FINCHAMSTEAD - 20TH FEB 2011
Yesterday was a great game with a load of monkey off the back / demons to rest scenarios.
We have played this venue 4 times and somehow never managed to win. The closest we ever got was a 3-3 draw, a match where we were winning 3-0 with 20 mins to go, and then they went down to 10 men and somehow ended up drawing 3-3. in fact i even saved a penalty in that game, so could of been worse!! But safe to say this pitch is cursed.
but anyways, back to yesterday.
To tell you the truth it was a bit of a struggle to get 11 out there, only just managing to secure the magic 11th member 30 mins before kick off, but the mix of players certainly seemed to be perfect with everyone playing their desired positions and this showed. The football was back to being champagne football and was a pleasure to watch! Finch didn't get close to the ball the whole game from start to finish.
However anyone who didn't believe in the curse would of believed its existence as with only 20 mins to go on the clock the score was somehow still 0-0. Their keeper made a couple of saves and a shot cleared off the line, but the beggar of a ball just would not go home!!
The breakthrough happened though when manuel was felled in the area for a penalty. It was clear that we probably would not get another chance to score such was the game up til now, so the importance of this kick was pretty much as full on as you get. So Dan the man stepped up, who after his penalty miss of a few weeks ago a bit low of confidence said he would not take them again, grabbed the ball put it down and drilled it home for the first monkey of the day to go.
Then the flood gates opened. Gavin, who earlier in the week said he felt his place was on the bench these days due to (unfounded) low confidence wrapped up a stunning performance with his first goal for the club and probably goal of the month from just inside the area. He then added to his cv by also making a goal line clearance and by setting up the 4th goal, which Dodson gobbled up.
In between those two goals came Hobson's second, a faint flick on header from a great Simon Richardson ball in.
Great game!! Final score 4-0. The Finchamstead curse now lifted.
WARFIELD - 29TH JAN 2011
Those of you that saw the game last weekend against Queens Head would of been forgiven for thinking that would of probably gone down as the game of the season, but yesterdays game blew that one well and truely out of the water, and one that will be hard to top considering the level of opposition. A team that had only lost one game in the league, that was until yesterday.
We played great football, amazing considering the pitch was probably the worst we have ever played on. The freezing conditions made every bobble (which was roughly a trillion of them0 impossible to judge the line or bounce of anything along the floor, but it just showed how freakin class you guys are!
Anyways we pretty much dominated the whole of the first half, but was not able to break the deadlock and the half finished 0-0. We knew the first goal would be vital to get and set off for the second half in the same fashion as the first. as the clock ticked down it looked like it was going to finish as a a hard fought draw, but disaster struck on around the 75th minute. Someone managed to misjudge a cross and presented Warfield with what looked like the opportunity to take all three points.
But no! Again character was shown and Cali managed to drag themselves back around the 83rd minute when Croxford was buggard to the ground in the area. Upstepped Si Richardson. The keeper guesses the right way, but could not get close to it as the ball squeezed in.
From this point on there was only one winner and win it they did as Gawain sent a cross into the box for Croxofrd to leap up and nod it in to take the spoils of what was at one point a bleak situation.
Great game, final score 2-1! Up to 5th in the table.
QUEENS HEAD - 15TH JAN 2011
Unfortunately we lost yesterday, to one of our bogie teams!
We were below average the first half, and went into the break 2-0 down.
Second half we were a lot better and dominated the game. We had a penalty to get us back into the game, but this was to proove it wasn't our day when it was pulled just wide of the goal.
We kept pressing and got a goal back through a bullet header from Mark Doherty off a Brown corner.
Jack came close with a header off the bar and Croxford also made their keeper pull off a good save to keep the score 2-1.
AFC DUKES 8th Jan 2010
We fielded one if not the strongest squad we have ever put out yesterday, and manage to start the year with a positive result, which ended the worst ever goal drought ever.
The first goal for about 3 months came when Gawain sent one of his trade mark crosses into the box for Josh to leap like a salmon and head the ball into the top corner. Calfridus were by far the better team of the half and kept producing a number of half chances, but did not manage to convert any more before the break. In fact Dukes against the run of play managed to nick one before the break when a de lap long throw was not dealt with and the oncoming forward took his chance to level things up.
At half time we knew that we just needed to keep going and the points would surely be safe, and that what we did, well for the fist half hour of it anyways!
Jack was chopped down in the area to earn an early penalty for Calfridus. Si Richardson stepped up to slot the ball home to make it 2-0.
Soon after Croxford showed good strength to barge past the Dukes defence to set up Josh's second of the day.
Not too long after that Croxofrd was in the action yet again managing to capitalise on some dodgy defending to put the game surely to rest.... well that's what we thought. The only way Dukes would get anything from this game would be scoring from the restart... which they pretty much did via a very dubious penalty.
A few mins later they then managed to grab another to make the last few mins a typically nail bitting finish, but thats the way we like it!!
In the dying seconds Dukes sent everying incliding their keeper up to try and salvage a point, but this just meant that a kick punt down the field to Josh meant he was able to put the game fully to rest with his third of the day to make the final score 5-3.
KEEPHATCH - 31ST OCT 2010
not brilliant. We only started the game with 10 men due to a couple of late pull outs. Keephatch made their advantage count and when ahead with a fairly early goal. Thankfully Manual took up a late call and by the 25th minute of the game we were up to 11 men, and the game started to swing in our favour. At half time it looked like this game was ours for the taking, however that would not last. It was just one of those games where Keephatch had their shooting boots on, and everythign they struck hit the sweetspot and then corner of the net. Final score 5-0.
