Seventh Team................ Paul Szarvas

Click for League Table

Team Photo

Old Wokes 7s versus Reigations on 5th December
Back row: Alex Gray, Darryl Duthie, Joe Turner, Unknown Ringer, Sam Edis, Pete Wolfe, Tom Smith, Vaios "Vee" Kotoulas
Front row: Ed Dam, Mike Edis, Paul "Logic" Szarvas, Craig Smith, Henry Havard, Frazer Page

20th March v Shene OG IV..................AFC Div 10 S

Double Header

A must-win double header, we faltered when a win would have taken us top, the defeat ends our title hopes all but mathematically. Still, 5 wins in a row at our level is not to be sneezed at.

Game 1 Result Won 4-1 Craig Smith, Ed Dam, Mike Edis, Barry Clarkson

The first game was very similar to the previous weeks, opposition not to be trifled with but we had the more chances and slowly took some of them. The game was disrupted somewhat by the loss of the referee to a higher Shene team, Warren deputising for him. He got quite a bit of stick, some of it from us, but the key decision, our second goal, was definitely on-side. We could have easily got to double figures were it not for their keeper who was their best player by far.

1-0 Alex’s corner is cleared to Craig on the edge of the box, who takes in down and fires home.

HT 1-0

2-0 Sam’s through ball puts Ed in the clear and he beats the otherwise infallible keeper one on one.

3-0 Almost a repeat of the first goal except that the keeper saves Craig’s shot but it falls to Mike 2 yards out and even he can’t miss from there.

3-1 A harshly awarded free kick is curled around our wall and flicked home.

4-1 Barry heads home brilliantly when Alex returns a clearance into the area.

Team: Stuart Harvey, Tom Smith (Pete Wolfe 40), Joe Turner, Vaios Kotoulas, Alex Gray, Craig Smith, Mike Edis, Sam Edis, Paul Szarvas, Henry Havard (Barry Clarkson 30), Edward Dam. Referee: Warren Smith did the second half.

MOM: An overwhelming vote for Mike Edis.

Spoon: See below.

Game 2 Result Lost 2-6 Craig Smith, Barry Clarkson

Not dissimilar from the first game, but with the roles reversed ! We were well and truly mugged by Shene fielding a very strong opening line-up with fresh players and they blew us away. Their referee was not the greatest, but he was willing to do the job and too many of us spent too long arguing with him. We didn't get a lot from him but again the key decision, whether Vee had handled, was the right one, Vee looking just that little bit more like a penguin than a lamppost.

0-1 Vee handles a goal bound shot in the area and SOG make no mistake from the spot.

0-2 Graham is beaten at his near post by a thunderous shot.

0-3 We are caught pushing forward when a ricochet sends a SOG striker clear and he lobs Graham.

HT 0-3

0-4 An incisive break down our right is finished with a low cross and a cool side footed dispatch.

1-4 A glimmer of hope as Barry evades his marker and heads home an Alex corner.

1-5 A cross to our far post is headed back into the centre and a good header beats Graham.

2-5 A Craig specialty of cross cum shot from the right deceives the keeper.

2-6 A great through ball finds a strong run from SOG replacement striker and he holds off Vee to finish really well.

Team: Graham Lewis, Tom Smith, Joe Turner, Vaios Kotoulas, Pete Wolfe (Craig Smith 20), Paul Szarvas, Warren Smith (Stuart Harvey 30), Sam Edis, Edward Dam (Alex Gray 40), Henry Havard, Barry Clarkson.

MOM: Tom Smith also by a country mile.

Spoon: We did spoon for the 2 games together. Sam shaded it for the number of chances that he should have converted but didn't. Closely followed by Warren, Craig and Alex for their respective handbag demonstrations.

6th March v Old Suttonians IX................AFC Div 10 S

Result Won 5-1 Sam Edis 2, Ed Dam, Craig Smith, Barry Clarkson

This was one of those days when everything went right tactically and everyone played really well. The game was also notable for a fantastic referee by the name of Lionel Skinner, always in the right place and a terrific sense of humour. We were solid at the back, Sam delivered the goals and both Jordan and Ed made telling contributions from the bench.

Make your own caption up !

1-0 (2 mins) After 2 matches without scoring Sam produces a goal of individual brilliance. After flicking on a Tom throw-in, he collects the ball from Henry, lifts it over him and two Sutts players, controls it under pressure, out sprints/muscles the defender and beats the on-coming keeper.

Vee, Stuart, Sam, Mike, Henry and Pete watch as the ball is cleared.

2-0 (10 mins) He’s definitely back in the goal scoring mood. A beautifully delivered corner from Logic is met by Sam with a towering header which goes in off the underside of the bar despite the best efforts of a defender on the line.

2-1 (25 mins) Logic is penalized near the half way line for a hand ball (harshly in his opinion). Defence is set nicely on the 18 yard line but can do nothing about a 40 yard free kick which, wind aided, catches Stu by surprise a little too far forward and a bit reluctant to throw his previously dislocated finger at it.

3-1 (35 mins) the Sam Edis Midas touch fails him. After drawing a reckless challenge in the penalty area Sam steps up to complete his hat-trick only to be denied by the keeper’s legs. Joe though reacts quickest and buries the rebound.

HT 3-1

4-1 (70 mins) A long throw from Sam is met by Barry with a perfect flick on and Ed stoops to head in at the far post.

Is he gonna get there?

Ditto !

5-1 (80 mins) A move of such quality that no less than 5 players are credited with the assist. Craig intercepts a Sutts throw in with a header on to Joe. He quickly moves the ball inside to Sam who transfers it left to Logic. Logic delivers the ball forward where Sam flicks it on to Barry who squares first time for Ed to complete the move with an assured finish. Both teams are somewhat stunned.

Stu gets a special mention for a blinding tip over from great turn and volley and for beating a striker to a cross with a headed clearance. Less said though about his understanding of the back pass rule.

Team: Stuart Harvey, Tom Smith, Joe Turner, Vaios Kotoulas, Pete Wolfe, Craig Smith, Mike Edis (Jordan Martin 60), Sam Edis, Paul Szarvas, Henry Havard (Edward Dam 55), Barry Clarkson.

