It will come ………..

Today’s squad Frankie, Morgan, Tom, Edonis, Joey, Saul, Connor, Arlind, Jed, Reynolds, Gabe, Theo, Joel, Morris and Oliver

First thank to everyone on getting there on time, I know for most it was around an hour. However for me it felt like most of you were still asleep for the first five minutes. Little talking movement , calling for the ball etc etc etc….

Finally you woke and had the first meaning full attack Saul won the ball and Arlind played it forward to Connor who shot well but the keeper made a fantastic save. The next five minutes you started to play, but they looked dangerous on the counter and from a clearence the ball broke on our right. No one closed the man down and a free shot that flew into the top corner. 1.0 down and i have no idea why.

Still we played the better football, Maybe Saul header from a corner did creep in but it was too tight to call with no goaline technology. Maybe we should of had a penalty. In the meantime they won a corner the first header got cleared no one closed the man on the edge, shot, Goal 2.0

Another break and Frankie saves brilliantly on a one v one situation.

Theo created a good chance down the right played a one too and could of cross (two men unmarked at the back) but shot near post and it was a great save.

With about five minutes to go we were still playing the better football but not taking out opportunities, finally we did good work down the left, the ball fell to Jed who lashed it home. 2.1 and that was HT

Second half started and i felt we invited them on to much, put ourselves under pressure and did not clear our lines properly too much “to you, to me ” nice football but not in our last quarter under pressure. After around 15 minutes we broke, hitting them on the counter, I think Morris got kicked in the box and the ref gave a penalty. Tom placed it in the corner 2.2 back in the game.

However our joy was to be short lived, from a corner the opposition rose unchallenged and scored a header. The sad thing was that was the first corner you switched off for. You had defended them so well from a much taller team. Edonis and Saul won some great headers. 3.2 fifteen minutes to go

With ten minutes to go along ball from the back and the sun blinds Frankie as he comes out. The forward bundles the ball in and then kicks Frankie in the head afterwards 4.2 ten minutes to go. Frankie knock to the head means Reynolds goes in goal for the last ten.

We still created chances, I really thought Gabe scored but shot at the keeper, the ball got cleared but we picked up the loose ball and Morris just misses with a thundering header. Yes a little Argy bargy at the end between Edonis and the No 5 (who also elbowed Jed) but nothing serious 4.2 FT

What can i say….. The referee was good, no blame there, you played well in parts. Where you the better team probably yes but we did not take chances or close down men quickly enough. I have no doubt we can turn this round, you have played some tough teams which will stand you well in the league.

MoTM, Saul, Edonis, & Morgan all defended well today making some good headers and interceptions. Connor played well creating a few chances and good corners (bah one LOL) and crosses. But today it went to Jed who worked hard scored a good goal and only came off due to injury. Well done Jed

Boys no training this week, Nick will let you all know about the match next week.

In the meantime lets encourage everyone, get behind everyone and get this win your season deserves .

So So unlucky

Today’s squad Reynolds, Edonis, Morgan, Jack, Ollie, Louis, Saul, Connor, Jed, Morris, Gabe, Theo, Joel and Bucks (Oh and the BENCH)

For the second week in row we were hit by late fitness call, both Tom and Joey had to pull out, Get better soon boys.

We started well, yes we did invite some pressure and i think they had four corners in the first five minutes, they probably should of scored but the ball went over the bar, After five minutes we got a free kick, too many pushed forward and when the ball as cleared we got caught short at the back. A great run from there forward who finished well 1.0

This actually woke you up and gradually we got back into the game, we started to win the midfield and create chances going forward. Morris looked to have scored a goal but was given off side but i am sure he wasn’t off side some else was. Thus began the referees selective reffing……..Soon after Gabe looked to have scored with a really good header but this time it was judged not to have gone over the line. Another dubious call.

