Old Challoners V Old Salvatorians 3

Team: Van Nistelrooy; Beill, Weidner, Croker, Lord; Beauchamp (Foster,87), Bevins P, Daw, Rae (Smith, 50); Fitch, Thomas

Score: 1:1
Scorers: Beauchamp

Disappointing is just about the only word that can describe this result. An improved performance on the previous week wasn't enough to secure all three points as our inability to turn good positions into goal scoring opportunities continues to be a problem. This wasn't a case of missing chance after chance but more of not being able to choose the right final ball and maybe being guilty of trying to play a killer pass rather than being patient and working opportunities. Having said all this we were robbed of the points as we had the game won but the referee (a Salvos player) decided to prolong his final minute indefinitely as his side were on the attack despite having put the whistle in his mouth to bring the game to an end on several previous occasions.

The away fixture at Salvos started in familiar fashion as we were informed that the referee had vanished into thin air just prior to kick off (well it is panto season after all) but it was ok because they would do it themselves…! To be fair to the two who did ref they actually did a reasonable job apart from one poor offside decision early in the match when Tom was clean through and then getting involved in slanging matches with players on both sides throughout the second half. Add to this the midweek confusion between the manager and 1 member of the squad over whether they were required or not and another no show from one of our most consistent players so far this season (if he's reading this 'your team needs you sort it out!').

The first half kicked off in freezing conditions causing the Challoners faithful to put two hats on and 5 layers but spirits remained high. It was a fairly even start with few clear cut opportunities the better chances were falling to Salvo's but poor finishing ensured the score remained goalless. Challoners slowly started winning the midfield battle and it was through a very neat move on the left that we took the lead. Some quick one touch passing beautifully opened up the oppo like a hot knife through butter for Weidner to provide an inviting cross for Beauchamp to run onto and head down powerfully into the bottom corner 1-0. Almost immediately from the re-start Fitch tried to put Beauchamp through on goal but the ball was agonisingly a fraction out of reach otherwise it could well have been our second. Just before the half time whistle Salvos created some decent chances mainly from dead ball situations the closest requiring Bevins to get his head in the way of a goal-bound effort but the score remained 1-0 until half time.

The second half was totally dominated by Challoners in terms of possession and territory but in terms of chances the best ones probably fell to Salvos, the much improved Beill (presumably not at Winkers until 4am Friday) cleared off the line and a Salvos player blazed over when it was harder to miss. A rasper from Fitch shaved the upright and a long range effort from Beill two of our 2nd half highlights but we failed to increase our lead. Time and again we wasted promising opportunities but it looked like we were going to ride our luck again this season and come away with a victory. We hadn't bargained for the referees generosity however and as the ball was punted forward Lord mis-kicked and then there was a pile up involving Ruud, Croker and the Salvo centre forward from which he was first to react and role the ball into the empty net. Queue kick off and the final whistle 1-1!

Man-Of-The-Match - Lord rarely looked troubled despite playing alongside his fifth central defensive partner of the season.

THE LANCASTER VERDICT:
Drawing against a side much weaker than the one we had beaten 4-0 earlier in the season is a bitter pill and possibly highlights the good fortune we had on our side at the beginning of the season.

Had we won we would have been sat proud on top of the league with games in hand as it is we are still in a good position and have only lost once in our first seven games leaving us just 2 points from top spot. Roll on the New Year and a new ruthless Challoners side that starts to spank all teams before them!

Report by Nick Lancaster

Manager's comments;

Some moments of really good football interspersed with a lot of bad stuff. A slick passing move involving 5 players led to a sumptuous cross from Stu Weidner which was clinically finished off by James Beauchamp. While this should have provided the impetus for the 2s to go on and kill the game off it strangely did not. Challoner's were far too wasteful in possession. You can't create chances if you don't have the ball. MoM this week, despite dropping a bollock in the final seconds with a mid air kick, was Gary Lord, who was dominant at the back for 90 minutes.