MOM: Vaios Kotoulas.

Spoon: Sam for a hat-trick of misses.

27th February

Both Sevenths and Eighths opposition cancelled, so what turned out to be an enjoyable 3-team 5-a-side contest at Woking Leisure Centre with a guest team from Guildford Railway. The winner-stays-on formula worked a treat as the team staying on burnt out, giving everyone the same number of games without fixture manipulation.

Wokes Whites: Darryl Duthie, Alex Trowers, Paul "Logic" Szarvas, Pete Wolfe, Ed Dam

Wokes Blues: Vaios Kotoulas, Craig Smith, Henry Havard, Alex Gray, Damian Milson

20th February v Old Meadonians VIII..................AFC Div 10 S

Result Won 3-2 Szarvas, Havard, Turner

Another trip to my old club and familiar faces, I apologise in advance to readers for name-checking Meads as many times as Wokes ! As well as the usual suspects Pete the Pole, Tony "I live in Woking but I'm never joining Wokes" Ryan and Nathan Nicholson, Meads fielded come-back kid Dean Putman from my days as Meads 6th team captain.

Sam Edis, Joe Turner and Ed Dam for Wokes, Dean Putnam, Sadler (?), Nathan Nicholson and Tony Ryan for Meads.

On a soft and slippery pitch, it was apparent that Meads had 3 key players. Pete Collins in left midfield was the pick of the bunch but he was handled superbly throughout by a sterling performance by Craig. Not glamorous, but effective and worthy of the captain's MOM vote. The centre midfielders were well matched, leaving me with a rather easier task on the left. So many times I've fluffed my lines against Chris Greening in the Meads goal – not this time!

20mins 1-0 Mike collects the ball in midfield and threads a through ball into Logic’s feet. The skipper makes no mistake beating the keeper at his near post. There’s life in these veterans yet.

Logic converts for the opening goal. Not too often I score and get a picture to boot. Indulge!

The game remained even however with the exception of the central defences. While Dean Putnam dominated for Meads, Joe and Vee were pretty woeful, with George for Meads coming off the defence to pick the ball up time and again, and we were duly punished ...

25mins 1-1 Woeful tackling as OM striker skips passed Jordan and Vee and beats Stu with ease.

30mins 2-1 Mike’s miscued shot is controlled by Ed and turned into Henry’s path 6 yards out. Keeper has no chance.

35mins 2-2 Déjà vu all over again. This time Vee and Pete fail to make a meaningful challenge on the same player with the same result.

HT 2-2

Tactical adjustments at half-time nullified most of Meads advantages and we were generally dominant in the second half. Chances were missed though. Barry in his now customary battle with Tony Ryan for aerial dominance tried to win a penalty by falling over embarrassingly, but then Tony committed a stone-wall foul pulling on him, which explicably no-one appealed for and no penalty resulted.

Nathan Nicholson clears an ineffective looking corner. Ed, Henry, Joe, Sam and Barry for Wokes. Meads referee Joe Pearce looks on.

A key moment came 15 minutes from time when Meads had the ball in our net. Season over, I turned and trudged back to my starting position. But no, we were taking a free-kick. Off-side. I had no idea who or how, but the post-match verdict was that there was a close-call, but it was half-a-yard on. Then …

90+ mins 3-2 Never say die. Somehow Sam and Henry contrive to set Joe clear (and exactly what was our centre back doing in the centre forward position?). Despite close attention from a defender Joe pokes it passed the on-rushing keeper. Cue a very large bundle of delighted team mates.

Meads were understandably gutted to lose this game. Mighty relief on our side. Maybe this was the most utterly lucky win we've played in for a long time, but we were desperate to win and that made the difference in the end.

Team: Stuart Harvey, Jordan Martin, Joe Turner, Vaios Kotoulas, Pete Wolfe (Barry Clarkson 45), Craig Smith, Mike Edis, Sam Edis, Paul Szarvas, Henry Havard, Edward Dam.

MOM: Mike Edis.

Spoon: Logic for wearing an Old Meadonians T-Shirt at my old club - one senses the team are getting desperate a reason for me to win these.

13th February v Old St Marys IV..................AFC Div 10 S

Result Won 2-1 Craig Smith, Joe Turner (or OG depending who you ask)

We beat OSM easily at the start of the season, so on paper this looked like it might be a stroll in a West Byfleet park. It started off that way as we sailed into a 2 goal lead without breaking sweat.

The rest of a game was a different story however, as their 2 perfectly good strikers, who wore all the hallmarks of never usually receiving the ball, found someone to give it to them in the form of a new player Thapa. OSM played out of their skins for the rest of the match and gave us a really hard time.

Meanwhile we failed to take any of our numerous second half chances to kill the game off. Pete hit an outrageous shot from inside our half that went close. Jordan Martin came on to make his debut for the club. A mistake by the captain in the last minute nearly gave OSM what would have been a thoroughly deserved draw, but we survived and kept our slight title hopes alive.

20mins 1-0 Sam surges through the midfield and feeds Craig unmarked out wide. Craig’s cross deceives everyone, including himself, and finds the back of the net.

30mins 2-0 Joe meets a Sam throw in with a firm header and an OSM defender obliges by heading the ball passed his own keeper.

HT 2-0

70mins 2-1 We don’t put enough pressure on their left winger and his cross eludes everyone including a mysteriously rooted to the spot Vee and the smallest player on the pitch (Thapa) heads in at the far post.

Team: Stuart Harvey, Paul Szarvas, Joe Turner, Vaios Kotoulas, Pete Wolfe, Craig Smith (Tom Smith 70), Mike Edis, Sam Edis (Jordan Martin 65), Edward Dam (Alex Gray 60), Henry Havard, Barry Clarkson.

MOM: Stuart Harvey;

Spoon: Logic again, this time for the somewhat limp excuse of using all 3 substitutes before the 80th minute, leaving Barry to walk around pretending to be useful for the last 10. Joe was nearer the mark for nominating "everyone who thought it was going to be easy" of whom he was one;

Referee: Karl Stedman, who was given good feedback from OSM.