Bucks came on and within minutes was taken out really badly falling on his shoulder, for me a definite free kick but the ref played on and they nearly scored. For the last Fifteen minutes you were the much better side playing the better football. With time gone the played a corner, we cleared the initial threat but failed to close down the shot, it flew into the top corner, DAM 2.0 HT

Second half we started where we left off from the first on the front foot and creating the better chances. Theo and Louis worked well down the right and the ball played into the box and Louis was on hand to finish. A really good and well deserved goal 2.1

Suddenly the pressure was all us. The back three were playing well now and clearing most of the danger. The midfield looked solid and a threat in attack. Morris  closed the defender lost the ball, it fell to Connor who played it back to Morris who finished in the bottom corner 2.2

Literally the next five minutes was crazy First we attacked down the right the ball got played across to Jed who i thought was going to smash it into the net however his Right foot (Jed’s all left) went straight at the keeper if anything he hit it too well, a scuffed miss hit would of gone in. We carry on attacking suddenly a break is on first a offside decision not given (Players in a offside position, but didn’t get the ball in the first half that was offside) play continues Reynolds comes out and dives at the feet misses both man and ball, and ball rolls out ….Penalty ???? Your kidding , for what ME NO understand !!!! Even David (Gabe Dad/Linesman cannot believe it, but the refwill not listen) 3.2

Now boys we mentioned this last week don’t drop concentration or lose focus you do and you will get punished. Yes i think Jack was fouled in the build up but you were all asleep and not tracking back 4.2

Last twenty minutes it got a bit fiesty, Morris was kicked by there centre half (no booking) , Jack moaned, (booking) there midfielder hacked Gabe down when through (Booking).

Saul nearly scored from a Corner by Connor, Gabe had the ball in the net but was rightly ruled offside.With two minutes to go, you got what your play deserved Morris ran through and finished excellently. 4.3

With West Herts rocking the referee decided to play about 1 minute of added time i cannot guess why !!!! 4.3 FT

Well done all of you again cannot fault your effort and commitment, I am sure your first league win is just round the corner.

MoTM. Players of mention Morgan excellent first half when we were under pressure some fine clearences, Morris worked hard upfront got two goals, Joel ran is socks off in 4 positions for the team. Louis Rickard is my MoTM worked hard in midfield and scored the goal that got us back into the game.

Well done all of you

Training THURSDAY 6.30PM

End of Cups run ….. But great debut for the new BENCH …..

Today’s squad Frankie, Jack, Tom, Bucks, Joey, Louis, Saul, Connor, Jed, Reynolds, Morris, Gabe, Theo and Joel. We lost our Captain Morgan to a late fitness test before the game (Man-Flu).

This was a team relegated from the Top division last year, so one above us now, so every seemed a little nervous however you settled very quickly and was very much in the game. However with Five minutes gone we let there turn on the edge of the area , everyone backed off and he played a simple through ball to striker who was clean though 1.0 Cannot give players that sort of space at this level.

Again we kept going a couple very dubious lines man decision were given against us, a couple times the man who got the ball was on side and the linesman still flagged for a different player. Fifteen minutes later probably there second attack again we didn’t track back, got caught out of position 2.0

Still i thought we looked a good side against and finally it showed. some good work in the middle and Morris out muscled the defender and made it 2.1 a good goal and back in the game.

However the referee had a different idea and almost straight from the kick off a ball is played and a penalty is awarded against Tom which i thought could of easily been our free kick. Frankie no chance 3.1

The last ten minutes we pulled ourselves back into the game. Jack and Tom began to control the back, Saul was sweeping well upfront, Joey was creating opportunities and Gabe was working hard coming on as sub. It was from one of these that Gabe broke free and smashed the ball into the back of the net a really fantastic goal 3.2

Last five and i felt they were holding on but could not get the goal that i felt your first half performance deserved 3.2 HT

Second half started well again, Gabe had a early chance that went wide and a couple of times we looked to break through the back four. Once we agin though we got done giving the ball away too cheaply. We had a couple of chances to play the forward just inside there half but we tried to beat too many players. They broke down our right, switch it to the left and then it came back over again, Theo tripped the forward in the box penalty. They scored but were made to re-take as Jack went into the box (another strange decision) the retook penalty still scored but Frankie almost got a hand to it.4.2 To compound everything Theo got a Yellow card for the tackle!

