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Newbury Forest 7 v 4 AFC Palace (Essex Junior Trophy)

Well cup fever was back again and the Newbury Forest train rolls on. With this being our first game in a couple of weeks and also knowing that sometimes we don’t start too well everyone a little nervous. However we came out the blocks sharp and snappy.
Unfortunately we lost Oz through injury inside the first 5 minutes, which meant a chance for Lil John to come on and show his stuff.

The first goal was something a bit special, a 30 something yard free kick by someone but hey we won’t go into that. This gave us imputes to move on and try and get a second which we did, when John put his penalty away after Andy was brought down. As per normal we do like to let teams back in it you make it 2 -1. Another strike by me made 3-1, and then they got a penalty to make it 3-2. Even though the score showed it was tight you could see that we were the better team and we in control. Lil John then popped up to make 4 -2 at half team.

The team was looking and feeling good, but some choice words at half time were need to ensure we didn’t slack off. Everyone knew the importance of the game; so it was taken on a heeded. More goals were added in the second half by Lil John, Chester and Andy to make the score look like a basketball game. Nevertheless the were many positives to take from the game both individual and team. What we do need to look at is making sure we stop giving away silly goals by poor decision making.

On a brighter note our attacking play is looking really good, Dream Team is scoring and the chances the teams creates in a game always gives us the chance  even against the tougher teams. However we do maybe need to be a bit more clinical in front of goal

Now for the ratings

Graham “Newbury No1” Tritton GK
Would admit himself that we didn’t have his best game, but his Lehmann impression for the penalty was fantastic. Distribution from hand was good. 6/10

Dave “Never gonna score skipper” De rijk RB
Good solid performance by the skipper, got forward and gave us good options down the right; tough tackling as always. 7/10

Arnold “If he dies he dies” Djedje CB
Always has a great work ethic and got his head onto most of the aerial balls played to him. 7/10

Oz “Make sure you see a doctor” Misiri CB
Went off injured inside first 5 minutes. N/A

Justin “aka Luther to the ladies” Caesar LB
Has made left back his own; and was working well with Jey down the left. Just needs to now be slightly more positive and bomb forward when needed. 7/10

John “Please never play at the back again” Hassan DM
What can I say apart from how funny it was to see him make some hilarious mistakes. Jokes aside still did a job for us, but hey john don’t call us we’ll call you. 6/10

Tom “Big Head” Gibbings AM
The kid got skills, he proved he’s the better brother, and now he proved he can move like a ninja. Moved the ball around well from the middle of the park. 7/10

Danny “Silent Assassin” Chester AM
Spud up, to my brother from another mother. Moment of the game has to be his flick round the defender to set him self up for a volley; that was straight teen wolf. Again he a good game and gave us a lot of options in midfield. 8/10

Jey “Mr Consistent” Siva WL
Dream team came to town today and as per normal was in the thick things a created as he normally does. Keep up the good work flaky. 8/10

Andy “No one will beat me” Saunders CF
Worked tirelessly up front and literally hit every thing but the goal, but in the end got the goal his work rate deserved. 8/10

Alfie “Goal of the Season” Egembah WR
I know your all gonna think that the second was across, but when you dream team your always shooting, ask Andy he knows. Enjoyed the gamed and felt we always looked like we could score more. And by the way 30 yard screamer of a free kick. 9/10

 

Subs

John “How dare you drop me” Galligan AM
Performance I’ve been waiting to see from him. Was always involved in anything good and took his goals well. It was a vintage John a la last year; keep it up and Big John can’t drop you. 9/10

Luke “Mojo” Mardle AM
Showed his usually vigour in the challenge and his vision to create. 7/10

Goals
Alfie Egembah 2
John Galligan 2
John Hassan (pen)
Danny Chester
Andy Saunders

Assist
Jey Siva 2
Tom Gibbins
Alfie Egembah
Danny Chester

Man of the Match
John Galligan