BRACKNELL BADGERS - 24TH OCT 2010
we managed to repeat last year and get dumped out of the league cup by lower oppoisition. we lead the whole game by one goal. )A cross supplied by Gawain was met by Andrew Overton to slot the ball back in to Si Richardson to take the lead.) but then let in a goal in the dying seconds to take the game into overtime and pens, which we lost! got to learn from this though as we just completely played at their level, we really must learn to put crap teams away!!
By the way have to mention Beef's shot as well. an inch away from the goal of the season. A 35 foot piledriver which smashed the bar and then fell the wrong side of the line!
AFC DUKES - 17th OCT 2010
Another well won victory on Yesterday! We are now officially on a run!
I think its fair to say i don't think we ever got into top gear, but that was probably down to the fact we didn't need to. Dukes in fact did not manage to get a single meaningful shot on target for the whole 90 mins (which was really really boring on my part!) but this was down to the fact that Calfridus kept closing the Dukes down and never allowed them space. Special mention to be given to Josh for showing defence starts from the front as he continued showing why he must be a defenders worst nightmare as every game he continues to chase would be lost causes and never allows the opposition defenders any time on the ball. This was evident throughout the team, which is why Calfridus were able to cruise the game.
It was however only a single goal that separated the teams at half time. Justin Brown sent in a perfect free kick from way down town. One of those inviting balls where, if no one manages to get a head on it, then it still ends up in the back of the net.... which it did.
The second half team talk was simply 'get an early goal and put the game to sleep'. Within a minute or two of the restart, much like last week, the goal came. Croxfrod was felled in the box for the most popular ref in the world to award Cali a pen. Dan Hobson, who is fast finding a niche of scoring in the 47th minute (second of the season) stepped up and slotted a well taken pen. The keeper went the right way, but the ball kissed the post on the way in giving the keeper no chance.
The game would finish in fairly strange circumstances though. Dukes, probably knowing that they had not managed to get a shot on goal yet, decided to then test their own keeper with a couple of shots that ended up with a couple of own goals! The first was a majestic 35 yard chip that sailed into their net. The second a good volley off a Justin Brown cross. Justin gets the assist as it was a good cross and Croxford would of scored if the Dukes player hadn't.
so final score 4-0. A clean sheet - Whoo hoo
LODDON VALLEY - 10TH OCT 2010
Well we thought if we played like we did the last couple of weeks we might have a chance of edging it past the league leaders Loddon bridge, but we were wrong. We would actually thrash them!
Truth be told though for the first 30 mins it was a very even game, neither team being able to show dominance over the other. It was becoming clear that the first goal would be vital.
Pretty much on the half hour mark Calfridus showed a bit of top class counter attacking football once again. From a corner Marky Minors saw that Loddon were trudging back to the half way line with their backs to our goal. he yelled for a quick release which he then sent up the wing to Alex Croxford, who sent a neat ball into the box for Gawain to smash into the goal to send us one up.
The goal changed the mood of the game and Calfridus started to dominate. Calfridus went into the break 1-0 up.
Again the next goal would be equally important and thankfully we didn't have to wait too long, as Dan Hobson rose up to header his first of the season to put more authority on the game. Calfridus kept on showing their class and soon added another to surely put the game to sleep, Jack Harding sending in his first of the season (as well as grabbing two assists in the match) with a header at the back post from a well taken Justin Brown free kick.
Loddon managed to grab a goal back with about 20 mins to go, and with that goal they found a second wind, managing to start to attack our goal quite a bit, desperately seeking out that second goal. thankfully we held firm though and soon another counter attack lead to Alex Croxford breaking free to score his second in as many games, and to ensure all 3 points would be heading our way.
There was still time though for the ref to award a rather weak penalty to Loddon in the dying seconds, but i knew all i had to do was put my tried and thoroughly tested penalty theory into practise to save the fairly week shot.
Final Score 4-1!
Great game, well played, we are right back in the running now boys. just got to keep winning!
WARWICK ARMS - 3RD OCT 2010
Another great display from Calfridus, and another one to be proud of.
It was the 1st round of the bucks n berks cup against a high flying 2nd division Reading team, which meant we would be up against decent opposition.
Having said that we knew that if we played like we did last week we shouldn’t really have fear of any team, and that was proved within the first ten mins as Gawain sent a perfect corner into the box for captain marvel Mallon to header his second goal of the season (He scored last week too, but I managed to mistake it for a Josh goal).
Unfortunately Warwick Arms managed to level the scores through a trade mark calfridus keeper error (mis judged cross!)
This however again just spurred Calfridus on and wave after wave of attack was thrown at the Warwick arms goal.
Half time score 1-1
After the break the second half was pretty much dominated by Calfridus. Thanks to another Gawain corner Alex Cfoxford was able to open his account for the season with a bullet header.
The third Calfridus goal came again from a Gwawain assist, who was looking like he could show Beckham a thing or two about crossing the ball. Gawain stole the ball off a Warwick player on the edge of the Calfridu box, looked up and sent a ball up to the front to Josh, who with a cool head pocked the ball past the keeper to make it 2 goals in as many games.
Where we faded last week in the last 20, this week we did not as fresh legs in the way of Justin came on, and nearly made an immediate effect, with two scorching shots from way down town. Both where heading for the top corner of the goal, but the keeper foiled both of them
Final score 3-1
INTER FC - 26TH SEPT 2010
and our season has now officially started!
so the signs did not look good when the fixture came out. Calfridus stats were, played 2, lost two (by large score lines) and had not managed to have a shot on target yet! Not only that we were to play Inter FC, who scored over a hundred goals last year, and had scored 15 goals in three games this season, 8 of them coming in last weekends game, so they we knew that yesterdays game was going to be near impossible.
