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Aldborough Hatch 1 v 2 Newbury Forest (Essex Junior Trophy)

Well it was clash of the Titans at Parsloes Park last Sunday, with two good footballing sides coming together. All the talking will end and the boasting will begin. With so much pride on the line the tension was bound to reach boiling point. The game was massive in itself, let alone the fact that it was for a place in the Essex Cup Quarter final. This just added to the emotion and pressure of the game.

We knew it would probably be our toughest test as a team but we were up for the fight. The new found tinker man JH, sprung a few surprises with team selection, but hey its not like he doesn’t do this every week, he’s getting worse than Benitez.
Anyway back to the team, there was a distinct lack of nerves before the game, the one thing we are is a vocal up and at them team, it felt as if we lost a bit of mojo or belief in ourselves. By kick off I definitely had a dodgy feel in my stomach that if we didn’t pull ourselves out of this we might be out of the game before it’s even started.

True to form Hatch did dominate the opening encounters; they had good players across the park and they tried to play football. It was as if we didn’t want to get near them. Midfield was having too much time on the ball, which allowed them to control the game. Low and behold all this dominance was sooner or later going to pay off and Hatch got the goal they deserved. However, if anything that just awoke the beast that is Newbury Forest. Finally we were starting to get a foot in the game. We started to close them down earlier giving them less time on the ball now putting more pressure on them. From this we started to apply have more pressure and they were unable to get the ball moving around the field. At last we were getting more joy down the flanks. Flaky with a free kick bends one like Beckham and its 1 -1, however just for the record it goes down as an own goal because it came off the keeper. In a short matter of time it was 2 -1 as the Goal Machine got in on the act with a good solo run and strike.

Half time wasn’t really wanted by us, but we looked to regroup and come out fighting. We controlled large parts of the second half but couldn’t get the third killer goal. As the half wore it became obvious that we were the better team, but to be fair the Hatch never gave up. As it got to the final minutes they had a few chances that could have taken it to extra time if not won it for them. Overall the better team won, but the Hatch did perform well and I’m sure they will do well this year.

Now the ratings

Graham “Newbury’s No1” Tritton GK
Getting much better with his distribution, which will soon be another weapon for us to use. 7/10

Chris “Animal” Wallbank RB
First time I can really say he’s played like how he did last year.  Had a good tussle with the left winger all game and just about shaded it. 8/10

Nick “Chav King” Marable CB
As much as it pains me to say, he had an immense game. Started a little slow but grew to epic proportions. Pulled off 2 out of this world challenges, some might say Bobby Moore esq. I wouldn’t though. 8/10
 
Arnold “I pity the fool who tries to move me” Djedje CB
Absolute rock at the back, got beaten for pace once which just made him angry. This just meant someone was getting moved, and boy did he get moved. 8/10

Dave “Finally turns up for once” De Rijk LB
Skipper had another solid game at the back, always plugging the holes that need to be plugged. He’s like Mr Muscle, loves the jobs you hate. Has a close contender for moment of the match with his ridiculous left foot cross, ha ha. 8/10

John “Mr Tinker Man aka Benitez” Hassan DM
Not the best game I’ve seen him play, but to be fair I know he was ill. However we always get the steeliness in the middle of the park; got better as the game wore on. 7/10

Tom “I’m the better brother“ Gibbins AM
Had a point to prove and I thought he did it. Always neat and tidy and likes to spread the ball. Bragging rights at home I believe. 7/10

Danny “Teen Wolf’s the name” Chester AM
Another industrious performance by the wolf; always gives 110% and never gives up. Reminds me of a young skipper who now plays at the back. Has a lot to his game and gave us good options going forward.

Jey “The Tamil with the Wooden Spoon” Siva WL
Another good shift by the flaky one. Always gonna give teams a challenge; and also linked well with his full back. 7/10

Andy “Goal a game Baby” Saunders CF
Took his goal well, and worked hard from the front. What can we say, goal a game. 7/10

Luke “Mr Angry” Mardle WR
Apart from some how getting the full back booked even though it was him who fouled him, had a decent game when he had the ball and went at him. 7/10

Subs

Alfie “Dream Team” Egembah WR
Came on and crunched a few players it was great, a good little cameo. 7/10

John “Lil Pol whose getting a bit big” Galligan DM
Came on in his new found holding role and did a solid job. 7/10

Dave “Energiser Bunny” AM
Came on and used his energy well, closed down and harassed the other team. 7/10

Goals
OG
Andy Saunders

Man of the Match
Nick Marrable