Unfortunately your heads did drop for a moment and i think two minutes later it 5.2 after a fluky goal not even sure how it went in

Nick rang the changes and pushed it back to 4.4.2 and it almost paid dividends straight away. The ball got fed out to Reynolds and he ran into the box with it. For me it was a penalty and would swung momentum again but referee waved it away (another strange decision) Now we had a lot more in attack but at the same time open to the counter. It was from a counter they made it 6.2

Last ten minutes you still tried which was excellent to see. We created a few chance and best was a ball from Saul into Jed whose left foot Cross shot just alluded Morris at the far post. 6.2 FT

Personally i don’t think the score reflected the match, it was mush closer than it shows, in another day and a different circumstances i believe you would win.

MoTM First just gonna say was pleased with everyones performance and attitude in trying circumstances. Players to note Jack- Played well in an unfamiliar center half position. Joey lots of effort and looked really dangerous going forward in the first half from wing back but today it went to Tom, marshaled a new defense well tried to keep pushing the team forward with every opportunity and even had a couple really good free kicks. Well done.

Right so its now back to the league and i want to see the same commitment, you all being vocal and team work i have done for the last two weeks.

Training on Tuesday please bring the correct boots & Shin pads!!!

Today’s Squad Frankie, Theo, Morgan, Tom, Edonis, Jed, Connor, Saul, Louis, Ollie, Morris, Joey, Jack, Arlind and Reynolds.

Foxes players i know Jack, Archie, Hadley, Jegern, David, Chris, Rapha, Kwame, Billy and the others

First of all just going to say it was a really good game and i was so pleased at the way the Herons players all tried and gave there all against the first team the Foxes.

Nick started the Game with Three at the back and a strong midfield, yes it did make us a little light up front but at times you need to play certain ways and to be honest it worked.

You all started so much better this week and from the off you were closing down and making tackles. Morris held the ball really well upfront at times and we were unlucky not to hit them on the break. The midfield three of Saul, Louis and Connor worked hard and the defensive three of Morgan, Tom & Edonis all looked solid. A few half chances came and went for both team, both having  goal ruled out for offside. With thirty minutes gone a corner was played in and cleared, however the returning ball in was deflected off Saul and flew into the back of the net. In the last five minute the Herons had some pressure of there own. First Saul was denied by a great save from Hadley and then from the next corner the resulting corner ended up looking like a penalty but after discussion with the lineman it was not given 0.1 HT

Second half started much like the second alot of pressure from Foxes but again the Herons held firm. After 15 mins of the second half the Foxes broke down the right a long cross drifted into the top corner 0.2

Still no heads dropped and you kept fighting with 15 minutes to go the Foxes scored then 3rd a really good corner and was met with a thumping header. 0.3

Last ten minutes was very end to end Nick went back to a flat back four which gave ourselves and them a few chances. Archie should of scored for Foxes and Ollie should of got a consolation goal at the end for Herons but neither were to be. Final score 0 .3

MoTM . A very tough one today, for the Herons every player uped their game from the week before and pushed to the last minute. MAKE NO MISTAKE boys you will need to play at this level every week! So i will give it to ….. ALL of YOU.

As for Foxes I will mention David, Rapha who had good games, but for me Jack was instrumental in controlling the Foxes play Well done.

To all of you great game, enjoyed it. Other highlight no lost match balls !!!

See you at training on Tuesday

Welcome to the Big league !!!

Today’s squad Frankie, Tom, Morgan Edonis, Jed, Reynolds, Saul, Louis, Connor, Ollie Mc, Morris, Gabe, Joey, Theo and Louis.

Well we learnt very quickly that you cannot start slow. First couple of mins a speculative ball into the box and Frankie miss read the flight and fumbled it into the back of net. Shortly after we are still asleep , no marking a simple ball in and a clear run into goal. 0.2 with 5 minutes gone !!!!