However, in true Clafridus fashion, like normal, when ever faced with the prospect that we would be playing a superior team we completely upped our game?!?!? I was watching the football on display with amazement half the time, wondering what the heck had happened to our team in the fortnight since our last game. Time and time again we kept passing the ball in very tight positions all around the park, making countless attacks on the Inter goal. In the last two games it was clear that the team was not gelling, well in this game it was like we had just been squeezed out of a tube of super glue, super being the objective word.
Calfridus took the lead quite early on in the game, when Josh did well to loose his man in the Inter box, and then feed the ball to Colin, who then decided to attempt to lob the keeper from inside the area. Audacious isn't a word for the effort, but by ec it worked and Calfridus took the lead.
Inter levelled the scores a few mins later completely against the run of play, with what i would like to label as a controversial goal! The match ball, premium £50 psi 12 match ball, was hit into the bushes. their lazy keeper could not be bothered to fetch it, so the ref said to play on using one of our training balls. These training balls are flat every Sunday, and have to be pumped up. They are 5 years old, and were rubbish when they were new! i was screaming to the ref telling him not to use them, but the bugg@r did not hear me. A couple of mins later they take a shot on goal, and about 2 foot before it reaches me the stupid ball dipped like a stuker and went under me for the equaliser. yes i should of saved it, but if it wasn't a beach ball then maybe that would not of gone in. Seeing this the Inter goal keeper then managed to run into the bushes straight away to get the proper match ball back. brilliant, thanks.
anyways excuses aside!! i was worried that we were going to let our heads drop and cave in, but no way. normal service was resumed and calfirdus answered almost instantly with another goal from a Gawain Espley corner. Mallon heading in for his first league goal for the club.
the action was not to stop there though, the half was then rounded nicely off with a second goal from Josh as Jack Harding was rewarded with an assist for his good work down the right.
Half time score 3-1, in one of the best 45 mins of football i have seen since the club started.
Second half started off the same, but i think its fair to say that our fitness levels began to where off. It understandable as everyone was working so hard to keep closing down and making runs, so playing that way for 90 mins so early in the season was bound to wear off, as well as the fact there was only a squad of eleven, so no fresh legs, we had no off side trap with no lino, and as well as Colin picking up an injury we were pretty much breathing out of our @rses.
Unfortunately because of this Inter managed to get themselves back into the game and level the scores 3-3. We did well not to cave in completely considering the above mentioned problems and did well to hold on to our first magnificent point of the season.
Really well played boys. I mean it. Even though it was only a point in the end, if the table was done on moral points, that was about a 6 pointer. Where i was a little worried about the season after the first two games, this one has showed there is nothing to be worried about if we can play like that every week going forward!!
AFC BEECHFLEET - 10TH SEPT 2010
Without dwelling on it too much, we screwed up again yesterday. we looked the better team for the first third, making great passing and movement, but we then let in two goals in five minutes just before the break, and then another straight from the kick off, which completely killed us. Final score 4-0.
LODDON VALLEY - 3RD SEPT 2010
We were proper pants. not much else to say!
final score 5-0
PRE SEASON - 2010/2011
ASHBRIDGE RES - 23rd AUG 2010
Pre season went off more or less as planed yesterday as we came away 3-2 winners.
First half was a great display in which we looked very much in control and managed to capitalise on three good finishes from Josh Brown, Jack Harding and Justin. We let in a sloppy goal, the kind of goal that is designed for the preseason, where i think we were just trying to be too confident and complete tight passing triangles from the back to the front, and got caught out. This kind of risk of course we wont take when the real season kicks off!!
after the break it was not so good though. In hindsight our problems came from two things as far as i could see. Firstly i think our fitness has a sertious question mark at this stage of the season, so if possible can we all try to get a bit of cardio work in before the next two weeks are up! it looked like we were blowing our of our arses, well i was anyways, and i was just in goal!
Secondly the other issue we had was the fact we stuck to a rigid 4-4-2 formation, which in hindsight was a really bad idea . I was just trying to allow people to have a chance up front, but it kind of backfired. In a normal game i am sure we would of adjusted midfiled to counter act their change at half time and all would of been rosie. Still that's what preseaon is about.... and another reason why i dont, and should not, make the tactical decisions!!!
Final score was a 3-2 win, and definatley a really positive start... if we can improve our fitness!! Was very pleased with everyones performance, everyone did themselves proud. I am sure the margin would of been way more if the match was under diferent circumstances, i.e this was our first game, and the opposition, (as it was a proper cub!) already had a number of games under their belt.
FINCHAMPSTEAD - 9th MAY 2010
We were actually pretty good. we started off well. only had a dodgy 10 mins, in which they got a pen and managed to score from it (the only freakin penalty i let in all season the buggars) and then the scored again a few mins later. The rest of the game we pretty much dominated. We managed to score a great goal soon after than in response as Gawain sent in one of the crosses of the season for herdy to drill a header home.
Towards the end of the second half Finchamstead unfortunately scored as we were pressing for an equaliser. There were still a few seconds though for Mallon to pop up and show why he had been promoted to striker to slot in a consolation goal. We played well, in fact the best we have played in a long time, but final score unfortunately ended 3-2 against.
WINKFILED RES - 6th MAY 2010
hard to swallow, but we lost / got thrashed again last night. its this poxy 39 point barrier. for the last two years we have ended up on 39 points. With like 7 games to go this year we were on 36 points, and low and behold with one game to go we are on 39 points again!!! what the hell?? From going from our best ever season to ending on our worst for three years! that is some turn around we have had! still what ever doesn't kill us only makes us stronger.. or something like that!!
the game was as is the last few weeks. Started ok, even though we only had 10 men, but as soon as we let in the first goal, through an amazing bit of crap goalkeeping, our heads pretty much dropped. we breifly had 11 vs 11, but then croxford got injured and we ended up playing 65 mins with 10 men (kind of 9 towards the end due to mallon hobbling around). half ended 3-0.
we played well after the break and manage to pull 2 back and had the upper hand even with the man disadvantage. Dodson was fouled in the area to win a pen. hobson kept up his 100% record by crashing it home.
beef then sent a great free kick into the area for hobson to grab his second.
unfortunately wankfiled managed to score again, and then that was pretty much game over.
final score 5-2.
