Southgate County 1 - 2 Old Woodhouseians

Southgate County 1 – 2 Old Woodhouseians
(Urul)

After a difficult start to the season in Division 3 North; where despite competing well in every game Southgate had failed to register their first league win, we were hoping to get off the mark at home to Old Woods.

All 14 players were ready well in advance of kick off meaning a decent warm up and chat. Old Woods started the better side, trying to run the game through their captain in central midfield. We were fairly comfortable though and only looked vulnerable to the long ball over the top…but sweeper keeper Ryan was out quickly whenever needed. We failed to test the Old Woods keeper with a couple of long range efforts. We got on top in the last 15 minutes of the first half by upping our intensity and pressing Old Woods much higher up the pitch. They were trying to build from the back and play out from the keeper; as soon as we applied more pressure we were forcing mistakes and we were unlucky the ball didn’t fall more kindly when Urgan closed down the keeper well. A fairly even and scrappy first half finished goalless.

We made a couple of changes at half time and also made a change to our system. The first 15 minutes of the second half was very similar to the first half; we were just not showing enough composure on the ball, our decision making was poor and we just weren’t performing to the ability we have in the team. Old Woods had moved their influential captain from central midfield to the left wing and they were beginning to get on top. It had been coming when Old Woods took the lead about 20 minutes from the end…a nice one two on the left saw their captain come in from a tight angle and fire a low shot on goal; Ryan did well to save the effort but unfortunately the ball bounced up to leave a simple rebound header for the captain. Five minutes later we had a great chance to equalise when a delightful ball over the top from Mason saw Abdulliah clean through; unfortunately he completely miscued and the chance went. To sum up our day Old Woods went up the other end and immediately won a penalty. The captain slotted the spot kick home for his and Old Woods second of the game. Five minutes from the end we gave ourselves a lifeline with a goal that it will be hard to better all season. Ryan in goal rolled the ball out to Bellinger at centre back…he passed to Vahid at left back, into Deeno in midfield, back to Vahid, up to Zain, to Deeno who turned and played to Abdulliah coming forward from right back, he passed forward to Arnold who brilliant turned his marker…Arnold dummied the next man and played in Urgan who took one touch and fired low past the keeper. A really brilliant goal…built from the back, no one panicked, everyone picked their pass and the ball didn’t leave the floor. It really showed what we are capable of when we play. We had five minutes to find an equaliser and just wanted one chance and we got it…Arnold was played through on the right and from a tight angle skewed his effort into the side netting.

A frustrating defeat but over the course of the game probably just about the right result. Without creating many clear cut chances Old Woods were the better side. We just didn’t perform as we can. We have competed in every game so far this season…in a higher league. We aren’t far away from being a really good side but just not there yet.

Man of the match went to Dorian at left back…solid in defence, very composed on the ball and joined in well going forward.

Team; Kerby, Boadu, Bellinger, Thirgood, James D, Miloshi, O’Brien, Seedat F, Urul, James M, O’Leary, Seedat Z, Patel, Khalifa.