21st January v Royal Bank of Scotland..................AFC Division Intermediate South

Result Draw 2-2, Wales 2

Reflecting on this game between the top two teams in the league brings contrasting emotions to mind. A win would have almost certainly eliminated RBS from the title challenge with a loss bringing them right back into it.

Despite all the mid week excitement and anticipation, things could not have got off to a worse start by simple lack of preparation and an even worse sense of direction. With over an hour’s journey, predominantly on the M25, to get there we lost a car along the way with 4 important team members in it. We were therefore, forced to start with 9 men, even with a 15 minute delay to KO being allowed by the referee. Understandably we were camped inside our half from the first minute, with only good defensive organisation and exceptional effort from the midfield 3 and Jack Farrelly’s thankless running as the lone striker keeping the score line blank. Eventually RBS took a deserved lead when a cross was not cleared causing a melee in the 6-yard box. After an unbelievable last ditch block from Simon Boffee deflected a shot against the bar the ball fell straight into the path of the other centre forward to tap in. In all fairness RBS could have been 3 up by the time the backup arrived just 5 minutes before the half time break. But at 1-0 we were still very much involved and got a goal that perhaps effort alone deserved. After good work down the right side between Matt Lane and Chris Astbury, the latter was crudely brought down on the edge of the box. What followed was nothing short of sublime, a perfectly hit free kick by Walesy sailed into the top left corner leaving a previously untroubled keeper helpless.

Halftime 1-1

The second half was a different game and the belief and desire of the 9 who started combined with the sheer determination of those who were late lead to a very competitive and exciting 45 minutes. Some heavy but mostly fair challenges came in from both sides and half chances came and went including a fine effort from 25 yards by our new signing Billy that forced a good save. The midfield 3 of Astbury, Wales and Burt were starting to control the game and the fullbacks began to push further forward.

The deserved breakthrough came with less than 10 minutes left on the watch. RBS were unable to clear a corner and when Chris North, a second half replacement for James Burt who had worked tirelessly from minute 1 despite just returning from injury and hoping for a 20 minute cameo at the end, nodded the ball ahead of a clumsy defender who could only raise his boot and catch our player in the face. The Ref rightly pointed to the spot and Wales clinically dispatched the penalty to the bottom left corner for his and our second of the game.

Sadly there were a few minutes still to play and plenty of time for drama. The RBS left winger who had been a constant threat drove through the middle but looked to have overrun the ball, when 2 things happened almost simultaneously. The ref blew for a free kick to RBS for a supposed block as Dave Lane cleared the ball long only for the opposition player to fly in studs up obviously frustrated at having lost control. He was subsequently sent off but the initial free kick stood. The set piece was parried by Bobbett and the ball eluded the RBS player chasing it in only for that player to stick out a hand and slap the ball in. It all happened in an instant and only the player in question will know if it was instinct or simply cheating. One thing that is for sure is that wheeling away in celebration did none of them any favours and emotion took over a number of our players who were right to feel cheated and aggrieved but in hindsight wrong in the prolonged protests. We now know how the England lads of ’86 felt….

That happened to be the last ‘kick’ of the game and to say everyone was disappointed was an understatement, when really to play for so long against a very solid opposition with 9 men and come away with a draw was a good result.

Man of the Match was shared by the centre halves, although speaking as one of those defenders, it was the midfield that kept us in the game and who deserved the majority of the plaudits.

A jug of beer and apology from the offending player in the clubhouse left us feeling confused as to how we could vent our anger against someone who clearly had footballing morals off the pitch.

No vote was needed for Spoon, although instead of buying a jug maybe saving up for a Satnav would more appropriate.

Team: Bobbett, M Lane, D Lane, Boffee, Severn, Astbury, Wales, Burt, Newland, Doyle, Farrelly.

