BOB’s VIEW

…………..how does he get round all those matches !!

25th October 2009


Welcome to this week’s “View”.

The Cups are really on the go now and in the London County Cup we saw Paul Birch triumph away from home over Junior Sports 2-3 after extra time where the score was 2-2. Lullingstone won away as well with an excellent 0-4 win over Westminster Wanderers. Belvedere Royals lost to our Bromley Hill 2-4 also after 2-2 at full time. VN were no match for Tristars and Deloitte and lost 6-1. Petts Wood lost out his week as Bromley Knights won 2-3 after extra time and yet once again 2-2 at full time.

In our own cups we saw a full list of matches. In the Jack Standen Round One, Napoli Soccer failed to impress as Lombard Phoenix won 1-3 and Otford Colts kept their cup run going with a 2-1 win over Valley Valiants Res. S E Twente also had problems as Beckenham Imps won 0-3. In the Smales’ Trophy Prelim Round Horton Kirby lost out to St. Germains 1-2 and Keston Phoenix found Swanley Cardinals in good form as the latter won comfortably 1-5. So to the Smales Trophy Round One and Fairfield Res lost 1-2 to Orpington Rovers ( nice to get a win under your belts guys!) and The Flames scorched North Kent Rangers with a 6-0 win. Freelands lost to Euro United 1-3 whilst Midway Res lost 2-9 to FC Wasps. Paul Birch Res beat Cudham United ‘A’ 7-3 and Starks Park Rover lost out to Biggin Hill S & S 1-4. “Sunshine” Mark Freeman (if he was in goal of course) probably got backache as VS Bexley lost 3-7 to a workmanlike performance from Shortlands Athletic. Woolwich Arsenal lost 0-3 to Dartford.

Over now to the League and in the Senior Division where Centresports United had some woes as Defiance had a great win 1-5 to open a lead at the top. EPR and Catford CC ground out a 2-2 draw whilst a similar scoreline saw Eltham Town and FC Bickley fail to dent the Defiance lead in the table. Lessa Albion at the bottom finally got some points as they beat championship contenders Hatcham 3-1 – don’t worry guys everyone has a bad day at the office – you just don’t want too many !! Finally Vista and Keyworth shared the spoils with a 1-1.

In the Premier Div Centresports United Res and Valley Valiants drew 1-1 whilst Coney Hall were held at home by Leabridge 3-3. Kenningwell United had a good win as they thumped Goldsmiths United 6-0. AFC Orpington beat Centaurs 3-1 but Golden Ronnie’s Prince of Wales failed against Midway and lost 2-3 – close though !

To Div One now, and The Blues thrashed Cudham United 6-1 and FOBG were held to a 1-1 draw with Eltham Progress. Lessa Albion Res were beaten at home 1-4 by Ex Blues.

Division Two saw EPR Res losing 0-3 to FC Elmstead and Kings Park Rangers lost 0-3 at home to Eltham Town Res. We see the return of my spies as Orchard took on Fairfield. Sadly missed but a welcome return these “spies” stand out in all weathers gleaning match info – it’s good to have them back – mind you they would have got a sun tan today !
After a slow start from both sides it was Fairfield that drew first blood when a poor defensive clearance left  the Fairfield striker with an unmissable chance who slotted it in for a 0-1 lead on 16 minutes.  At 33 minutes from a long ball clearance to the edge of the area, Michael Smalls squared the ball into Nathan who then curled the ball round the keeper for 1-1. With the last kick of the first half after a goal kick an unchallenged header found a striker with just the keeper to beat which he duly did to make it 1-2 at half time. The second half started the same way the first ended with Fairfield winning most of the 50-50 chances and with that little bit more zest they made Orchard pay on 65 minutes with another poor clearance and an easy chance well taken goal for 1-3.  On 70 minutes after a midfield battle the ball found “Spud” who slotted the ball into the box for Lee Poet to make a bit more of an effort to win, so 2-3.  Then yet again another poor defensive error found the ball not being cleared and Fairfield pushed the score out of reach to make it 2-4.

Now Div Three Connaught Blues beat New South 2-0, Eltham Town ‘A’ beat Sydenham Sports by a similar score – come on Mark Jordan gee them up a bit !!! London City beat Kenningwell United Res 4-1, a nice victory.

So to Division Four and Cudham United Res played EPR ‘A’. The “evergreen” Phil Sampson tells me that this week is his 735th game for Cudham which has to be some sort of record. When he scored last week it was his 299th goal for them as well. Keep on going Phil, I will only reach 600 appearances for the league at Xmas 2009. And what a game – a 4-4 draw – but did Phil score his 300th goal – watch this space ........... EC United had a quiet 1-1 draw against Kingsdale .

In Division Five my game was Bromley Eagles against AFC Lessa Christchurch and what a good game it was too. Lessa playing with a style that suggests they should not be in the League position they are and Eagles turning in a fine performance too. It was an excellent game of football, no cards shown, with players willing to get on with it rather than constantly berate the match official for their own shortcomings. Lessa took the lead on 20 mins with Eagles looking second best. This served as a “wake up” call for Eagles as they came back at Lessa and drew level after 27 minutes. The scores stayed the same until half time with neither side capitulating in midfield. But the game did not turn into a dour struggle it ebbed and flowed with some exciting football being played with only the wind trying to spoil the encounter. On 67th minute Eagles finally broke the Lessa resistance and scored again in 74th minute following a hotly disputed penalty being turned down by yours truly. Further goals in 83rd and 87th minute meant the outcome was 5-1 but although Eagles took the chances presented if you looked to the other end some of their defending against a determined Lessa attack was definitely “backs to the wall” and the scoreline does Lessa no justice as they really played well. Thanks to all 27 players for a good Sunday morning’s football

See you all next week,

Bob.