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Sat 17 Oct 2015
Old Magdalenians II
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Southgate County  FC
Southgate County 2nd Team
D Oleary (65')
Old Magdalenians II 1 - 1 Southgate County II

Old Magdalenians II 1 - 1 Southgate County II

Damien O'Brien21 Oct 2015 - 15:18
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O’Leary rescues point to end barren run in front of goal…

Old Magdalenians 1 – 1 Southgate County
(O’Leary)

Southgate travelled to Old Mags in Tufnell Park for an early 1.30 kick off on Saturday in the hope of a more enjoyable game than our last outing against Parms.

Late arrivals, including people walking to the wrong pitch and others needing to buy new boots meant that we did not have much of a warm up. It showed with what was one of the worst kick offs I have ever witnessed. We just dallied on the ball, lost it and gave away a free kick. Whilst still bemoaning the start, Mags played the free kick into the box where their number 9 was on hand to slot home. It was poor all round and really demonstrated the need to arrive on time to prepare for the game. 1 down with barely 60 seconds on the clock. It took about 10 minutes for us to get into the game; Mags were definitely the hungrier side earlier on. However to our credit we did work our way into the game and began to take a grip. We won countless corners and throws near the box (as good as a corner with Michael Coehurst playing) but despite numerous good deliveries we didn’t take advantage. We just weren’t gambling enough on second balls or attacking first balls with enough conviction. The ball did break to Michael Coehurst in the box halfway through the first half but he scuffed his shot wide. About 5 minutes before half time Coehurst went on a mazy run from the left back position beating 3 or 4 players before firing in a powerful low shot destined for the bottom corner only for the Mags keeper to make a strong save. It wasn’t all us but for the most part the only danger was long balls from Mags which we dealt with relatively comfortably. Half time and we were 1 down.

At half time Djelssy Matudi came on for his debut as well as Declan O’Leary to add some weight up top. Mags started the second half much the stronger side and were now playing some really good football; they were keeping the ball down, working it wide and attacking us with pace. We were struggling to get into the game despite our continued good work rate. We were getting more and more stretched but after 65 minutes Mags started to tire. Despite their strong 20 minutes Ryan Kerby in goal wasn’t particularly forced into any saves of note. We were defending quite well…demonstrating that the art of correct positioning counts for so much. We equalised with about 15 minutes to go and it was an ‘I was there moment’. A great fluent passing move saw the ball worked up the pitch, incisive one touch passing led to a lovely one-two between Djelssy Matudi and Ken Middleton, ending with Matudi playing a delightful reverse pass to Middleton on the edge of the box; Middleton hit a 20 yard curler that was destined for the top corner but the ball curled too much at the last minute and came back of the inside of the post…the ball rebounded to Declan O’Leary, 6 yards out with an open goal (the keeper was grounded after diving for Middleton’s shot)…after 2 and a half years without a goal, many thought O’Leary would never have the feeling of hitting the back of the net again…even he had expressed self-doubt…it had affected his all-round confidence as a man…which was particularly evident on the clubs pre-season tour to Berlin. As the ball rebounded to O’Leary some of our players were already cursing him for skying the ball over the bar but no…he calmly volleyed home to finally score again. The last 15 minutes was fairly even and we created a couple of half chances; the best seeing O’Leary head wide at the back post…it didn’t take long for him to re-discover his touch…

A really enjoyable game; as a squad we worked incredibly hard for the point and I think it was probably a fair result overall. Both teams had patches when they were on top and at times showed quality. Man of the match for the second week running was Ken Middleton who was a class above from most other players on the pitch and was very unlucky to not score a screamer…although if it went in Dec would still be waiting.

Team; Kerby, Marchant, O’Brien, Thirgood J, Coehurst, Mensah, Middleton, Thirgood B, Frame L, Nelson, Danso, O’Leary, Matudi.

Match details

Match date

Sat 17 Oct 2015

Kickoff

13:30

Meet time

11:45

Instructions

Please meet at Clubhouse for 11.45am
Or
Ground for 12.30pm
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