Abbey United 0 - 3 Camden FC
07 January 2007 - Report by Kirk Weyman
CAMDEN STROLL INTO NEXT ROUND
Starting Lineup: Kev W, Little Dan Ahern, Ashley, Catty (Cpt), Ginge, Kaan, Kirk, Martin Layle, Chris, Benneth, Searley. Subs: Salad, Dave , Navy Neil, Gambler, Dorm, Matt, Paul.
First game back after the Christmas and New Year festivities and the Camden were paired with Abbey in the 2nd round of the Arnold and May Beckley cup. After rumours spread of a poor turn out at the first training session of the New Year the previous Thursday, surely the boys (all 19 of them!!) would not be in the best condition going into this game. Only time would tell.
Slowly but surely the lads congregated outside the majestic Erith sports centre. Ashley thought, wrongly, that it was summer and turned up in shorts whilst Laul and Dorm played a bit of keepie up in their socks, very strange. The usual banter was sprayed around until enough bodies were there to enable us to go and get changed. Kaan led the way and chose to ignore the 2 huge, almighty ‘NO ENTRY’ signs on the first set of doors as he tried to enter – followed by Chris. He soon realized his error and was laughed at as everyone went through the correct doors.
Once everyone had got changed the boys strutted out onto the pitch, the ever impressive Erith Rec. In doing this, it was noticed that Abbey appeared to only have 5/6 players as opposed to our 19. Everyone seemed a bit concerned but once the nets came out and their team began to put theirs up it looked like that they would just about be able to scratch a side together – albeit with a few ringers, allegedly.
Dave called out the starting line up and the boys were to start with a 4-3-3 set up with Chris just behind the front 2. As the game wore on, it slowly ended up being a more usual 4-4-2 with Chris moving out to right midfield. As the teams lined up for kick off (the Camden not partaking in their usual pre match stretch and jog) it was noticed that one of their players seemed to have eaten one of his Christmas turkey’s whole, which his shirt barely covered. Anyway, the match began with the away side attacking with the wind in the first period.
The first attack went to Abbey but from there on it was pretty much all Camden. Kirk had a few long shots, some which tested the keeper and most which didn’t. Benneth was sent through on a 1 on 1 only to be denied by a good save and Chris also had a few pot shots. Midway through the half and the Camden were getting a little frustrated having dominated without breaking the deadlock. Even Kev (in goal) got in on the act as an absolute mammoth kick from him very nearly lobbed their number 1 as he back peddled frantically, just about catching it before it would have found the net.
Benneth was sent through on yet another chance for the visiting team but the post denied him glory on this occasion. Chris then did a nice little flick to set up another attack but was promptly told by Bluto to stop admiring his pass and keep running. Harsh words there. Abbey had 1 or 2 counter attacks and also had a strong penalty appeal as their little, annoying, right winger felt he was held back by Martin Layle in the box. Nothing was given. Benneth was then put through, almost immediately, up the other end and was absolutely clattered (or squished, if you will) in their box. The result, one would presume, would be either a penalty, or at worst, a corner. Amazingly, the ref awarded a goal kick. A bewildering decision. The strange decisions carried on for the next few minutes (for both sides) and the funniest was probably when Kaan went, blatantly, into the back of their number 8 receiving the ball at his chest from a throw in. The result from that was a Camden throw in, magic!
The last 5 minutes or so there was a bit less action. The last real attack was probably when Benneth was, again, sent through and was, again, squished. Kaan lined up the free kick and hit it horribly over the bar. This prompted Ginge to offer to take the next one. Luckily, Camden didn’t gat another free kick within shooting range for the rest of the game. Half time, 0-0.
Dave gave the boys a mini roasting at half time suggesting that there was no communication and that Laul had acres of room on the left if anyone bothered to look up (which was true). A bit more patience in build up was also required and the team was also warned that with Abbey playing with the wind, although they had rarely threatened up to this point, they could easily nick a goal and sit on the lead. The boys listened intently and went out for the second half knowing that the dominance needed to be turned into goals before Abbey started to believe that they could steal the game.
The first 5 minutes was a bit sloppy from the Camden as Abbey had a couple of long range efforts which either went wide or Kev saved with ease. Kev also claimed an excellent ball from a tough, in swinging corner. The Camden soon regained composure and began to knock the ball around nicely, especially down the left hand side involving Laul and Searley on several occasions. Their keeper was soon back in action as the away side pressed. A few more long shots were had and their centre back was getting some amazing distance with his toe punt goal kicks.
About 15 minutes in the ball was worked out to the ginger warhorse Dan Ahern on the right. He sized up his cross and drifted it into the box. It seemed to be too close to the keeper but it had more height then first thought and he tried in vain to tip it over as it flew in off the bar. An amazing effort by young Ahern. He could never in a million years claim it was a shot but it still puts him 3 goals ahead of Catty as he is now on 1 with Catty on -2. 1-0 to the Camden.
Abbeys heads went down and the Camden pressed for more goals. About 10 minutes after more pressure the away side earned a corner. It was floated in by Chris and Kaan powered in the header. An excellent header which the keeper had no chance with. Kaan ran back to the centre circle without acknowledging the assist by Chris and was told by Kirk that there is no I in TEAM. 2-0 Camden. Abbey were now sensing the worst and the Camden were growing with confidence as they attacked to give themselves an unassailable lead. Paul was brought on for the flagging Benneth and pushed out to the right wing whilst Chris was moved back to his regular position of centre forward.
It seemed inevitable that the Camden would get a 3rd and with about 15 minutes left they did just that. The ball was crossed in and Kirk touched it ahead of himself to fire it home from about 15 yards. He was just about to do this when the greedy, greedy striker Chris took it off his toe and fired it in himself. As soon as the ball rippled the onion bag Chris turned around and laughed, knowing exactly what he had done as all manner of expletives came from the Greeks mouth. Kaan then added his tuppence worth by reminding Kirk that there was no I in TEAM. He was told to fu*k off. 3-0 Camden.
The next incident in the game involved Chris again. This time, however, he was on the receiving end of a horrific tackle by their big striker (who was a blatant ringer and whose blue shorts were far too tight) who had no intention of playing the ball. His excuse was that “didn’t anyone see what he just did to me?”. Well, apparently not as his own team mates didn’t even defend him. The Daily Greek has also been informed that Jim (Chris’ ol’ man) attempted to run on the pitch after this tackle but was pulled back by Dave. Dan Ahern and the offender had a bit of eyeballing but that was as far as the ‘afters’ went. He was booked for the tackle but should have been sent off.
For the last 10 minutes the Gambler and Salad were brought on to replace Martin Layle and the Greek who were nursing slight knocks. Kaan was struggling with cramp but had no choice but to soldier on for the last part of the game due to all 3 subs being made. Danny Salad was put to right back with Dan Ahern going into centre mid – something which took him an eternity to comprehend! And the reason for this was because after 2 footing the bloke who took out Chris once, it was felt he wanted to do it again and again…
Abbey created a few late chances to try and grab a consolation but Kev stood firm in goal making some good saves. Forward Kev almost got on the end of a through ball at the other end but gambled a bit too late. The full time whistle went and the Camden, after not their best performance, went safely through to the next round with a 3-0 victory.
The man of the match award has been given to Ashley for a solid defensive display. The winning moment was when he made an amazing last ditch tackle to stop a certain goal after Kaan had flicked on a goal kick to their striker. Until next time, take care of yourselves, and each other. Ashley celebrated this award by going for a post match swim in the sports centre pool.