NAUGHTY WIN ON THE ROAD.........

Hi Guys, its Chislehurst’s finest Nike Air Force One wearing lad Joe Allen here, welcome to my naughty match report, not sure why but got DOD but here we go…..After an up and down start of the season, on Saturday the 1st XI played their final game before the Xmas break against Epsom away from home. After a solid performance, the week before the team were determined to make it 3 wins from 3 in the league. Notable absences from Ben Palmer who was still drinking Pina Coladas on a Cruise somewhere in the Caribbean and Charlie Speller who was at yet another wedding (must be his 4th this year). Additionally, David Lawrence had a “sore throat” and decided it would be a good idea to let the Captain know 30 minutes before the meet time he couldn’t play because he was ill. (David next year, try not to drink too much at the office Xmas party). However, the team was still in full spirits after Nikki’s team talk and my story about KitKats and we were ready to hit Epsom early to secure the valuable 3 points away from home.

The start of the game went to plan, where some good early possession led to a Short corner for Blackheath. We were subsequently awarded 2 further corners in that short corner sequence, and it was 3rd time lucky for the Club as Laxman stepped up and slotted a flick bottom right to give the club a 1-0 lead. For the next 15-20 minutes, the Club found some good possession through the right hand side and from long balls from the back by MJ and Tom Archer. Captain Lewis Burnham and new recruit from the 2s Fergus were holding the midfield well and breaking down lots of Epsom play. With 25 minutes gone the 1st XI created a great move from a free hit from the Halfway line where we again were rewarded through playing on the right-hand side. It resulted in it being smashed far post by Ian Harvey for Prem who was finally on the back post to score his first league goal for the 1st team this season (Well done son). Before the end of the 1st half, the club was guilty of overdoing the “Hollywood Ball” (Will Nurse) which allowed Epsom to counter. However, the club was able to keep Epsom out to make it 2-0 at HT.

The key message from Nikki’s team talk was ball retention. And we set out to use the midfiled more and utilise smaller passes. However, as with every game, it seems the 2nd half led to the game becoming more open and although it was better we were still guilty of giving simple possession away. As we reached the latter end of the 2nd half, Epsom started to lose their discipline where they received a number of cards which ultimately finished the game for them. However, because I hadn’t scored yet this season (that’s right 0 from 10 in the league) I wanted to get my name in the umpire’s book somehow so I decided to do a manly push into the opposite defender’s chest to get green. Epsom didn’t really look like scoring for much of the game due to solid work from the defence and we were able to get our first clean sheet of the season thanks to an outstanding performance by Quags. (Maybe if we had him sooner we wouldn't have had to wait until the last game before Xmas for one, some thoughts for the coach and captains……).

So we were able to get the 2-0 win and the 3rd win in a row to finish off 2019 in the league well. Would just like to give an honourable mention to G who let’s just say had a bit of a stinker in the 1st half. Couldn’t trap the ball and also slipped over let his opposite man through on goal. Rumour has it he was also part of the Xmas party hangover club. I have heard he's got a bet with Tom Archer on who will play the most games for the 1st team this year. As a neutral third party, all I would say is G get your wallet out son.

MOM: Lax

DOD: Joe Allen