Old Aloysian’s Super Vets 5 v 1 Southgate County Super Vets
(O’Leary)

After a hard fought loss against a competitive Aloysian’s team last time out, County came into this game with a patch work side after a number of injuries & drop outs.
This meant that we had a new look back line with Kev Wakeling & Stu Norfolk starting as centre backs alongside the regulars – Lewis the cat plus Lovett & Wingrove providing the pacy (?!), overlapping fullbacks.
Burnham & Aldeiri gave us the artistry & industry (your guess is as good as mine…?!) in the middle of the park with Hassan & Kelly providing the width & trickery out wide, & O’leary & Anderson (Matrix) provided the teeth upfront.
Aloysians came through together as Vets over the last 15 years, & this showed in the first 15 mins as they dominated us & went 1 nil up. However, as we settled & Captain Cliff made a couple of tactical adjustments, we started to get a toe hold in the game. The backs got a hold of their forwards & with Burnham demonstrating his full repertoire of tricks & drag backs plus Aldeiri, Hassan & Kelly probing we had a number of chances.
Wakeling missed with a far post header from a corner &, when they ball fell kindly to him for a second time, could only hit the side netting. Arguably our best chance of the first half fell to Kelly; a beautifully flighted cross from the left by Hassan was met at the far post with a half volley by Kelly…. Surely he must score?! But no, a point blank save from the keeper kept him out! …he’ll have nightmares about that one…
So, after matching Aloysians better organisation & tactics with our hard work & industry, we came in at half time 1 nil down.
We competed for the first 20 mins of the second half with the defence clearing a number of attacks & our attack still looking dangerous, however, injuries started to take their toll as Wingrove, Norfolk & Kelly departed in short order for Kerby, Lamont & Fields thus emptying our bench early on.
The Oppo had far greater strength & depth on their bench & they arguably brought on stronger players through the second half. That bore fruit as they now dominated & scored two quick fire goals to go 3-0 up.
County weren’t sitting back though, as Hassan fed O’leary who placed a right footed shot from the right hand edge of the box into the bottom left hand corner of the goal. 3-1 & back on the game.
Out hopes were snuffed out shortly after though as Aloysians extended their lead to 4-1 whilst the heavens opened leaving both sides looking like drowned rats.
We continued to create half chances & Matrix was particularly unlucky with a combination of exhaustion & ghosts of the sniper denying him on a couple of occasions.
The Oppo played out the half with a greater degree of control than our tired limbs could cope with a scored the 5th goal to add gloss to their performance.
A valiant & determined performance from a patchwork County side was seen off by a stronger, fitter & more organised Aloysians side. Some great performances out there; with fantastic debuts from Wakeling & Norfolk at the back, a determined return from Burnham who ran his heart out whilst still displaying his hall mark drag backs (but no bicycle kicks!) & Matrix who played through-out the game with his dodgy knees (nothing wrong with them, they just look dodgy!).
Roll on the next game against Old Woods on the 29 Mar & then Finchleans on the 26 Apr – both of which should be far more balanced games.