QUEENS HEAD - 2nd MAY 2010
we had yet another really crap performance on sunday and we got thrashed 5-0. unbelievable
BRACKNELL MANICS - 29th APRIL 2010
i guess it was a good game for the neutral to watch, but a bit crappy for us to swallow! We played like it was an end of season game and i would like to feel that if we were still in the title shout that we would of won that game, but as it was we freakin continued this stupid run we are in and lost again to a bottom half of the table team.
We took the lead through a stunning Croxford strike, after he managed to get onto the end of a perfectly weighted pass from Gawain. But unfortunately as has happened so much the last few weeks, we pretty much let the opposition waltz down the pitch and score to level the tie. Whats more they then slotted in another goal to take a lead of 2-1 into the break.
Again from pretty much the kick off they scored again to really make the game look as good as finished. This was far from the truth though as Calfridus dominated the next half hour, scoring once through Mallon and then another through Croxord to level the scores with just 4 mins to go. In fact we had a couple of other chances in between to perhaps score more, but did not manage to capitalise.
but yet again for the third time that match the opposition scored from the first attack from the restart to take all three points. 4-3.
WARFIELD FC - 25TH April 2010
was a good team performance again yesterday. One of the best performances we have had this season, if not the best. We completely dominated the first half of the game, and probably shaded the second as well, but unfortunately we did not take all 3 points, but instead had to settle for another draw. But taking the result aside, it was probably our best performance ever i recon.
I don't think they knew what hit them in the first half. wave after wave of attack came at Warfield, and it was a freakin miracle that they managed not to concede in the first half. Unfortunately Warfield managed to capitalise on a loose ball though towards the end of the half to grab a goal which was completely against the run of play. but thats football i guess.
second half Calfridus came out battling though and soon scored an equaliser through Alex Webb, who is continuing to show form. Again Calfirdus showed dominance again and peppered the Warfiled goal for the next 20 odd mins.
Warfiled however managed to pounce on another loose ball though around the hour mark to take the lead again. After that goal there was a bit of a lul though from us and Warfiled began to look comfortable. To counter this Calfridus put their cards on the table and changed formation, leaving just three at the back. This paid pretty much immediate dividends as Webby grabbed his second of the game to level the scores. As soon as that goal went in calfridus pushed for the winner. Croxford and Webb each saw shots skim the post and bar, but unfortunately the winner never came. Final score 2-2
its funny to say, but if we ignore the result we can all look back and actually be happy with the performance. was really good. the only major downer was the fact we missed all three points. but screw it. there is always next year
INTER FC - 18th April 2010
first of all, sorry boys. i had a shocker of a second half yesterday, which is why we didn't take all points on offer. Was such a great display from the team which makes it even harder to swallow!
Anyways taking that aside the rest of the team should take a bow as you were great. Of course as the opposition was the best team in the league Calfridus decided to turn on the class and play at a very high standard of footy. I feel we were the better team in both halves and if it wasn't for my mind being absent in the second half we would of demolished Inter.
The first half ended in stalemate with neither team managing to find the net, but Calfridus definitely showing the most promise. the only thing Inter could do was foul us over and over again.
Second half is where all the action happened. Within about a minute of the kick off Richard Chamberlain was allowed to run at the Inter goal and release a bullet of a shot that flew past the keeper to open the scores. (not sure who gave the assist, so who ever it was give us a shout when you submit your mom vote).
Unfortunately Inter were able to reply with a goal of their own a few mins later to level the scores. Calfridus though kept pressing and eventually scored another goal as Gawain fed the ball to Alex W to put Calfridus up again.
Unfortunately again though Inter bounced back and then scored to level the scores. Disaster then struck as Inter then scored in the last 10 mins of the game to surely seal the points for Inter. Inter tried their best to then wind down the clock by trying to keep the ball by our corner post as long as they could. But instead of the Calli players giving up, knowing that only seconds remained on the clock, they managed to grab the ball back, let it fly up the left flank for Gawain to then send the perfect through ball to cut the defence in two. Andy King, who had been waiting his whole life to prove he did have pace, then managed to find some grease lightning speed to meet the ball and slot it past the on coming keeper to make the score 3-3 with pretty much the last kick of the game.
Final score 3-3.
Well played boys. was brilliant.
FC MUCHACHOS - 11th April 2010
well what can you say?
we have completely managed to blow our season in a matter of three weeks. We managed to loose to the bottom of the table yesterday. Whereas we were completely useless against finchamstead a few weeks back, yesterday we were not that bad, but just did not manage to create any clear cut chances. we had countless half chances, and kept pressing them and for much of the game we were clearly the better team, but it was just one of those games i guess. freakin horrible.
they only really had one chance in the first half, where the ref decided to award them a penalty, which was never ever a pen. The penalty was of course saved as everyone and their mother always shoots bottom left. apart from this they had no other chances until they eventually scored in the second half when we failed to deal with a flick on from a throw in. We literally had countless half chances and a number of near goals. King flicked the bar with a shot, and also Herdy had a shot tipped to safety by their keeper.
To top it off the ref then did not award us a pen in the last few secs of the game when herdy was pole-axed by at least three of their players at the same time in the area. Unbelievable.
Final score 1-0.
WARFIELD 4th APRIL 2010
Was another tough game we had yesterday, but we showed our character again to get something from the game.
