Crayside Rangers 1 - 0 Camden FC
15 October 2006 - Report by Kirk Weyman
CAMDEN BEAT BY SCRAMBLED GOAL
Starting Lineup: Smudger, Dave, Ashley, Macca, Catty(Cpt), Pablo, Kirk, Burge, Gambling Kev, Chris, Mike. Subs: Dorm, Benneth, Dan A.
The Billy arrived at the impressive Hall Place stadium and discovered the car park was rammed, due to there being games on every pitch. Despite living the closest, the Greek one was the last member to turn up and soon told Benneth to not get too comfortable in the number 8 shirt.
Martin Layle was AWOL as Dave said “He went out and never came home” possibly suggesting some lady action or unable to wake up due to being in a drunken stupor. Ginge was in France meeting a Swiss lady who he met in Australia, for a weekend of pure jigginess. Paul said that Ginge is going to let him know how she smelt?! And, Searle and Kaan were busy in the studio filming the much awaited ‘When American Dad met Bluto’, the animated remake of ‘When Harry met Sally’.
Everyone strutted out to the furthest pitch available with not one person picking up the footballs. Excellent responsibility taken by all there, good effort. There wasn’t much banter pre kick off, the boys were obviously focused on the job in hand. With Mike on fine goal scoring form and Chris playing well without quite getting that goal that will set him off, surely a solid defensive display would result in a Camden victory.
The Camden started well enough and did create chances in what was a tight first half. Kev had a left foot effort and there were several efforts that went over the bar – some closer than others. Crayside had chances of their own and felt robbed of a penalty when the ref failed to spot Smudgers rugby tackle on their forward after a rare fumble by the No 1. The Camdens most notable chance was probably Mike’s header, from a Burge free kick, which the keeper just managed to tip over. 0-0 at the break.
The management felt that the Camden had performed pretty well in the opening 45 in patches and as long as they retained good possession then a goal would come. Dan Ahern came on for the squished Dave at the interval. The Camden didn’t start as well in the second half as Crayside created a few openings in the opening 10 minutes with good defensive blocks and good goalkeeping ensuring the score remained at 0-0. Paul, I believe injured, was then replaced by Tom. The Camden finally managed to get their foot on the ball and created a few chances of their own.
Gambling Kev was then taken off, replaced by Benneth for his comeback after injury. The close game went from end to end and it was looking like 1 goal would decide this encounter. Unfortunately, the breakthrough came from Crayside. A corner was swung in and after an almighty goalmouth scramble the ball eventually squeezed its way over the line. 1-0 to Crayside. The boys rallied for the last 15/20 minutes, getting corners and dangerous free kicks into the box. But with plenty of good runs, especially by Chris, a tendency to not look up resulted in a loss of possession too many times, and potential opportunities wasted.
A Dan Ahern cross nearly lobbed the keeper and Mike was booked arguing about a seemingly legitimate shout for a last minute penalty. (Although wasn’t blatant it might well have been given if it wasn’t the end a tight match).
The full time whistle eventually went and the Camden went off thoroughly disheartened, as this was a match that could easily (and maybe should) have gone the other way. It was by no means a bad performance but, as of last season, scoring goals is proving to be a problem. This involves the whole team as only Mike has chipped in significantly, in the league, this season. It was a reasonably solid defensive display and so a bit more of a cutting each in the attacking third would have resulted in a victory.
This problem needs to be addressed by all (maybe not the defence as they have enough to do!) otherwise it could be a relegation battle when mid table mediocrity is a much-preferred option. Lets do ‘em next time boys, but first lets kick start our season next week by turning over Welling!! Man of the match was awarded to Catty. Some excellent marauding runs.