After our week off, County entertained Albanian. Having played them earlier in the season, getting beaten 3-1, revenge was on the cards.
The school pitch was looking good for late Jan, having been cut. Simple things sometimes make the biggest difference!

We welcomed back Alex Molloy, after his cricket coaching course. Ruben Kwami after a self imposed exile and with Mason James not working, we had another strong 14.

After our disappointing performance and result against Old Woods a quick and confident start was required.

County started with our usual 4-5-1 formation, kicking off right to left. A slight re-shuffle saw Steve Nichols moved to the right of our 5 and Kieran Mbala return to the middle 3.

Even first 10 saw both sides struggle to really get going. Need to get our fast start to games sorted!

On 10 minutes some awful defending at a corner led to Albanian going 1 up. We had 3 attempts to clear and a final Matt Wright defensive clearance / pass to an Albanians player, saw the later finish into the bottom corner. 0-1

Simply not the fast start we had been expecting.

The next 15 minutes we couldn't get ourselves going, bad decisions and stupid play just stop us getting any momentum and we kept giving the ball away, after hard work getting it back.

A couple of good Alex Molloy saves kept the score at 1-0.

Then after a 5 minutes good spell we forced a corner. Cam Wallis delivered, Matt Wright headed against the bar, the rebound fell to Kieran Mbala who headed back across goal and Steve Fahey finished, in a crowed 6 yard area. 1-1

No action followed and we went in even.

HALF-TIME 1-1

Not at our best but we had come in even. Good half-time chat about being better and taking the game to Albanian.

Even first 10 minutes.

On 15 minutes and Cam Wallis delivered a sublime 30 yard free-kick into the path of Steve Fahey, who saw his first effort saved but finished with the rebound. 2-1.

Sub - Ruben Kwami replaced Steve Nichols.

We were on top

Then on 18 minutes we went further ahead. Simple one this time. A Cam Wallis corner was met by an unmarked Kieran Mbala who headed home. 3-1

Now playing with confidence! A Cam Wallis free-kick saw the keeper save well

Sub - Julian Boadu replaced Kieran Mbala

We were now bossing the game and their goby number 9 was getting frustrated.

Sub - Mason James replaced Matt Wright.

A final flurry saw another Cam Wallis free-kick find the on-rushing Steve Fahey but he glanced his header wide. Should have scored.

Final action saw the goby 9 sent to the sin bin and Albanian had the last 10 minutes with 10 men. We didn't punish them but easily saw the game out.

FULL TIME - 3-1

We had our nervy moments but a strong second half performance saw us come out on top. Must improve our focus around our start to games, especially with a strong and decent Old Salvatorians coming up next.

County (4-5-1): Alex Molloy, Erhan Altunc, Neil Spackman(c), Luke Kelly, Bradley Doherty, Steve Nichols, Cam Wallis, Kieran Mbala, Chris Westwood, Matt Wright, Steve Fahey.
Subs - Julian Boadu, Mason James, Ruben Kwami

Referee: Nicholas Nicolaou

Attendance - 5

MoM - Cam Wallis - Mr Assist. Great set piece delivery and really influenced our game

Donkey - Steve Nichols - Not been at his best the last few weeks. Big man needs a big game!