Warfield are a well drilled club so we knew it was going to be tough, but we gave as good as we got at times!
We started off the better of the two teams, keeping the ball up their side of the pitch and creating a couple of opportunities. However Warfiled were able to latch on to a loose ball around the 25 min mark to slot home the opener. its probably fair to say that for the 30 mins either side of the half time break they were failry dominant as they were able to get a fair few shots off at our goal. Thankfully though they did not manage to capitalise on any of these chances!
In the last half hour the game swang in our favour though and we started to play a bit of football. Our goal came when Justin sent in a free kick that Alex Croxford managed to convert with his nog.
if anyone was going to take all three points i think it would of been us, but no other real chances came for either side.
final score 1-1.
FINCHAMSTEAD - 28TH MARCH 2010
We lost. It was crap. worst ever display.
4-0
THE BIRCH 21st MARCH 2010
Calfridus made hard work of it, but as you have probably gathered we did manage to take all 3 points. We were at times extremely sloppy, but we showed heart again to come out the other side! There were two main problems. The first was that we sunk to the oppositions level of football. I mean seriously they were not a good team! For example their centre backs were tweedle fat and tweedle fatter. Having said that they put up a fight. The second was the fact we seemed to crumble when they scored.
The opening goal came from a set piece. Dan Hobson sent in a great delivery from a free kick near the half way line. Alex Webb (AKA Alex Turton) rose up un marked in the box to then nod the ball expertly past the keeper. Calfridus stuttered to half time with the scores 1-0.
The second half was pretty much the same as the first. The Birch did not look like they were going to score, especially with Dan showing real dominance at centre back, but at the same time we were not really posing too much of a threat. Thankfully Alex Croxford did a jig through a couple of players on the edge of the Birch Box and then sent a ball across to Manuel Cabrera who smashed a first time shot into the back of the net to make the score 2-0.
The birch managed to capitalise on a rare surge forward to open their account with about 20 mins to go, and unlike the previous games we let our composure slip a little and were slightly lucky to hold on. But that doesn't matter. The important thing is that we won, took max points, and now find ourselves 3 points off top!
LODDON VALLEY RANGERS - 14th MARCH 2010
To sum yesterdays game up, i think the final whistle brought feelings of relief rather than of joy yesterday!
It was fair to say Loddon valley did not pose the same threat as they had a few weeks earlier and Calfridus pretty much dominated the whole game, although we did make hard work closing the game off.
We started off rather slow, but then soon picked up and presented chance after chance in the first half. Andy King saw a shot go just wide of the post early on, and their keeper ironically made a couple of good saves to keep the game level. A well delivered corner from Justin Brown set up the opening goal though as Andy Mallon sent Calli in front with a well timed header.
Half time score 1-0.
For some reason we did not manage to get going in the second half, and the ball just stayed in the middle of the park for the majority of the half. Andy King was up to his usual tricks of winding the opposition up beyond belief again! This time one of the opposition snapped and tried to take a 'swing at the king'. He showed great restraint, and put the team first by not retaliating and not laying the pleb out. The Loddon valley moron was of course sent off and Calli had a mans advantage.
To much of everyone's relief Gavin Done soon made a run up the left flank, slide a great ball into the hit man Alex Croxord for him to delightfully chip the ball over the keeper, flick the upstanding post and score his 10th of the season to give calfridus some breathing space and surely make the points secure.
to be fair such was the lack of threat from Loddon that the only way they were going to score was if Calfridus spacked up in a massive way and pretty much just wave them into score. I took this a queue to do just that. I still stand by my case that i was already committed to kicking the ball rather than waiting for it to come into my area!! but to keep the story short i drilled the clearance square into Dan Hobsons face, which then let the ball dribble to their on coming striker who then slotted it home to make the scores 2-1.
fortunately that was the last attack they had and the scores finished 2-1 to us.
Another great win, and it has to be said picking up 9 points from the last 3 fixtures is probably going the greatest set of results in the clubs history, so well done everyone. lets keep it going!
AFC BEECHFLEET - 7th MARCH 2010
don't think even Shakespeare could write a report on this game that would justify how much of a kick @ss performance this was. nothing short of a freakin awesome team display!
i thought the last game against loddon bridge would be the game of the season, but this game was pretty much a carbon copy with just as much excitement and true grit and determination. everyone was oozing character out there!
truth be told the signs were looking rather ominous from the initial outset, i.e i was hanging out of my @rse with a mother of a hangover where a quite drink took the turn for the worse the night before. on top of that an early phone call to the Herd confirmed that he was actually still drunk and that there was no chance of him making the trip into work.
onto the game. i recon it's fair to say that AFC probably started the stronger of the two sides. they had a number of chances on goal which thankfully they were not able to convert. But Calfridus started to show the character they started to build upon from the last game and really dug their heels in and slowly started to make a few chances of their own. including a disallowed goal from croxy. half time 0-0
the game truly tipped in favour of calfridus in the second half and a number of good build up play brought a number of chances on the AFC goal. Unfortunately their keeper was showing some class saving well from Dan Hobson, and then from Croxford. All Calfidus could do was keep pressing and hope that one would slip in. True to form eventually that chance came thanks to a game of pin ball in the AFC six yard box. on the probably 13th attempt Jamie Chaplin managed to force the ball past the helpless keeper for Calfridus to take the lead.
showing true professionalism again calfridus showed class by holding on a protecting the lead for the next 20 mins. Justin didn't even need to fake a injury of the nether regions this time.
A couple more shots on goal from AFC were dealt with. Also Andy King managing to keep the scores the same by coping the ball square in the face to send him off with a bloody nose.
