Post by greygraham on Mar 3, 2020 8:08:54 GMT
Kensington & Ealing 4 – 2 Godalming Town
One of the joys of being a supporter is to visit the various grounds and a new ground is always interesting. This visit was interesting, but the interest was wearing thin after the hour and a half that it took to get there. We could have made it up the M1 to some of the Isthmian League venues quicker than to Club des Sport, Acton??? What is that name all about?
But then there is also the excitement of finding who is on the team sheet when you arrive at the ground. We saw some new names last week who impressed and once again there were more new names to learn.
So, another mixed bag of players, some of the stalwarts who have been around for a few years including captain Rory Sellick and Don Hardisty and a hefty dollop of new names. But with Darren Wheeler and Donte Lodge-Francis apparently following Richie Mbelle and Reece Weeks to pastures new, we needed to find some suitable replacements. I have to say that Phil Ruggles and his team seem to have found a good supply of players who show much promise. A veritable cornucopia of talent you could say.
The weather was looking good when we arrived with the 3G pitch bathed in sunlight. That did not last for long. After an equally bright start from the Gs pot-pourri of players, within about seven minutes the home side went one up, putting something of a damper on the optimists amongst us. But the Gs supporters and the heavenly choir and massed band that has augmented them in the last few weeks would not be put down by that.
Even when we were two nil down the support did not waiver. It was a good move by the home number 11 who is a very good player, tall, very quick, with good feet, (two of them) and he got down the wing before pulling the ball into the centre beautifully, where a teammate was completely unmarked and hit a powerful shot that gave Adrian no chance. Rather reminiscent of one Jamie McClurg who used to come up with some similar goals for the Gs many seasons back.
We were then treated to rain that turned to a heavy shower of hail. But during that we saw a bit of a comeback from the Gs, when Jordan Cavender hit a powerful shot that the K & E keeper was unable to deal with effectively, turning the ball away to his left. The ball was loose and the fast reactions of Dexter Skipp saw him beat the defenders to the ball and he squeezed it through a couple of defenders on the line and into the net from a tight angle.
So, one goal back and that put a bit more spring in the step of the Gs team, realising they were still in it. Things then got even better for us when the Gs were awarded a free kick outside the area and to the left of the K&E goal. Roberto De Santos lined it up and hit a cracking shot that curled into the net on the left of the home stopper. Back to 2-2 now and a bit more nervousness creeping into the K& E play.
No doubt however that K & E are a good side with a multitude of players who are quick and big upfront and some more tall chunky defenders who are not frightened to get involved and know how to use their size when defending. Probably one of the best sides that I have seen I think and it makes you wonder why they are not further up the League. They do have a few games in hand on some of their competition.
So, we were heading towards half time all square once again. But we know what tends to happen at around half time. And it happened again. In fairness it was a good run through the middle of the Gs defence by a player who seemed to get a few lucky breaks as he wove his way through the Gs defenders. Somehow, despite the attentions and tackles, he got the rebounds that set him up to put the ball past Adrian when he was one on one and restore the lead at 3-2 for the home side at half time.
Charlie Chennel came on for Jordan Cavender early in the second half to bolster the midfield and made an impact straight away. Then, after some promising work in approach play, the Gs conceded a corner on their right flank. The ball was lofted in towards the far post and it appeared to be floating harmlessly wide when, in the strong wind, it seemed to drop and hit the inside of the far post just below the crossbar and bounced in. A fourth for K&E.
At times the Gs gave the ball away sloppily in the defence, which was disappointing. Adrian again kept us in it with a couple of good reaction saves.
Sam Taylor had looked pretty solid at centre back, but was substituted for Miles Davidson-Townsend.
Shariff Madeebo also came on for Tom Cowan. Again, his pace and nimble footwork out wide produced some chances. Most notably when he worked his way through and found himself one on one with the home keeper who went full length to block Shariff’s shot. Not long after Jahmal got in a fine shot from the edge of the area, which the home keeper pushed clear to his right. The ball fell to Andrew Tarrant out wide on the left and he got a good shot in from a wide angle but that went past the far post.
We failed to get a point against a strong side, but I have to say I am pleased at the quality of the players that Phil and his crew have introduced in the last two games. Jahmal seems to be settling in at number nine, while Roberto has certainly made an impact as a wide player and Dexter who we saw for the first time today also seems to be a great find.
The players who have formed the backbone of the team more recently i.e. Adrian Giles, Reegan Scotcher, captain Rory Sellick, Andrew Tennant, Raisan Francis, Jordan Cavender, Charlie Chennel all performed well once again.
I realise that with new players it will take time for them to settle and we really don’t have time. I think there is a real chance that we can surprise a few teams and pick up points, but we also need a bit of luck from the footballing Gods.
