing the pitch and, as was proved later on, a long walk to get the ball if goes off in that direction. Is there no ground grading in this league?!?!?

 

Second thing was the players cheering and booing in pantomime style at the referee bouncing and kicking the ball on one particular part of the pitch. Okay, yes it had rained heavily, yes there was some water on the pitch and yes it was still coming down. But the thing is the pitch was very impressive and there is now way the game was ever going to be off, in a fit of common sense the ref decided to play the game, but with the caveat that it be a 3.30 ko. The decision to play teh game was probably the last decision the ref got right that day......

 

Windsor dominated the first period of the game and when we scored I thought we were in the driving seat and a second goal would seal the game. We kept going and then just on half time the CW tricky no 9 missed from point blank, a wake up call you might think, well you would hope!!

 

The second half started, I was dreaming of a quick early goal, seal the game and we'll be top by, oh bugger, 3.30 ko so we'll be top by, I'll get there, hold on, right 5.15, easy.

 

Well CW decided they might like to have a go at winning the game and the number 9 ran us ragged, if he could have shot straight we would have been 4 or 4 down, but he insisted on putting it wide. The the momentum of the game changed, Windsor player rises in the box to head a cross and is obviously pushed in the back (honestly it was obvious, only a complete idiot would not see it and not give it) so obviously nothing given. The ball goes almost directly to the other end and I probably don't need to tell you what happened next (cross, push, penalty 1-1).

 

CW then took the game to Windsor and very good individual goal from the number 9 gave CW a deserved lead.

 

almost inevitably, having picked up a silly booking in the first half Jason Sheehan picks up a second booking the second half is relieved of his duties for the day. This did indeed seem to spell the end of our game. we didn't really look like scoring and CW looked likely to get a third, so imagine my surprise when Windsor get out of jail with a very very late goal. 2-2 FT and definitely a point gained rather than 2 lost.

 

So as the rain drizzled down and the players left the pitch (one of the CW players having a heated discussion with the ref) it was obvious we missed the players unable to play. There was talent on the pitch but without the players to help link them together we may struggle to get the results we need.

 

There is along way to go in this season and we are still undefeated, to play as badly ass we did in teh second half and to get a point from being a goal down with only ten men, doesn't sound as bad put like that,

[Rother]

My comments on the game on the main board...

 

Thought the ref had a very average game at Wood v Windsor today.

Sending Sheehan off was very harsh in a game that didn't have a rash challenge throughout on a very greasy wet pitch.

A real game of 2 halves. Windsor keep starting games very well then go to sleep with a lead under their belts. Wood's performance in the 2nd half probably merited 3 points but the late equaliser keeps the season's unbeaten run going.

Good but surprising to see Ben Harris starting today. Not fit yet but when he is, he will make a big difference.

In Garstang, Dean, Gould, Hicks and Minhas we have 4 or 5 "automatic" starters out injured but the squad players gave done pretty well and that should serve us well as the season progresses.

[Big J R]

I await Chris Claphams comments with interest !!!!

[Rother]

http://spiderbee.tripod.com/cwufc/id18.html

 

Wood 2-2 Windsor (Sat 24th August)

Torrential rain meant a delayed kick off as Wood welcomed divisional leaders, Windsor, to Wibbandune. The new Wibbandune drainage worked a treat as an exciting game unfolded. Wood were without Dan Hughes, Will Boye and Paris Clarke but did have Chris Burdon back in their squad. The Guardsmen opened like a side top of the league and Eacott was forced into a low front post save and was hurt in the process. The rain returned, although not so heavy, and there were some mis-timed tackles, understandably. Ankumu did well to clear a dangerous Lucas cross and Grobler and Dexter were both hurt following a clash of heads where Grobler was booked surprisingly. Aaron Cole-Bolt fired well wide and Embalo curled a 25 yard effort just beyond the far post. Sam Mead and Merchant looked in good form at the back for Wood as both sides were really striving to gain the upper hand. On 30 minutes, Windsor went ahead when a long free kick into the box saw Kirby jump a little early for the ball. It struck his arm and he hooked the ball into the net as he fell to the ground. Cole-Bolt and grobler played a neat one two for the former to drive just wide and Harris showed quick feet in turning and firing over from 25 yards. Sheehan was booked for a clumsy challenge and he really tested the referee's patience with three quick fouls soon after. Eacott cleared up following a Grobler error and in stoppage time, Ogunseye's pass was deflected into the path of Embalo but Dennison blocked his close range shot.

HT 0-1 – A fast and furious fast half in which Wood will be disappointed to be behind.

Rob Lazarczuk got in behind Frodsham and his cross was fired just beyond the far post. The pitch was handling the heavy rain very well. On 52 minutes, a Joe mead free kick saw Frodsham head over but Grobler had his shirt blatantly pulled and the penalty was awarded. Joe mead converted in style. Now Wood stepped up their pace. Debrah replaced McCoy who had a hamstring or groin problem. Dennison denied Joe Mead and Ogunseye went down in the box but the referee, rightly, said the defender played the ball. Debrah nearly got on the end of another decent cross although he had to clear a header off his own line soon after. Wood took the lead on 62 minutes when an error allowed Ogunseye to attack the box and he scored brilliantly from 15 yards. Embalo produced a jack knife header which went inches wide, Debrah should have done better when shooting straight at Dennison and Embalo chipped the keeper but the effort went wide. It was, mostly, all Wood but the third goal was not forthcoming. Cooke was booked for a trip on Grobler and Sheehan received a second yellow for dissent and was sent off. Cole-Bolt sidefooted just wide and he was replaced by his brother Kieran. Kerrigan denied Embalo and Wood should have sewn the game up when Embalo beat Cooke and laid the ball to Kieran Cole-Bolt who reacted slowly to the opportunity. Wood were punished for that miss in the fourth minute of stoppage when a clear free kick was not awarded. The ball, eventually, fell to Richardson who poked the ball home unmarked to break the home side's hearts.

A very entertaing game in which both sides contributed well in the wet conditions. It will be some consolation to Wood that the new pitch held up so well but a point against a good side is a useful platform for the rest of the season.

[Fuzzy Royal]

Quite a fair review. The only part I would argue with is the Wood being disappointed to go in half time down, Windsor really should have finished them off early on before Wood missed the easiest of their first half chances to equalise just before half time.

 

But it was an exciting game to watch for a neutral, Wood will be gutted to draw as they should have finished us off in that second half and the pitch was very good.

 

Lets hope we learn from this and just tighten up a bit for tomorrow, we still have very talented players just need to settle andd get a few of the more experienced players back.

[Rother]

Agreed with the "disappointed" bit.

 

They'd have more likely been thinking "Only 1-0 down, TFFT!" I'd have thought. 

[Big J R]

Love the format, Rother !!