6th February v Old Reigatians VI..................AFC Div 10 S

Result Won 4-1 Sam Edis, Ed Dan,Craig Smith, BarryClarkson

After being asked to travel to Sidcup to play our first game in 7 weeks against the division leaders, a much kinder schedule gave us 3 weeks against the 3 bottom teams. The first of these pitted us against our good friends from Reigate. We caught them on a good day as their key man Matt Phillips was moving house and late. Roger Craddock started the game and they held out, but as the game went on, so our confidence that we could win this one increased.

Who's the kid then?

40mins 1-0 Good work from Barry and Joe sets Sam onto a loose ball and he is unceremoniously bundled over. Penalty. Sam tucks it away with no fuss.

HT 1-0

55mins 2-0 A game of human pin-ball in the Reigate penalty area leads to numerous scuffed half chances until the ball breaks to Ed at the far post and he bundles it in
.
70mins 3-0 Great work from Henry, supported by Ed, sets up a chance for Joe which is well saved by the keeper but he can do nothing to prevent Craig blasting the loose ball home
.
80mins 4-0 Fine play by Sam and Joe in midfield finds Barry unmarked on the right and he fires across the keeper into the bottom left corner.

85mins 4-1 The chance of a first clean sheet of the season is wrecked by a mistimed tackle by Tom and the resulting penalty in dispatched with ease.

Team: Stuart Harvey, Paul Szarvas, Joe Turner, Vaios Kotoulas, Pete Wolfe, Craig Smith, Mike Edis (Tom Smith 60), Sam Edis, Edward Dam, Henry Havard, Barry Clarkson.

MOM: Henry Havard gave a demonstration of how to play up front, not score, and still be man-of-the-match, great commitment for the team.

Spoon: Logic for the most embarrassing back-heel of all time.

30th January v Old Sedcopians V..................AFC Div 10 S

Result Lost 1-3 Sam Edis 1

A long trip away to the leaders, we got there in plenty of time and a quick tactical chat in the car park did no harm at all. An excellent first half performance, Stuart making his 7th team debut in goal was protected very well by Tom, Vee, Joe and Pete and we kept a first half clean sheet. Mike shaded his son in the first half and was pretty creative but we didn't make that many clear chances at their end.

12th December v Carshalton VII..................AFA Junior Novets Cup

Result Lost 2-8 Craig Smith, Barry Clarkson

The margin for error when you've got two evenly matched sides is small. But when several things go wrong, the result will be defeat as sure as sure can be. I expect the team would want to read a report on this game as much as they wanted to chat about it afterwards. But we will have to learn from several self-inflicted mistakes if we want to keep winning in the league.

Despite the problems, we did OK in the first half. We didn't threaten an awful lot, but we dealt with their attacks pretty well on the whole apart from a terribly soft goal caused by looking round at each other instead of the opposition.

The nature of our substitute bench dictated that we would have to change our attacking formation for the second half whether we wanted to or not. The half-time re-shuffle looked good on paper, but in practice it was a complete disaster as they scored within 30 seconds of us kicking off, more than one of our players at fault.

I can't remember the third goal, but the game slipped beyond us when Darryl let a long shot bounce over him. At that point I adopted a gung-ho 3-4-3 formation which worked for 5 minutes as Craig pulled a goal back. But it didn't last and substituting Alex proved to be another disaster as we perpetually struggled for pace at the back.

Barry looked enthusiastic on his comeback and was brought down in the area, duly converting his academic penalty with aplomb. But for every good thing, and there was plenty of good stuff from us in patches, there were too many mislaid passes to put sustained pressure on Carshalton, and consequently we did not deserve to get anything from the game.

At this point I had written "Good luck to Carshalton in the next round" but as they have now been drawn to play Old Wokingians 6s, I can't! And I am naturally gutted that we don't have an opportunity to test ourselves against the better Wokes team.

Team: Darryl Duthie, Paul Szarvas, Joe Turner, Vaios Kotoulas, Pete Wolfe (Barry Clarkson 45), Craig Smith, Warren Smith, Sam Edis, Alex Gray (Henry Havard 60), Frazer Page, Edward Dam. Referee: Alan Simpson.

MOM: Chippy for finding me a pair of socks to wear less tham 10 minutes before kick-off.

Spoon: The 5th team, for nicking our socks or our lazy players for putting our socks in their bag, depending on your point of view.

5th December v Old Reigatians VI..................AFC Div 10 S

Result Won 5-3 Turner, Own Goal, Sam Edis 3

A highly enjoyable game against familiar opponents. The start was bizarre and decisive. While we loped around waiting for the starting whistle, Reigations executed a very impressive warm-up routine, then were caught completely cold as we completely dominated the first 10 minutes and grabbed two goals despite the match ball choosing kick-off to give up the ghost. Too many thought it would be easy and rattling our post didn't have the required reaction on our part, but in the end we matched them and got the win.

1-0 Reigate clearly haven’t done their homework – our match reports are full of goals scored from long throw ins but still Fraz’s first howitzer of the match catches them unawares and Joe pirouettes to deflect the ball in off his back from close range.

2-0 If not a throw in, then a corner. Our first of the match causes mayhem and somehow 2 Reigate defenders contrive to put the ball into their own net.

2-1 We miss multiple opportunities to clear decisively and just when we think we’ve done the job the ball is returned to the feet of an R’s player unmarked on the edge of the box and he scores via the post.

3-1 Sensational ! Probably his best goal of the season so far as Sam chests the ball down and hits a half volley from 30 yards which is in as soon as it leaves his boot. Made up for his earlier attempt which hit the top of the fence on the full some 30 yards behind the goal.

HT 3-1

3-2 We must work on our tactics for corners. We concede another headed goal from a set piece with marking non-existent.

4-2 Lovely set piece move with Vee’s free kick, flicked on by Joe and finished by Sam drifting behind the defensive line.

5-2 Wandsworth Boro déjà vu all over again. Sam is bundled over for a penalty and is given the responsibility of sealing the game and his hat-trick. No fancy stuff off the bar this time. Great composure.

