Latymer Old Boys 2 - 5 Southgate County

Latymer Old Boys 2 – 5 Southgate County
(Sayers 2, Lamont 2, O’Leary)

Southgate faced a Latymer side on the same points as us in a mid-table battle on Saturday. There was a gale force wind at Enfield playing fields but considering the weather over the last few weeks the pitch wasn’t too bad at all.

Traffic congestion meant a far from ideal preparation for us and a limited warm up. Sure enough we looked half asleep for the first 10 minutes and fell behind after just 2 minutes. It was a well worked goal from Latymer to be fair, a decent move with some incisive passing and a powerful finish, however we were standing off them and applied no pressure on the ball. Too easy. We were second best for the next 10 minutes or so but then started to get on top. We created a couple of half chances before equalising after about 15 minutes. Some lovely football on the right hand side involving Kerby and Lamont saw O’Leary set free; he shimmied round the left back and then delivered a fantastic cross to the back post where the on-rushing Sayers brilliantly volleyed into the net; many players would have skied or missed the ball altogether! 5 minutes later we took the lead. Brilliant pressing from Sayers and James Thirgood saw us force mistakes from the Latymer defence and goalkeeper leaving James Lamont with a simple finish. After 25 minutes we made it 3. Again some nice football was played and Michael Coehurst played the ball to O’Leary on the left hand side of the Latymer box; O’Leary danced round his man and worked his way towards goal before bending the ball into the bottom corner. We were now rampant and just 5 minutes later scored a fourth. Again excellent pressing saw us win the ball and work to O’Leary on the halfway line; he played in Lamont who showed great pace, skill and strength to hold off defenders and run through on goal before walking the ball past the goalkeeper and into the net. We took our foot off the gas in the last 10 minutes of the half and Latymer had a better spell without really creating any clear chances.

We spoke at half time about ensuring we showed the same work rate and desire in the second half as the first and not making any stupid mistakes. Shamlian came on at half time for a run up top. Latymer flew out of the blocks in the first 5 minutes and only some good last ditch defending from us prevented any clear chances…it was a great day to be making sliding blocks! We again got a foothold in the game but were guilty of over-playing; people would beat one or two men and try and beat a third instead of playing it simple; or we were picking the wrong final pass. We scored a fifth after about 60 minutes though; Sayers played a wicked free kick into the box and although the keeper probably should have done better it was a great effort. To their credit Latymer didn’t give up and really came at us. The last half an hour was really stretched…Latymer were leaving plenty of men forward and attacking at pace constantly, as where for us it became a case of everyone wanting to get on the score-sheet. Latymer pulled a goal back through a penalty when Matt Paton slid in to make a tackle and the ball struck his arm whilst he was on the floor. We should have scored more but a combination of poor finishing, picking the wrong final ball and some good saves from the Latymer keeper prevented us from increasing our lead.

Overall a very good win, especially after the start we made. We played some great football at times and despite the conditions it was an enjoyable game. Man of the match was James Lamont who scored twice and showed great energy and quality throughout the game…but a good performance from all.

Team; Wallis, Kerby, Coehurst, Bellinger, Paton, Sayers, Lamont, O’Brien, Hicks, O’Leary, Thirgood, Shamlian.