We started to get back into the game and got back on a even keel, Nick switched it to 5 at the back and we seemed to stop the flow of goals. Chances going forward were limited though. With 20 minutes gone they attacked down our left and cut in. no one closed on the ball and the player let fly with an excellent shot. 0.3

The good news was that you didn’t let your heads drop but kept playing soon after we got a free kick in there half. Tom floated the ball in there defender poked it into the net 1.3 Back into the game.

With five minutes to go Gabe broke down the left fed the ball to Ollie Mc who challenged the keeper who spilt the ball and poked it into the net 2.3. Thats how it stayed till half time but we were back in the match.

Second half once again started too slow, a quickly taken corner and the tallest man was free , unmarked (ex -player Charney) free head top corner 2.4. To honest we still came under a lot of pressure but always looked threatening on the counter attack. Gabe, Ollie Mc were dangerous down the wings , Saul began to dominate more in midfield and the defense started to control more.

There were chances at either end The Whetstone keeper saved really well from Ollie Morris and almost straight away Frankie saved two one on one. More chances came Connor played a free kick in and with 4 players in the six yard area free it looked like we must score but somehow it didn’t go in. Two minutes Connor was played in by Joey and his left foot shot went the wrong side of the post.

With ten minute to go Nick sacrificed the 5 at the back to try and get that goal that would get us in the game. Gabe was unlucky again on occasion and you kept pushing forward which began to leave holes. From one of our attacks they broke quickly Frankie saved with feet on the one on one but the player following up calmly finished 2.5

That would be it till full time 😦

Not the way we wanted to started but i think it will stand you in good stead as you now know how hard this league will be. A couple of points

1 Must start stronger, switched on and alert at the start of each half

2 Stronger in the tackle too often we let the ball get away

3 Keep tracking back if you lose the ball

4 No sloppy goals

5 Must take our chances

6 If you beat a player look to get the ball away ASAP once you are in space. You will not beat three players in this league.

All in all i was still pleased how you played for the first competive match, Yes we have some tough Cup games coming up but not worried about the result more on the performance, there is no room passengers.

MoTM, Saul and Jed worked as hard as usual, but for me the MoTM on his debut was Ollie Mc he worked hard up and down the right and always looked a threat, topping it all with a goal on his debut. Well done

Training Tuesday 6.15 Barnet Lane no Astro or Blades see you then

Well done all, Please see some photos from today.

Players Player of the Season – Saul

Managers Player of the Season – Jed

End of Season affair …………

Today’s squad Frankie, Louis, Morgan, Edonis, Jed, Arlind, Tom, Connor,Chris, Joey, Gabe, Saul and Theo.

The match started well, everyone quiet but the football was good. Pitch was difficult very bumpy but its the same for both teams, However the first chance fell to Finchley and Frankie made a excellent save. Five minutes later they broke again and Frankie made another really good save. Frankie played the ball out after the save and Joey picked it up drove at the defense and released Gabe who’s first time shot went over the keeper 0.1

Now that we were up we should of pushed on however sloppy defending and Edonis knocks the ball into the goal 1.1

Another attack and Chris does well down the right and wins a corner. Jed floats in a great ball and Edonis powers in a fantastic header. 1.2 with 20 minutes gone.

Still chances come and go but to be honest we were not testing the keeper enough, with five minutes to go a hopeful ball up field catches up asleep. We had 2 or 3 chances to clear before the ball is played forward, now personally i thought the player was in a offside position but it was not given we stopped chasing and they scored 2.2  – Play to the whistle !!!!! H.T

Second half started and we were still on the side lines ball played wide down the left played across the goal and tapped in 3.2

Very soon another silly error cost us, A mix up between Frankie and Morgan left the forward a empty net to role the ball into 4.2

After this we went to pot !!! Gave the ball away too cheaply didn’t track back and did not take our chances. Yes we were unlucky with a couple of efforts from Gabe and Louis but in general it was not good enough. I am not going to go on but lets just say looking for a marked improvement in the last game. I going to put this down to “Already on the Beach” syndrome.