5-3 Time enough left for Darryl’s comedy moment of the game (well the one that cost us a goal anyway). Suggest you ask him how it went in cos no-one else has a clue.

So in 3 successive weeks, Sedcopians beat us, Reigate beat Sedcopians and then we beat Reigations. That's how evenly matched the teams in our division are.

After the game a presentation was made to Roger Craddock to celebrate his longevity on the pitch, not just a hog dog, but a hot dog with baked beans on a plate with knife and fork. Surely the ultimate honour.

Team: Darryl Duthie, Paul Szarvas, Joe Turner, Vaios Kotoulas, Pete Wolfe, Craig Smith, Mike Edis, Sam Edis, Alex Gray, Frazer Page, Edward Dam, Tom Smith, Warren Smith, Henry Havard. Referee: Shaun Russell.

MOM: Sam Edis
Spoon: Logic, clinched by a beautiful high lob into a neighbouring garden.

28th November v Old Actonians IX ..................AFA Junior Novets Cup Round 2

Result won 4-3 aet Ed Dam 2, Frazer Page 2

We faced a tough trip to Gunnersbury Park to face Old Actonians 43rd XI (how can a club have so many teams in the same cup competition?) with confidence low after back to back league defeats. Still our absent skipper’s expectations weren’t high as anything better than last season’s alleged 8-0 drubbing by the same oppo would be considered success (funny how wallopings play tricks on the memory – it was only 7-2 according to the AFA website). With Logic otherwise disposed (oh no he wasn’t, oh yes he was) we were delighted to welcome back our resident Brummie wisecracking right back all the way from darkest West Sussex. Also missing was Wazza (still feeling the after effects of the club dinner apparently) but back to everyone’s relief was Ed after his trip to casualty last week courtesy of Sutts 19st prop-forward keeper. Doubts were expressed over his full recovery though as he appeared to have forgotten what normal people wear and was still in his Old Wokes kit.

The journey was the usual Russian roulette of which route to take but as both the M4 and North Circular were grid locked no-one made it to the ground with much time to spare, least of all Pete who was entering the field (and I use that term with meaning) of play as the whistle sounded. Classic municipal park changing rooms with showers straight out of Saw V did little to lift our spirits at the thought of a “90mins backs to the wall can we keep them out and hit them on the break display”. The one bright spot was the pitch – a perfect leveler – long grass, boggy with just the hint of the slope. Stand-in skipper managed to win the toss and we were off.

Anticipating the worst this ended up a fantastic cup tie between two evenly matched teams that ebbed and flowed despite some eccentric refereeing decisions which left both sides baffled. Darryl will never commit a more blatant sending off offence and not even concede a free kick. Most of the team missed our opening goal having turned their backs as the keeper bent to collect a routine through ball. Not Ed though who gambled on the 1000-1 shot that he might make a complete mess of it and was there to tap into an empty net. They came back strongly and equalised but Fraz had us ahead by half time repeating last weeks trick of converting a free kick from 45 yards out. Two headed goals had them in front before a neat tactical switch inspired by Will and executed by Mike from the touch line moved Fraz back up front and he was on hand to equalise. Extra time had barely begun when Ed poached the winner after the keeper fumbled a throw in although even then there was still much to do with many tired bodies thrown desperately in the way of shots and more than one great save by Darryl. But we hung on for a famous victory.

It has to be said that the skipper’s substitutions made for an interesting defensive formation at the end - Havard, Kotoulas, Smith T, Gray is not exactly a first choice back four but they worked like Trojans for the good of the team. A very tidy performance by the latest addition to the crèche – Lee Bowden – now the youngest player in the squad. And a selfless self substitution by the skipper when he realised that extra time looked likely and cramp was imminent – less appreciated by Ed as he was left on and did succumb to cramp when bearing down on goal to score our 5th.

Goals Time Line:

1-0 Ed proves you should chase down every lost cause as the keeper fails to gather a routine through ball and he taps in
1-1 Swift break down our right and Darryl goes down a bit too soon for a scuffed shot that beats him at the far post
2-1 A new one for our play book as the keeper is unsighted by Sam and Fraz’s free kick from 45 yards finds the net – a repeat of a goal last week against Sutts

HT 2-1

2-2 We fail to clear a corner properly and when the ball is crossed back in Darryl is beaten by a well placed header
2-3 A free kick near the corner flag on our left is met with a clean near post header
3-3 Sam and Joe combine well in midfield to release Fraz and he beats the advancing keeper with ease

FT 3-3

4-3 A Fraz long throw is fumbled under pressure from Sam and Ed is there to poach the loose ball

Team: Darryl Duthie, Will Goodwin (Tom Smith 55), Vee Kotoulas, Joe Turner, Pete Wolfe (Lee Bowden 45), Craig Smith, Sam Edis, Mike Edis (Henry Havard 65), Alex Gray, Frazer Page, Ed Dam

MoM: Darryl Duthie for an outstanding display between the sticks with Craig a close second.
Spoon : Craig “Rocky” Smith for his handbags pushing match with an As player, with Logic (oh no he wasn’t, oh yes he was) and Ed (for turning up in his kit) close second.

21st November v Old Suttonians IX ..................AFC Div 10 S

Result lost 3-6 Frazer Page, Pete Wolfe, Sam Edis

(read with the theme tune to Casualty in the background)

The story starts with the club dinner the night before. Player of the Season 2008/09 was won by Barry Clarkson, the Mark Rankin Trophy (for 28 years of service on the field in the lower half of the club) went to Warren Smith and then a big surprise when the 7s won Team of the Season in respect of their superlative league marks (anorak note: only team in entire league to score 4 "excellent" ratings, no other team in the league exceeded two). Unfortunately the story doesn't end there. A few edited text highlights : "woke up on lounge floor ... feel terrible ... sorry but wasted ... going to drop out" – get the picture?

After much debate we set out with Alex Gray improvising at right back, a task he carried out with enthusiasm. Ed then collided with the big Sutts goalie, couldn't remember where he lived and ended up going to hospital. He was discharged at 9pm and is fine. Thanks very much due to debutant Sam for looking after him so well.