Jamie C had another chance saved by the AFC keeper late on, and thankfully Calfridus managed to hold firm to win the game by the narrowest margins - 1-0.
It was a great game. there was no amazing individual performance due to the fact every player for the second game running played out of their skin, and more importantly it was a text book example of a team performance. so seriously, well played lads.
Having said that we have to have a man of the match, so lets have your nominations please!
not sure who we are playing next week as the fixtures have not been confirmed yet. but it will be someone! who can play? will send out details later!
LODDON VALLEY - 14th FEB 2010
What a game! This was by far the best game of the season so far. Choosing a MOM will be a hard task this week as every single player played outta their skins.
We started a little bit under the kosh and it was clear that Loddon valley were going to be tough opposition.
To give credit where it's due, Loddon Valley were very good at keeping the ball and the first half saw them try attack after attack, but to give credit to our boys none of these attacks amounted to much and the pressure was absorbed very well. Whats more Calfridus looked dangerous on the break.
Just before the break Gawain made some space for himself down the flank and then sent a cross into the box. King was then cut down in the box to earn Calfridus a pen. Dan subsequently stepped up to slot home his 7th goal of the season.
James Batty had a shot cleared off the line a few mins later and the half finished 1-0 Calfridus.
The early stages of the second half were dominated by Calfridus. This dominance was then certified as Calfridus grabbed their second goal. It came from an audacious shot from Justin Brown. For arguments sake we will say he meant it!! Basically pretty much every cross in from set pieces during the game had been spot on, but none had resulted in goals. Justin took matters in his own hands though and rather than putting another pin point cross he decided to just slot the ball straight into the top corner of the net direct from the corner post!
A couple of mins later though Loddon Valley managed to use their speed to break though the defence and nail a jammy goal to put the game on a knife edge for the remaining 15 mins. Calfridus hardly touched the ball for the remainder of the game, but superbly absorbed everything that was thrown at them.
Final score 2-1.
Just as a final point, it was a great game. Their was literally no mistakes made from any players on either of the two teams. Everyone put in 100% and we deserved the victory through total hard work and serious team work! So well done boys!!!!!
SYNGENTA - 7th FEB 2010
I have labelled yesterdays game 'The lark in a park'.
As harsh as it sounds, the Syngenta bus turned up, and the players took their positions in the field, but that was about all they did.
The whole game was dominated by Calfridus and such was the dominance and due to the level of opposition we were playing that we never really got out of first or second gear. In fact it was pretty much a carbon copy of the game the week before. Good pieces of football followed by serious bits of rust in the first half.
the opening goal came from Dan Hobson. Tim L found Dan with a bit of space at the edge of the area. Dan took a touch and then sent the ball into the top corner. Half time 1-0.
Some how the flood gates did not open and like last week it was only the last 25 mins of the match where we drilled the victory home with a quick succession of goals, coming from Justin Brown, Alex Croxford, Steve Herd and Dan Hobson for his second. I cant really recollect the goals as they came so thick and fast and i was trying my best to catch 40 winks as i had sweet fa to do again for the second game in a row. (seriously if this happens again will someone try to score an own goal or concede a pen? well boring!!) Final score 5-0.
Special note to be given to Alex Croxford who has become the CW player to be enlisted in the 'elite 100 club' hall of fame. i.e the first player to break 100 fantasy points this season, in fact he smashed the target with a great display yesterday, setting up 3 goals and scoring 1. Check the web to see where you stand and to see who will be the next player to get his name in lights!
WINKFIELD RES - 31st JAN 2010
A great display yesterday. There was a little rust to begin with, but soon that was polished off and Calfridus Wanderers won the game no digidy no doubt.
in fact the score line did not show how comfortable a game it was for us. i.e i spent the whole game dragging my feet around in the ice getting rather bored, occassionally scuffing a goal kick here and there.
anyways was so bored that i am not sure i can recall all the events, but i do remember that even in icey conditions we played some good footy.
anyway as said started off a bit rusty, but a continuous barrage of great deadball crosses from Dan the Man and Justin meant it would only be a matter of time before we went one up. And that time came when Andy Dodson struck home his second of the season.
oddly the score line would remain the same at half time.
after the break though Calfridus was back to what they do best (no, not conceeding and letting the other team back in) but drilling the other team into submission.
half way into the period Andy Mallon managed to get onto a through ball to delicately chip the on coming keeper, only to be judged off side. A few minutes later though managed to actually get on the score sheet when he bundled the ball past the keeper from a yard out.
the game was then put to rest when Dan Hobson struck with about 15 mins to go. Only for Alex Croxford to then score pretty much from the re-kick with another trade mark whack from outside the area.
great performance. 4-0
AFC BEECHFLEET - 13th NOV 2009
Calfirdus lost their first game away from home yesterday in a game that had more swings in it than a playground.
AFC took the lead farily early through an own goal. Alex C accidently toe poked the ball past a slow to react calfridus keeper (me).
Calfridus pressed back and looked like the better team. Dodson came close to an equaliser, but just shot wide. Soon after Justin Brown sent one of his many well taken crosses into the box for the ball to bounce around a bit before Martin Hinks crashed the ball into the oppositions net to level the scores.
no sooner as that had happened though AFC then scored pretty much from the kick off for the scores to be 2-1 at half time.
Calfridus dominated much of the second half and in a ten minute spell calfidus leveled the scores and then went one up as King and Croxford slotted home good goals. The game looked as good as over, but somehow it turned again sharply and AFC managed to score two more goals for the game to finish 4-3. mega crap.
VICTORIA ARMS - 22nd NOV 2009
We got thrashed yesterday. Signs were not good when we realised only two players had actually scored before the day this season, and we only managed to field a squad of 11, and the pissin rain and conditions were ruddy rubbish!
but yep we lost 5-1, a consolation goal coming from a pen tucked away by Andy Dodson. Pretty much all their goals came from break aways and with the scores at 3-1 with ten mins to go they sealed the match as we tried to chase something out of the game. rubbish.
