Old Challoners V Old Danes Reserves
Saturday 25 February

Team: Williams; Maker (Summerlin, 45),Lancaster, Beill, Lord; Smith, Bevins P, Dias, Weidner; Thomas, Fitch

Score: 1:0
Scorers: Smith

Danes at home in Acton is always a different prospect to playing them on their travels. They only managed to bring ten players to Hervines two weeks ago. This week they had the full 14 plus spares. Gaffer Foster could only look on with envy as he still only had 12 of his regular squad to choose from, although this was an improvement from the 9 in the previous week.

As kick off time came and passed with still no sign of the opposition keeper, again, it became evident that this was not going to be a great game of football. The pitch appeared to be reasonable, but appearances can be deceptive as a warm up kick about showed it had more bobbles than a….er….bobbly thing. A howling gale also meant any ball in the air was going to beat equally unpredictable. Once the goalkeeper turned up and the game kicked off the 2s were soon cursing their luck that the opposition number 1 had arrived as he produced a string of saves to deny Challoners on several occasions. On the occasions he was beaten a Danes defender was on hand to clear off the line. Frustrated at being denied a deserved lead Challoners could have found themselves behind. The Danes' long ball was holding up in the wind and causing havoc but clear scoring chances were halted by excellent interventions from Beill and Maker. No score at half time.

The second half started as the first ended. Challoners were enjoying the better possession and looked the more likely to score. Nick Smith was terrorising the Danes defence down the right. He finally opened the scoring with a thunderbolt half-volley from the left hand side of the penalty area after Danes failed to clear a corner. The game became a scrappy affair after this, but with Danes trying to get forward Challoners produced all the decent football. Nick Smith again left the Danes defence bewitched as he sliced his way in to the penalty area. A cynical trip from behind would have left Arjen Robben rolling around for hours, but Smith was too honest, staying on his feet but with momentum gone he was unable to get a decent shot away. Next Neil Fitch latched on to a Dias through ball, skipped round defender and goalie neatly, but pulled his shot wide from an angle. Finally Paul Thomas was put clear by Phil Bevins but his attempted lob of the keeper dropped wide. As Danes' temper frayed and bookings began being dished out to their players Challoners remained resolute to grab an important 3 points. A good job done in difficult conditions. The gloss taken off the result somewhat for Foster in the changing rooms when it transpired 3 players were not going to be around the following week.

Man of the match
this week goes to Nick Smith. Looked dangerous every time he got the ball and made Danes' left back look as inadequate as Del Horno. His goal secured the points and it was worthy of winning any game.