Next up, a couple of physical tussles between Darryl and their big centre forward left our goalie somewhat worse for wear and he should probably have gone off as well but he soldiered on.

A "tactical" substitution to give Fabby his first run-out in a league game for a while after his fine performance in the friendly last week became a complete disaster when he pulled up after two minutes, winning Spoon in the process, and leaving the non-injured Vee on the touchline telling us how cold he was.

Barry pulled up and we finished the game with 10 men.

Despite letting in goals towards the end we actually played quite well at that point. Frazer put up his best half of the season so far but he and Sam just couldn't do enough to make up for everyone else playing OK but not brilliant enough to really deserve a result. I thought I'd played OK but looking back, just too many misplaced passes to be effective.

Just to be clear, Suttonians, while by no means the best team in the division, were a great bunch and it was just one of those bad days at the office that had us falling like ninepins.

0-1 Darryl goes down a touch too soon for a speculative shot from the edge of the area and a nasty bounce deceives him.

HT 0-1

0-2 A slick move through the midfield is finished with a fine curling shot in off the post.
0-3 Our defence is all at sea but it is still a good first time finish from 10 yards.

1-3 Their keeper is unsighted by Sam’s run in front of him and Fraz’s free kick from 45 yards finds its way into the net.

2-3 Almost a carbon copy as Wolfie’s 45 yard “return the ball into their area from a clearance” takes a bounce in front of the keeper and he can’t keep it out.

2-4 The momentum is lost as we concede almost straight from the restart when a miscued clearance sends a Sutts players free and despite a double save from Darryl they eventually bundle the ball in.

3-4 Hope yet as Sam breaks clear with a neat first touch and beats the keeper with ease.

3-5 Tired legs and minds as our makeshift defence can’t make a tackle and their midfield player waltzes through and tucks the ball home from 6 yards out.

3-6 A tad unjust finish to the score line but it is a great finish from the left across our keeper.

Overall, while we're still in second place, we're just pretenders at the moment, everyone else has games in hand. We're going to have to improve considerably if we're going to get ourselves back into the championship frame.

Team: Darryl Duthie, Alex Gray, Tom Smith, Vaios Kotoulas (Dave Fabb 55, Sam Thompson 57), Pete Wolfe, Paul "Logic" Szarvas, Mike Edis, Sam Edis, Frazer Page, Barry Clarkson, Edward Dam (Henry Havard 15). Referee: Alan Simpson

MOM: Tom Smith from Sam Edis on casting vote
Spoon: Fabby with Darryl close behind for the first goal.

14th November Seventh Team v Eighth Team

Result draw 3-3 Page, Clarkson, Turner for 7S / Tom Smith, Dam, Tapp for 8s

An early cancellation of our trip to Sidcup gave us plenty of time to plan a 7s versus 8s fixture at Loop Road. As it turned out, 2 pitches were playable and the ever-keen 5s were able to play a 3s/4s combined team as well, resulting in 50-odd players getting a bonus game which will stand us in good stead next week so long as Woodsy's ankle recovers. Our game was perfectly balanced thanks to a couple of 3rd team players ensuring that the 7s team work didn't result in a goal every time they attacked, but there were a few other decent performances worthy of note. Fabby, Tom and Alex all made statements for inclusion next week, a good 90 minutes from Sam Thompson and others such as Chris Moulang and James Rust showing that they could do a job. Karl produced a rival for comedy goal of the season to the profit of Frazer, who also attracted praise from many players for his ability to get from one side of the pitch to the other.

7s: Darryl Duthie, James Gray, Vaios Kotoulas, Joe Turner, Pete Wolfe, Craig Smith, Mike Edis, Sam Edis, Frazer Page, Barry Clarkson, Henry Havard, Will Goodwin

8s: Karl Gibbs, Chris Moulang, Chris Tapp, Dave "Fabby" Fabb, Paul "Logic" Szarvas, James Rust, Sam Thompson, Richard Woods, Alex Gray, Dean Somers, Edward Dam, Tom Smith

Referees: Tom Smith, Logic and Chris Moulang

7th November v Old Sedcopians V ..................AFC Div 10 S

Result lost 2-4 Ed Dam, Sam Edis

Another crucial first versus second encounter but this time we were on the wrong end of the score and now face a return match at their place with the positions reversed and a lot of work to do. We were not at the races in the first half and were surprisingly poor in midifield, allowing the oppo plenty of chances to get the ball into good positions. A much better performance in the second half but by then too much damage had been done and we were unable to claw a result back.

0-1 Darryl’s clearance of a through ball doesn’t find touch and we are struggling as the ball is returned quickly to the danger area where Seds lively #20 finishes easily.

1-1 An immediate response. Sam has a good strike from distance well saved but Craig chips the loose ball to the far post and Ed bundles it home, making hard work of a simple header.

1-2 Vee is caught in two minds, whether to attack the ball or turn with it and their #20 has too much strength and pace for him. He finds the net despite Darryl getting a partial block on the ball.

1-3 A great strike from distance gives Darryl no chance. We might have closed down more quickly but credit for a fine goal.

HT 1-3

1-4 Another wonder goal as a clearance is met on the volley from 25 yards and Darryl is beaten all ends up. Not much we could do about that.

2-4 We finally get some momentum going forward and after the usual pandemonium caused by a Frazer long throw Sam dispatches the loose ball from close range.

Our best spell was in the middle of the second half. Sam hit the bar twice, Barry took a boot in the face as he was just about to score and Joe missed an open goal, all in the final 20 minutes when we might, just might, have got back into it, even if Sedcopians did make and spurn their own chances to make the game completely safe. Special mention should be made of Dean who finally made his league debut after 6 months of waiting - one nice through ball from him. And an excellent substitute appearance from Tom.

Team: Darryl Duthie, Paul Szarvas, Vaios Kotoulas, Joe Turner, Pete Wolfe, Craig Smith (Tom Smith 60), Mike Edis (Dean Somers 70), Sam Edis, Alex Gray (Frazer Page 45), Barry Clarkson, Edward Dam. Referee: Alan Simpson.

