Monday, February 2, 2009

What a difference a Ref makes....

After last weeks farcical..... no, outrageous nonsense of a game, it was fantastic to see the Leys squad set with clear-minds ready to take on the job in hand. The quality of play was present (sadly finish wasn't) but the game was conducted well & the one-sidedness of last week was put well behind them.

On a further note of last weeks...... no, words have failed me..... Emails have been passed forward to the Referees Secretary for consultation at the next league committee meeting, I am looking forward with great anticipation to some feedback on the subject & will keep you updated to their actions on the matter.

In the meantime, there is this weeks report to peruse & a fine selection of my viewing & listening for this week (albeit in my most humble opinion)



Under 16’s – Division 2

Long Crendon Youth 2 - Hale Leys Youth 0

Hale Leys Youth returned disappointed yesterday (Sunday) after what was a closely fought & visually thrilling match.

The first half was filled with attack & counter-attack but was mostly a standoff between the two sides. Long Crendon opened with a bold stance but the visitors where more than ready to hold their position & were prepared to battle, putting in a couple of strikes that kept keeper Dan Taylor-Abreu on his toes.

Long Crendons’ Ryan Scott earned them the lead 2 minutes before halftime; a break from midfield had Scott charging forward, a cheeky “flick-over & run” was enough to get him through the defence & target beyond keeper Gary Bidgways’ grasp.

The second half gave a definite feeling of déjà vu, with play taking a familiar pattern; Leys getting chances that just wouldn’t come to fruition & Crendon replying with dangerous breaks that kept the defence line working hard to quash.

As the match drew to a close Leys looked hard within themselves to try & grab an equaliser, when in the 76th minute a Long Crendon corner put the game beyond doubt. From the set piece the ball curled over the well-filled box & although the defence managed to turn the ball away from goal Joss Robinson was on hand to sink it away through the confusion.