Used Subs: Chris North (captain!), Billy Hussain

28th January v Old Guildfordians..................AFC Division Intermediate South

Result Won 3-0, Farrelly, North, OG

After last weeks conflict, confrontation and controversy we were all looking forward to returning to winning ways and re-establishing ourselves at the top of the table. With the weekends fixtures pairing a number of the top sides against each other, 3 points would have sent us top with a strong possibility of title rivals losing ground, we were correct on both fronts.

The game started evenly with both sides surrendering possession too easily. With Charlie Doyle starting on the bench we really struggled to keep hold of the ball up the field which meant our midfield could not get into the game. A tactical change after 15 minutes to move Jack Farrelly from wide left into the central role allowed the whole team to squeeze the play further forward and we started to get on top. The first good chance however fell to Guildford, with the ball being robbed in midfield the lone striker proceeded to drive between Fleming and Matt Lane leaving himself one on one with an out of position centre back. The player backed his pace and seemed to have got through for a glorious chance just 8 yards out however a full stretch slide tackle prevented a shot being taken and despite a few cries for a penalty the Ref rightly waved play on. This turned out to be Guildford’s best opportunity and but for a few shots from long range, Bobbett remained untroubled in goal.

Our first goal came from strong play down the right hand side starting with Fleming, just back from an ankle injury, playing a lovely pass into Wales who had remained in an attacking position. He ghosted round the left fullback and selflessly decided to square the ball to Farrelly rather than take on the shot from a tight angle. The chance looked almost gone after a heavy touch but the ball was subsequently drilled in off the near post and a deserved lead.

Half Time: 1-0

The second half started much more brightly and we were on the attack right from the whistle, really dominating possession and territory. At left back, Tom Severn was at his ‘Bale mixed with Pele’ or ‘Galloping Giraffe’ vintage best, producing now trademark gangly runs time after time, despite being man marked, then double marked, even triple marked towards the closing stages, dodging and weaving and fending off all attempts to dispossess him. This combined with the eager Billy was causing Guildford unanswerable problems. The knock on effect meant there was plenty of space out on the right and the next best opportunity came from that side. Matt Lane played a through ball to Wales to skillfully bring down on his chest and drive the ball across goal, only to be thwarted by an excellent save from the keeper. This turned out to be the one of many by comfortably Guildford’s best player on the day.

It was only a matter of time before the second goal came and after a few efforts had gone close to the mark it was a set piece that caused the damage. A deep cross was headed back towards the target by Chris North, with the keeper nowhere to be seen and only a man on the line to beat. In attempting to clear off the line, the defender couldn’t rise high enough and could only head the ball up onto the underside of the crossbar and into the net.

With the scruffy second goal knocking the stuffing out of a tired but honest Guildford side, we smelt blood and started to open the opposition up at will. With the two centre halves anchoring the play and Ross Fleming playing the quarter back role, we spent the rest of the half probing and pushing for a third. A hatful of half chances and guilt edge sitters came and went, but the third goal came from their right back who had been given a torrid day by Severn. A cute through ball into the area from Dave Newland made the right back panic and slice wildly over his own keeper to complete the scoring.

Overall, pleasing to be back to winning ways in the league and a deserved win with a score line that would have been far greater but for the athletic saves by the opposition’s keeper. Rightly, Man of the Match was between two people but eventually went to Ross Fleming who narrowly beat Tom Severn by one vote. Spoon went to the James Burt for throwing a slight tantrum and leaving the ball on the edge of his area awaiting a referee’s whistle that never came. Generic ‘play to the whistle!’ clichés shortly followed.

Welcoming back key players in Burt and Fleming in recent weeks has been a huge boost ahead of next week’s cup quarter final game and in the build up to the business end of the season. But for now, the Old Wokes machine continues to march on and with just over half the season played we have given ourselves an excellent opportunity for league silverware at least.


Team: Bobbett, M Lane, D Lane, North (C), Severn, Fleming, Wales, Burt, Newland, Hussain, Farrelly.

Used Subs - Doyle.