MOM: Lots of people below par, but Barry won out from Darryl.
Spoon: Joe Turner for his miss.

31st October v Old Tenisonians VI ..................AFC Div 10 S

Result Won 5-2 Sam Edis 2, Craig Smith 2, Joe Turner

A crucial win against a team with a hitherto 100% record, this performance was the exact opposite of the week before. Everything disjointed last week clicked together this time. Tenisonians looked really good at the start of the game but a couple of factors seemed to work in our favour, namely their captain being injured and unable to start and later their response to going behind. While we took a fairly calamitous early goal against almost as though it had never happened, once we started scoring their heads went down a bit.

MOM: Lots of contenders, Craig won out from Pete, Vee and Sam, so 2 defenders were in the running.
Spoon went to Alex for his wonderful collision with Pete trying to clear a ball that was emphatically Pete's to clear. But you cannot fault the spirit in which he did it, everyone is trying really hard.

24th October v Old Guildfordians V ..................AFC Div 10 S

Result Lost 3-1 Clarkson

A very frustrating and ultimately unrewarded encounter with a Guildfordians team who, will all due respect, we should be beating if we have any expectations of challenging for our division title. Instead we have picked up 1 point from our two matches against them this campaign. We could blame the unusual kick off time, the choice of a large pitch or the disruption to team tactics & substitutions caused by concerns over the fitness of an influential player but in the end we just didn’t make use of our superior possession, create enough clear cut chances or convert during a number of mad scrambles near their goal. Having discovered late in the week that the club had 6 home games to schedule on 4 pitches we were very grateful to Guildford for making a 12:45pm kick off which also meant we had a choice of 4 pitches. Reasoning that we couldn’t use our pace to get behind them on their small, sloping pitch at Stoke Park, we opted for the open spaces of the 1stXI’s chosen acres. This though had the effect of negating our tried and tested tactic of the long throw delivered on top of the keeper and we missed that more than we created an advantage through Ed’s pace.

Opting for experience over youth in central midfield for the first half we gradually subdued a lively Guildford side after their bright start including two corners completely missed by a ghost defender at the near post. But for all our possession there were few clear chances to add to plenty of half chances. Ed came closest when a last ditch clearance took the ball from his head as he looked certain to nod in from close range. Guildford’s main threat was their “ginger-top” striker who regularly lost our defence by dropping deep to collect the ball and producing a number of quality passes but his team mates couldn’t take full advantage. The skipper had said he would be happy to get to half time level given the age of our central midfield (93!!!) and we duly delivered.

The introduction of fresh and youthful legs at half time sadly didn’t really change the pattern of the game and when the goals eventually came they went against the run of the play and against us. Despite a well taken goal from Bazza to bring us level we failed to push on to claim the victory and instead quickly fell behind for a second time. For all our huff & puff our strikers were feeding off scraps in the penalty area and well timed interceptions and blocks by Guildfordian defenders kept us at bay all the way to the final whistle – blown by a new (to the Wokes) and highly competent ref, Paz.

Goals timeline

HT 0-0

0-1 We are caught on the break when Wazza (ouch!) a midfielder misses an interception and the ball is move quickly to a Guildford striker on the right, who takes the ball round the keeper and rolls it into the empty net (where were the defence?)

1-1 Cracking equalizer as Henry and Sam both win vital headers and the ball drops nicely to Bazza who volleys home from 10 yards out

1-2 After Darryl has made a fine save, we are ALL asleep at the resulting corner and “ginger-top” is left totally unmarked (how could we not see him?) to head home.

Team: Darryl Duthie, Paul Szarvas Vaios Kotoulas, Joe Turner, Frazer Page , Craig Smith, Warren Smith (Tom Smith 60 ) Mike Edis (Sam Edis 45), Alex Gray (Henry Havard 70), Barry Clarkson, Edward Dam

MOM: Frazer for a fine all-round performance at left back, left mid and centre mid.

SPOON: Logic, although there was a scarcity of real spoon moments and this was a much a reaction to losing a game we feel we should have won and looking to find someone responsible when in truth it was a collective failure. Skipper has broad shoulders.

We need to pick ourselves up quickly for an early season 6 pointer against 100% winning start Tenisonians. Amazingly though we are still top of the division and a first class performance on Saturday can keep us there.

Mike Edis

17th October v Old Paulines IV ..................LOB Olympian Cup

Result Lost 3-1 Ed Dam

A defeat against a team in the division above us from which we can hold our heads high.
After a strong start by the home side, we got to grips with the game and put in an excellent first half display. Their first goal was a lapse in concentration but we fully deserved to be level at half-time and probably should have been in front. Goal descriptions from Mike/Sam with sarcastic notes added by Warren.

0-1 We are distracted questioning a free kick award and caught out by a quick take. Suspicion of hand ball on the control by their right winger but his early cross is bundled in by the striker.

1-1 Great play in the left back position by Logic (Wazza: yawn) switched defence to attack and Ed capitalised on an under hit back pass to beat the keeper with ease.

HT 1-1 (Wazza: Warren is substituted at half time)

Henry Havard attempts to tower over Old Paulines while Warren and Vee stand and watch !

We also did pretty well in the second half until they scored, after which our level tailed off a little while they finished strongly. Graham pulled off a string of good saves and they had one off the inside of the post, so they would say they deserved the win and should have scored more. But even at this point we had great chances from Craig and Joe which could have put a lot more pressure on them.

1-2 Poor goal conceded on the break when our attacking move breaks down. Swift play down our left and good cross to the far post is met by a clean header.

1-3 Another self destruct goal when we give the ball away too easily wide left and, although Graham makes a fine save from the first effort the rebound is tucked away clinically.

Paulines have put together a decent side that bears almost no resemblance to the team that finished 4th in our table last season, one could predict a new team from them at some point.

