Old Challoners v Phoenix Old Boys II's
LOB Intermediate Cup; round 1
Team: Williams; Lancaster, Maker (Cawley 65), Foster, Bevins R; Daw, Bevins P, Croker, Wickenden; Fitch, Beauchamp
Score: 3:1
Scorers: Daw (2), Croker
Nick Lancaster report
James Foster report
Playing against another side from a lower division, but again of an unknown quantity, saw a continued improvement in our performances as we firmly eradicate the memory of our defeat in the last league game earlier in the month.
Phoenix II's seemed to have youth and enthusiasm on their side but there is no substitute for experience as Challoners muscled their way into a 2 goal lead at half time. Playing a well drilled high line Phoenix nullified many of our attacks but were powerless to stop us taking the lead when an inch-perfect cross from Phil (Bevins) picked out Daw rising above the full back to nod over the keeper. Moments later Fitch's free kick was nodded onto the upright by Beauchamp but Daw followed up to make no mistake with the right knee to bag a brace.
Expecting an onslaught at the beginning of the 2nd half Challoners weren't disappointed, however the team stood firm and repelled everything Phoenix had to throw at them. That was until a speculative through ball bounced in favour of their centre forward and he was able to nod over the advancing Williams and into an empty net. A response was needed immediately and It came in the form of a long throw into the box which was allowed to bounce and in the panic a Phoenix defender nodded the ball past his keeper with Croker preventing any defenders getting back to clear by lying on the goal line. To their credit Phoenix didn't give up and kept coming back at us but Williams was rarely troubled, when they were able to bare down on his goal there was always a black and white shirt to snuff out any danger. Our reward is an away tie at Old Woodhouseians II's
Man-Of-The-Match - Phil Daw
THE LANCASTER VERDICT:
The strength in depth of the squad proves invaluable again as Lord, Beill, Weidner, Rae, Cadogan, Thomas, Dias, Smith, and Allen were all unavailable. Miss a game at your peril fellas….
With 4 of last weeks starting 11 unavailable through injury, including 3 of the back 4, the 2s squad was stretched this week for what, on paper at least, should have been a comfortable home cup tie. However, haven been taken to the wire by a team 4 divisions below the previous week OCs were right to be wary of a team 3 divisions below this week. A comfortable victory in the end but a spirited Phoenix performance meant the 2s had to be switched on at all times.
The game started with both teams on the front foot. Phoenix were not put off by the gap in divisions and were happy to commit men forward. However, they lacked the cutting edge to cause too many problems for the Challoner's defence and they left themselves exposed to counter attacks. Challoners were getting some joy down both flanks and should have been ahead midway through the first half after an attack down the left. Phoenix did not clear their lines properly and a Phil Bevins strike hit the foot of the post. Jim Croker reacted first, pulling the ball back for Neil Fitch to slot home from close range. Celebrations were soon muted as the ref disallowed the goal for offside despite Croker's pass going backwards.
It did not take long for OCs to get their noses in front after this set back. A fantastic Phil Bevins cross picked out the far post run of Phil Daw, who did really well to guide his header over the keeper and under the cross bar. A great goal to open his account for the club with. Soon after it was Daw who doubled the lead. A Neil Fitch free kick picked out James Beauchamp who saw his header hit the post and fall to Daw for a simple tap in. 2 - 0 at half time.
Challoners began to take their foot off a little and it took a Phoenix goal, albeit a fortunate one, to galvanise them in to action again. A long ball over the top of the defence towards a striker offside by a couple of yards at least appeared to be nothing more than hopeful as Jamie Williams and Richard Bevins converged on the danger, but a wicked bounce took the ball away from both and on to the head of the striker who's looping header was going wide until it took a bounce Shane Warne would have been proud off and rolled in to the unguarded net. Fortunate indeed, but on the whole Phoenix probably deserved a goal for their efforts.
The goal forced the 2s to up their game. Challoners had plenty of possession and Maker, Wickenden and later Beauchamp were enjoying plenty of space out on the left. It was a cross from the right, however, that led to the bizarre third goal. Under no pressure at all an opposition defender headed the ball towards his own goal, and with goalkeeper stranded Jim Croker snuck in. Appearing at first to try and head the ball in, he eventually lay down around the ball, shepherding it in to the corner and claiming a touch off his stomach. Benefit of the doubt to Jim but surely the Dubious Goals Panel would have a field day with this one. Phoenix refused to give up, and would surely have had a second goal if it wasn't for a wonderful last ditch tackle by Nick Lancaster.
The 2s have been winning games with hard work rather than guile this season, but there has been a marked improvement over the last couple of games. Saturday saw some really good patches of play, especially in the build up to the goals. Still better to come
Man of the match: A good all round performance but Phil Daw wins the coveted MoM award this week. Did his defensive work, but still got forward well and often and was rewarded with 2 goals in only his second appearance for club.