COYG’s
One of the joys of being a supporter is to visit the various grounds and a new ground is always interesting. This visit was interesting, but the interest was wearing thin after the hour and a half that it took to get there. We could have made it up the M1 to some of the Isthmian League venues quicker than to Club des Sport, Acton??? What is that name all about?
But then there is also the excitement of finding who is on the team sheet when you arrive at the ground. We saw some new names last week who impressed and once again there were more new names to learn.
So, another mixed bag of players, some of the stalwarts who have been around for a few years including captain Rory Sellick and Don Hardisty and a hefty dollop of new names. But with Darren Wheeler and Donte Lodge-Francis apparently following Richie Mbelle and Reece Weeks to pastures new, we needed to find some suitable replacements. I have to say that Phil Ruggles and his team seem to have found a good supply of players who show much promise. A veritable cornucopia of talent you could say.
The weather was looking good when we arrived with the 3G pitch bathed in sunlight. That did not last for long. After an equally bright start from the Gs pot-pourri of players, within about seven minutes the home side went one up, putting something of a damper on the optimists amongst us. But the Gs supporters and the heavenly choir and massed band that has augmented them in the last few weeks would not be put down by that.
Even when we were two nil down the support did not waiver. It was a good move by the home number 11 who is a very good player, tall, very quick, with good feet, (two of them) and he got down the wing before pulling the ball into the centre beautifully, where a teammate was completely unmarked and hit a powerful shot that gave Adrian no chance. Rather reminiscent of one Jamie McClurg who used to come up with some similar goals for the Gs many seasons back.
We were then treated to rain that turned to a heavy shower of hail. But during that we saw a bit of a comeback from the Gs, when Jordan Cavender hit a powerful shot that the K & E keeper was unable to deal with effectively, turning the ball away to his left. The ball was loose and the fast reactions of Dexter Skipp saw him beat the defenders to the ball and he squeezed it through a couple of defenders on the line and into the net from a tight angle.
So, one goal back and that put a bit more spring in the step of the Gs team, realising they were still in it. Things then got even better for us when the Gs were awarded a free kick outside the area and to the left of the K&E goal. Roberto De Santos lined it up and hit a cracking shot that curled into the net on the left of the home stopper. Back to 2-2 now and a bit more nervousness creeping into the K& E play.
No doubt however that K & E are a good side with a multitude of players who are quick and big upfront and some more tall chunky defenders who are not frightened to get involved and know how to use their size when defending. Probably one of the best sides that I have seen I think and it makes you wonder why they are not further up the League. They do have a few games in hand on some of their competition.
So, we were heading towards half time all square once again. But we know what tends to happen at around half time. And it happened again. In fairness it was a good run through the middle of the Gs defence by a player who seemed to get a few lucky breaks as he wove his way through the Gs defenders. Somehow, despite the attentions and tackles, he got the rebounds that set him up to put the ball past Adrian when he was one on one and restore the lead at 3-2 for the home side at half time.
Charlie Chennel came on for Jordan Cavender early in the second half to bolster the midfield and made an impact straight away. Then, after some promising work in approach play, the Gs conceded a corner on their right flank. The ball was lofted in towards the far post and it appeared to be floating harmlessly wide when, in the strong wind, it seemed to drop and hit the inside of the far post just below the crossbar and bounced in. A fourth for K&E.
At times the Gs gave the ball away sloppily in the defence, which was disappointing. Adrian again kept us in it with a couple of good reaction saves.
Sam Taylor had looked pretty solid at centre back, but was substituted for Miles Davidson-Townsend.
Shariff Madeebo also came on for Tom Cowan. Again, his pace and nimble footwork out wide produced some chances. Most notably when he worked his way through and found himself one on one with the home keeper who went full length to block Shariff’s shot. Not long after Jahmal got in a fine shot from the edge of the area, which the home keeper pushed clear to his right. The ball fell to Andrew Tarrant out wide on the left and he got a good shot in from a wide angle but that went past the far post.
We failed to get a point against a strong side, but I have to say I am pleased at the quality of the players that Phil and his crew have introduced in the last two games. Jahmal seems to be settling in at number nine, while Roberto has certainly made an impact as a wide player and Dexter who we saw for the first time today also seems to be a great find.
The players who have formed the backbone of the team more recently i.e. Adrian Giles, Reegan Scotcher, captain Rory Sellick, Andrew Tennant, Raisan Francis, Jordan Cavender, Charlie Chennel all performed well once again.
I realise that with new players it will take time for them to settle and we really don’t have time. I think there is a real chance that we can surprise a few teams and pick up points, but we also need a bit of luck from the footballing Gods.
COYG’s