Team: Graham Lewis, Mike Edis, Vaios Kotoulas, Joe Turner, Alex Gray, Craig Smith, Warren Smith (Frazer Page 45), Sam Edis, Paul Szarvas, Henry Havard (Will Goodwin 75), Edward Dam

MOM: Warren for his first half performance (Wazza: this is more like it!) followed by Graham in goal and a couple for Joe.
Spoon: the captain won all votes bar his own for, amongst other things, an on-pitch appearance by his dog Holly (Wazza: being walked around the park by his Dad, who at 74 only gave up playing Vets football 9 years ago – God help us if Logic lasts THAT long!!!) Second place with 1 solid vote went to a demonstration of communication by the unnamed and unused substitute that made Vee look a dead-cert for the diplomatic corps. (Wazza: ouch!)

10th October v Old St Marys IV ..................AFC Div 10 S

Result Won 9-1 (Ed Dam 3, Sam Edis 2, Barry Clarkson 2, Craig Smith, Joe Turner)

This was a new Old St Marys team learning the ropes of playing 11-a-side football on a regular basis. We took advantage of their weaknesses, in particular a lack of experienced guiding hands and an inability to clear the ball out of their area. But there's the basis of a good thing going on there - a team with great attitude that came right back at us at the end and a fantastic brand new changing facility that is going to stand them in good stead going forward.

Nevertheless, we were excellent value for our win. All the organisation was there and all the mistakes from our last visit were not. A super first half performance in particular, which slackened off slightly as the second half progressed. As usual, goal descriptions coutesy of Mike and Sam. A set of quite scrappy goals, possibly all scored inside the 6 yard box.

1-0 Sam takes 2 mins to continue his scoring streak, bundling in a Craig corner.
2-0 Ed scrambles home after a melee in the 6 yard box from a Craig corner.
3-0 Sam finishes off from close range after an Alex corner.
4-0 Ed is unmarked to slot home from an Alex cross.
5-0 Great communication as Barry calls for a near post corner from Alex and heads home.

HT 5-0

6-0 Ed loops a close range header over the keeper to complete his hat-trick and Joe does the decent thing and doesn’t poach it on the line.
7-0 A true collector’s item as Craig gets the decisive touch on an Alex free kick and ref is well positioned to rule that the ball crosses the line before the keeper scrambles it out. Craig’s first goal for 3 years.
8-0 Good work from Ed sets up a snap shot from Sam and Barry poaches the rebound from the keeper’s fine save.
9-0 A fifth goal from a corner as Bertie Bassett works and Joe steers home Logic’s corner from close range.
9-1 Calamatous defending as first Logic clears direct to their striker, Mike can’t get his ample frame in the way, but Will does and the ball deflects passed a helpless Darryl.

Should have been:

9-2 Striker rounds Darryl and with just Will to beat on the line manages to hit the bar from 6 yards out.
9-3 Ball rebounds off the post and into Darryl’s arms after more suicidal defending sets a striker clear.
9-4 Darryl saves brilliantly at his near post from point blank range – defence gone AWOL.

Coming up this week, an LOB cup match away to Old Paulines, who coincidentally were at the same ground losing 5-2 to the O.S.M. 3s. The mathematics sound promising, but we've never managed to beat Paulines and we've not won a cup match since I joined the 7s. Can we pull it off?

Team: Darryl Duthie, Paul Szarvas, Vaios Kotoulas, Joe Turner, Pete Wolfe, Craig Smith, Warren Smith (Mike Edis 45), Sam Edis, Alex Gray (Will Goodwin 70), Barry Clarkson, Edward Dam

MOM: Ed for his hat-trick ahead of Sam and Barry.
Spoon: Craig "snitch" Smith, who on observing an O.S.M. substitute with a necklace diligently pointed this out to the referee and held up the game for 2 minutes. Not far behind were an exciting Tom and Jerry style chase between Will and a squirrel and Alex Gray for his impersonation of a dying swan's cry after going down in the box like a sack of a potatoes from a very minor looking challenge.

3rd October v Wandsworth Borough III ..................AFC Div 10 S

Result Won 5-3 (Pete Wolfe, Sam Edis 3, Paul Szarvas)

"Old Wokes in serious danger of having a youth policy"

Yet another major saga in the build up to the match as various players dropped out all the way up to and including the meet. Having pensioned off the now 17 year old Joe to the 6s to help out for a week, the immediate problem was how to cover for him. The answer was Sam Edis in defence, from which we learnt in the end that he's probably not as good there as he is in midfield. Another potential headline was "Will's Wacky Week" as he went from an EXTRA with no game at all (while nobly going to great lengths to help the 6s find a goalkeeper) to starting at right back, ironically releasing me from a potential ribbing from the absent regular if I made the slightest mistake in that position. Although happy with our starting 11, we really needed a sub who could play centre back and found one in Steve Hughes, another pay-off from pre-season. Ironically, he ended up playing at right back but there you go.

The game itself was a typical Wandsworth versus Wokes encounter, loads of decent endeavour, pretty watchable for the standard and yet another hatful of goals. We did really well going uphill, taking the lead (with a brilliant contribution from Pete Wolfe that he is far too modest to claim a goal for) but taking falling behind in our stride. The game changed when father and son swapped positions at which point we started to compete on more than equal terms with a previously dominant Wandsworth central midfield. Once again we have goal descriptions courtesy of Mike ...

1-0: Pete, defender and ball collide at the far post from a Craig corner and all end up in the net
1-1: Slick move opens us up on the right and striker finishes well first time across Darryl
1-2: Poor defending at near post from a long throw results in the ball hitting the Wand Boro player and going in
2-2: Switch of position pays immediate dividends as Sam heads home a Craig corner at the far post

HT 2-2

3-2: We are in dream land as Logic finds the top corner from 20 yards with a close the eyes, swing and hope volley (another Craig assist)
4-2: Sub Steve sends a howitzer down the keeper’s throat from distance and Sam gets his head to it first
4-3: Hesitant defending sees the ball spin up off Pete and striker’s combined challenge and trickle over the line
5-3: Clear penalty for handball. Sam steps up to complete his hat-trick and does – just – off the underside of the bar

Alternatively ... the third goal saw the captain delve into his normally empty top-drawer to convert a Craig cross for super goal, somewhat inspired by the free-kick practice with the 2nd team at training, that turned the tide in our favour. Another excellent goal by Sam for the fourth and eventually we got home with a excellent win over a decent side to remain top of the table.