BRACKNELL MANICS - 15th NOV 2009
That's what we play football for! At 8.45am the signs were not looking good. There were two injuries which meant we only had a 10 man squad for the match. But commeth the hour commeth the men as a plea went out to the Herdmiester and he managed to persuade Dodson to delay their day date to Bristol in order for them to play. This decision would turn out to be one of the greatest managerial decisions to date, so i take full credit for the result.
So anyways, yep we knew before the start that the Manics team we were to face were a greatly improved team from last year and that turned out to be quite obvious from the start. They were a lot harder to break down and they seemed to have a bit of speed injection to their wings, who were always looking for quick breaks. Calfridus had a couple of good chances in the first half but found it hard to capitalise on any of them. With about 20 mins to go of the half Herdy decided to go on a little run across the box and just as he was about to pull the trigger was brought down. Alex Croxford then stepped up to slot home a great free kick into the top corner to open the scoring. Half time 1-0.
The Manics pulled back a goal when someone (who we wont mention) did not manage to claim a corner kick cleanly and the ball was volleyed into the net. Calfridus pressed on for the winner and a radical shot from Si Richardson nearly grabbed the points but rocketed off the upright to safety.
Then disaster struck. Alex Croxford and Si Richardson were both forced off to injury and Calfridus were forced to play the rest of the game with 10 men. Manics used their advantage to try and press a winner, but as magic would have it the Herd had other ideas. He decided to go for another run at the Manics defence, but this time rode the challenges and then rode his luck as he managed to slot the ball past the keeper to win the game.
Manics had a chance at the end of the game to level the scores but thankfully did not pull it off and the score remained 2-1. Special note was also given in the post match team huddle to Andy Dodson who i quote "worked really hard for the first time in his life" to ensure the victory.
F.C GOOSE - 8th NOV 2009
Calfridus Wanderers faced Division Four opponents in the shape of FC Goose in the Berks & Bucks cup. Calfridus started brightly, retaining the ball and forcing a number of corners. Their pressure yielded a goal as a corner was only cleared as far as Simon Richardson who arrowed a shot into the bottom corner. The early lead seemed to send Calfridus into their shell as some direct attacking from Goose put them under pressure. However, the Calfridus defence coped well, with keeper Steve Close called into action to make an excellent save one-on-one.
With just minutes left in the first half, forward Jamie Chaplin broke into the Goose box and drew a rash challenge to win a penalty, confidently putting it away himself. From the restart, the Calfridus forward line won the ball back immediately. Centre-half Stuart Thompson strode forward with the ball, exchanged passes on the edge of the area and slotted home his first goal for the club.
Into the second half and again Calfridus started the stronger. The Goose defence stood still as a through ball appeared to be heading out for a goal kick, but midfielder Andy King chased down the seemingly lost cause and planted a cross onto the head of Chaplin who bagged his second of the contest with a firm header.
To their credit, Goose heads didn't drop, and an excellent cross-field through ball saw them pull a goal back as the striker ran clear. Calfridus continued to push for more goals, but a mis-placed pass from a short corner allowed Goose to break quickly and a shot from a seemingly impossible angle found its way into the net off of Close. Goose continued to cause problems and a frantic final few minutes was guaranteed as Calfridus failed to clear a long throw and a scuffed shot bobbled into the corner of the net as Close was unsighted. Goose managed one final corner and piled all 11 players into the box, but Calfridus held on to progress into the next round.
INTER - 1ST NOV 2009
CW bad form continued this sunday in a game where the score line did not give a true reflection of the game.
Unusually Calfirdus started off the brighter of the two teams and possed a number of chances early doors. Unfortunately though 3 ridiculus shots from outside the area, together with a soft goal from inside the box meant the score was 4-0 at half time. The score line didn't change in the second half. final score 0-4.
AXFIELD - 25TH OCT 2009
The terrible run continues for Calfridus Wanderers as they exit the cup early doors. Report below, makes me sick thinking about it!! still shell shocked!
Calli were up ageist it early on as Axfield scored two early goals. Calfirdus battled back through two well taken goals from Si Richadson who made a great first time connection to send the ball into the back of the net, and then from another trade mark Alex Croxford shot from outside the area.
Half time scores were level at 2-2.
Second half kicked off and they managed to get a dubious penalty when there was ball to hand contact. The penalty was saved and thanks to Calfridus players reacting fast to the rebound the ball was cleared to safety. But that grace would not last as a tame shot crept into the net as the ground gave way under my feet at a vital time!
With numerous chances going begging, along with numerous rebounds off the posts, and numerous penalty claims being awarded as free kicks instead outside the box we looked down and out. With a couple of mins left on the clock Jamie Chaplin managed to level the scores and send the game into extra time.
Again we couldn't see how we could loose this game as we kept having the majority of the chances. In extra time we scored twice, but the ref choose to not see the ball cross the line on both occasions, even when both times the reaction of the defence clearly proved it had TWICE on separate occasions!!! With the writing on the wall Axfiled then grabbed the winner with a few mins to go to the end of the game.
Well and truly gutting. final score 3-4.
AFC BEECHFLEET - 18th OCT 2009
Dont wanna talk about it! Bad day at office! They were good, but we just never got going. We lost 2-1. Jamie Chaplin grabbing our goal on his league debut.
VICTORIA ARMS - 11th OCT 2009
Calfridus Wanderers travelled to St Crispins to take on Victoria Arms in Division 3. A considerably bouncey early-season pitch meant the game began with some direct attacks from both sides, admirably repelled by the respective defenses. The Calfridus central defensive partnership of captain Andy Mallon and Stuart Thompson, in particular, coped with everthing in the air, winning countless headers on the edge of their own box.