Which just leaves one question ... did we miss our regular right back?

We have 3 teams with 100% records just behind us so it is far too early to do anything beyond enjoy where we are and dream. So far the teams in our division seem to be very evenly matched, unlike last season where two teams were far too good for everybody else. So the whole division could remain tight for some time to come with every team capable of surprising any other.

Team: Darryl Duthie, Will Goodwin (Steve Hughes 65), Sam Edis, Vaios Kotoulas, Pete Wolfe, Craig Smith, Mike Edis, Lee Murphy, Henry Havard, Edward Dam

MOM: Sam Edis by a landslide though everyone played very well.
Spoon: Jointly won before the game even started by comeback kid Henry who upstaged Wandsworth captain Leo's famous yellow boots with a pair of natty pink ones, and Vee who spotted our scouse keeper Karl in his full red regalia and then asked him if he was a Liverpool fan.

26th September v Old Meadonians VIII..................AFC Div 10 S

Result Won 8-3 (Ed Dam 3, Sam Edis 2, Joe Turner 2, O.G)

This encounter with my old club, featuring Chris Greening, Tony Ryan, Pete the Pole and Nathan Nicholson as well as captain Simon Gordon was closer than the scoreline suggests. We were able to capitalise on two factors, which in the end more than made up for Meads' ability to get through our defence for some decent goals.

Factor 1 was the way we got out of our starting blocks for a 2-0 lead within 10 minutes. Craig hit the post soon afterwards so we were good value for money too. But Meads plugged away and got back to 4-3 with 25 minutes to go. At that point factor 2 came into play. We employed a midfield with a combined age of 65 (work it out) and the goals flowed in - an excellent collective display of pace, movement and teamwork in which the pay-off from our 5 match pre-season was visible for all to see. The game also featured a terrific battle for aerial supremacy between Barry Clarkson and Tony Ryan and perhaps one of the easiest back pass decisions Warren will ever have to make. Mike helped me out on the goals so here goes ...

1-0 Sam lobbed keeper after running onto a long throw
2-0 Ed steered passed keeper after a sublime through ball from Mike
2-1 Good take and finish after Joe missed a header
3-1 Fabulous header from Sam after good work from Joe & Logic and a pinpoint cross from the skipper

HT 3-1

4-1 Defender (Tony Ryan) heads into own net under pressure from a long throw in from Sam
4-2 Another good finish after we failed to track a runner and a smart one two
4-3 No chance for Darryl after more good work sets up an easy finish
5-3 Joe header from a Frazer long throw
6-3 Joe drives in from edge of the area after goal mouth scramble falls kindly to him
7-3 Ed charges down a defensive clearance and creates a one on one for himself vs the goalie
8-3 Ed completes hat-trick after great work from Barry holding up the ball under pressure and producing an exquisite cross field diagonal pass to set Ed clear

Though there was always a chance, it was still a nice surprise to find ourselves top of the table. First time in about 12 years in my case. I'm printing it out while the going's good! A stern test next week away to Wandsworth who beat us 4-0 in pre-season and who lost 0-3 on Saturday to Meadonians 3s, the same score by which our 1s lost to the same team.

Team: Darryl Duthie, Simon Williamson, Vaios Kotoulas, Joe Turner, Pete Wolfe (Nathan Smith 45), Craig Smith, Mike Edis (Frazer Page 60), Sam Edis, Paul Szarvas (Danny Citakovic 65), Barry Clarkson, Edward Dam. Referee: Warren Smith.

MOM: Craig pipped Ed and Sam with the captain's casting vote.
Spoon: not many to choose from but Joe for his dubious "driving in my car" goal celebration.

19th September v Old Guildfordians V..................AFC Div 10 S

Result Drew 1-1 (Edis S)

Having played no less than six summer and pre-season friendly matches, surely we would be ready to start this season with a win against Shene at West Byfleet. But it's never easy is it? Shene cancelled the game on the Friday morning. So straight on the email (back) to Guildfordians, who had been blown out by Reigate the day before, could they get a team or numbers together for a friendly. One thing lead to another and hey presto, a league fixture away to Guildford organised in 2 hours flat.

Less organised was the clear-up of the home match cancellation and apologies are due to Ian Granger who turned up at West Byfleet to find no-one to referee and Sylvie who turned up with food for no opposition to eat.

So over to sunny Guildford to play a team who are happy to paint themselves as wooden spooners in a division that this season looks like it could be really even and close. Guildford have reduced by one team and the result was us playing a pretty solid team. We looked quite organised, decent enough passing, balls running off Barry's head and so on, but lacked penetration. On the other hand, they had a striker with bags of pace and after Tom just lost out on a 50/50 in the middle of the park, he was set loose and he duly converted.

Before and after that goal though, Guildford had to contend with the best player on the pitch - Darryl. I lose count of how many saves he made, but several of them were top drawer including fingertips to a ball heading inside the far post and using his momentum to hold the ball. Awesome stuff.

HT 0-1

Despite changing the front pairing at half-time we couldn't get that goal back but slowly we did start to get a little more on top going downhill. Their fast striker was still a constant threat and Mike came on to nullify him, which he did suficiently well to get a MOM vote.

Our cause was further aided when a Guildfordian unfortunately re-opened an eye injury with all substitutes used, leaving us playing against 10 men. Not an ideal way to win a game but the work still had to be done. Eventually a forward run by Joe came and his low shot was spilt by their keeper. Sam was alert and knocked in the rebound.

After this Guildford started to defend much deeper while trying to hit us on the break and they proved very stubborn to break down. They can safely forget about wooden spoons. In the end 1-1 was a pretty reflective result, but we could easily have lost without Darryl.

Though in the end, the game will be remembered for the fact that it was never meant to happen.

Team: Darryl Duthie, Simon Williamson, Vaios Kotoulas, Joe Turner, Pete Wolfe, Craig Smith, Tom Smith (Mike Edis 60), Sam Edis, Paul Szarvas, Barry Clarkson, Edward Dam (Lee Murphy 45)

MOM: Darryl
Spoon: Barry for a free-kick that ended up nearer the corner flag than the goal.