It was Victoria Arms who fashioned the first clear chance - a penalty following a needless push on a striker headed for the corner flag. 'Keeper Steve Close guessed right and looked to have the goal covered as the ball struck the outside of the post and went out for a goal kick. The rest of the half belonged to Calfridus, working the ball down both flanks and winning a number of set plays around the Arms box. It was from a corner that they took the lead: Andy King finding a big gap at the front post where Thompson was on hand to tee up Alex Croxford for the opener.
Into the second half and Calfridus began to dominate. Playing the ball from the back they got into a number of promising positions but failed to capitalise. That was until left-back Gavin Done battled through at least three tackles to get himself to the edge of the area, where his pass split the defence leaving striker Tim Lynam with a simple chance to slot home his fourth goal of the season.
The rest of the game belonged to the visitors as Vicrtorian heads dropped. Lynam and substitute Mark Doherty both had headed chances from left-wing crosses before central midfield duo Andy King and Simon Richardson completed the scoring; both from close range as the Victoria Arms defence failed to deal with testing corners. Final score 4-0.
F.C MUCHACHOS - 2nd OCT 2009
Calfridus Wanderers maintained their 100% start to the season with a comfortable 4-0 win against FC Muchachos at Calfridus Way. Calfridus dominated the opening exchanges, combining well down both flanks and forcing a number of corners. Some excellent deliveries from Gawain Espley from the right saw the home side go close before Tim Lynam flicked on a corner from the other flank and Alex Croxford arched his neck to loop the ball into the top corner for 1-0. Calfridus continued to exert their aerial superiority as a Dan Hobson flick-on saw Mark Minors crash a volley off the top of the bar, and it wasn't long until the lead was extended - Hobson finding space at the back post to head home another corner.
Into the second half and Muchachos failed to really threaten the scoreline. Things remained at 2-0 as Calfridus lacked the killer instinct, instead launching a number of long-range efforts high of the goal. With about ten minutes remaining, Croxford picked up the ball just inside the Muchachos area and curled a shot over the 'keeper to make sure of the win. Then, with the game drawing to a close, substitute James Batty made it 3 goals in as many games, heading home from close range from yet another excellent Espley corner.
BANTHAM - 28th SEPT 2009 - B&B TROPHY 1ST ROUND
Calfridus started the cup campaign yesterday with a well fought win against Bantham F.C.
Like usual Calfirdus took a good 15 mins to find their foothold on the game with early pressure coming again from the opposition, whilst it seemed Calfridus couldn't get hold of the ball. But soon this was all put to rights as James Batty flicked on the ball to Tim Lynam to tuck away the first goal of the afternoon. As soon as the goal went in Calfridus turned into the mean machine we all know and love and didn't really put a foot wrong for the rest of the game.
The second goal came from a bit of Martin Hinks masterclasstery. Hinksy picked up the ball on the edge of his own box, then ran down the right flank, then decided that he didn't fancy the right wing, turned, took the ball all the way to the left flank, took it to the by-line, then into the penalty box and then slotted a pass to Tim lynam who took a great first touch to lay the ball up and then whacked it home for his second of the day.
Half time score 2-0.
Bantham really started to loose it second half, yelling at each other and moaning about every single decision. It was not long before the third goal came. With an indirect free kick awarded on the edge of the box Hinksy took a moderately tame shot at the goal only for the keeper to air swipe it and Dan to get round behind just in time to tap the ball in before it crossed the line for the goal to stand.
There was still time for a forth to complete the rout as Tim Lynam manage to feed James Batty to continue his good form with his second goal in as many appearances for the club.
Final score 4-0
THE BIRCH - 20th SEPT 2009
One of the great performances of Sunday League footy that was! An excellent display from every single player!
Again for some reason Calfridus was slow off the mark as The Birch were the first to try their luck on goal. But after neutralising the first couple of Birch attacks Calfirdus found their feet and took absolute control of the game. Calfridus dominated the entire match and looked like a very well oiled fighting machine!
Martin Hinks appearing for his first game of the season showed what the world had been missing when he used his trade mark burst of speed to run down the wing and supply the perfect cross for Tim Lynam to tuck away the opening goal.
The second goal came from some good work from Dan the Man. With a throw in awarded deep in the Birch half, Dan went about telling the whole world and their mother that he was going to flick the ball on and someone make sure they get in their to knock it in. Amazingly his prediction would come true and he flicked it in to the box for Mike Darby to bravely nod the ball in for the second of the match.
The best thing about the half was the sheer volume of chances that Calfridus kept making, if it was not for their keeper... .who should of arguably been sent off, the score would of been dire come the end of the first half.
The second half started much how the first ended with Calli continuously pressing the Birch. Mike Darby soon fed Martin Hinks to have a go on goal, which he gobbled up.
Hinksy was critical in the build up of the next goal as well. With a run that was almost carbon copy of the first Calridus goal he was judged to of been felled by a defender in the box.... although from where i was standing it did look a bit of a delayed reaction!!!!! Dan Hobson then took the resulting PK, and even though the keeper dived in the right direction could not stop the pile driver of a shot.
A world record was then set in the seconds following the goal. With Mike Darby engine running low, Steve Herd waved James Batty on for his debut. Unfortunately James came on the pitch before the Ref had waved him on, and in doing so notched up a yellow card before even actually officially playing a second of football. Impressive!
James' day would improve though as he was able to score on debut as he followed up a Gawain shot the came back off the up right. With the score 5-0 the game completely died and the game pretty much ended.
A great game. Final Score 5-0.