MoTM – Not today i am afraid 😦

See you all at training tomorrow

As the magnificent Queen said “We are the Champions” (not that any of the boys know who Queen are) LOL

Today’s squad Frankie, Tom, Morgan, Edonis, Joel, Joey, Saul, Louis, Connor, Chris, Gabe, Arlind and Jack.

Slow slow start at first it felt like we were all out for a Sunday stroll, intensity was low and all very lethargic. Still as we expected we had the more possession but found it difficult to break them down. The strikers found it hard to get on the ball as they played Five at the back , sat very deep and the pitch was very small so little space to exploit. We had a couple of half chances but didn’t get our shots away. Again we guilty of holding the ball too long after we had beaten a player. As we seem to do so often we gave away the first goal. We got caught from our corner as they broke, they played it down the left and had a spare man at the back to tap it into a empty net 1.0

So that was 20 minutes to ago and we started to wake up , we started to play some nice passing and began to exert some real pressure. I thought we should of scored from the 6 or 7 corners we had in the first half.A quickly taken freekick from Connor to Tom ended up with Gabe being really unlucky not to score at the near post

With ten minutes to go Nick change it round a bit pushed Tom into midfield and paid dividends straight away. Tom ran on to a through ball and hit a scuffed shot on the turn but it fooled everyone himself included as it went. 1.1

From here it was one way traffic for the rest of the game. Arlind played some nice balls from the right which we were unlucky not to score from. Another corner and the ball was cleared however it came to Tom at the edge of the box and he shot into the far corner 1.2 HT

Second half started and we were back to our normal selves Joey was unlucky with a couple of runs but the pressure and very soon we got the goal our play deserved. Connor picked the ball up in midfield and as he drove forward the striker kicked his legs away. Tom took the free kick and lasted it into the corner 1.3

More chances were to come Gabe again was unlucky as he latched onto a long ball forward. Arlind played a good ball to Connor who’s shot hit the top of the cross bar. Frankie swept well at the back and i thought Morgan and Edonis started to control their forwards with ease.

Still the chances came Joey unlucky with a run and Shot, Tom just wide from another free kick, Chris went on a couple of cracking runs only to be thwarted by some last ditch tackles. Louis was unlucky with a shot that went just wide of the post. The last 10 minutes only had one real highlight Morgan had his heels clipped by the same forward who done it all game lost his rag a bit and pushed him. Nick was not impressed especially as he only did it because Morgan was dominating him and was the better player. Note to everyone keep your cool and let the referee deal with, even if he is as poor as as today’s one who was not very communicative.

Final whistle went and 1.3 not our best performance but not our worst however enough to WIN THE LEAGUE !!!!!

MoTM, A few contenders today Arlind played well on the wing he listened to our advice and played the ball a lot quicker today after he had beaten one player. Joel good game at left back still learning his trade but made a lot of tackles , Connor won a lot of tackles in midfield and his passing excellent to the forwards however today it goes to Tom a scored a hat trick played right back, right midfield, center midfield , strike and ended up at center half. worked hard for the team and scored some vital goals at the right time.

Well done everyone for winning the league it has been very much a team effort we haven’t relied on one single player you all have stepped up when needed. The reason we won was the work you all do for each other and the goals have been some fantastic team goals.

We still have two games to go and it would be great to win them both and finish as strong as we started

See you at training tomorrow 6.30PM Ashmole

Some Good football and back to winning ways……

Today’s squad Frankie, Tom, Edonis, Morgan, Bucks, Joey, Saul, Connor, Theo, Chris, Gabe, Arlind and Joel.

I do believe Morgan won the Toss and kicked up hill the first half, Hes a great T******** LOL. The match started from the off we had them on the back foot. Chris and Gabe were proving a handful for the defense. The first chance came and Gabe was unlucky. Joey was unlucky with a early shot and the pressure was all us. Finally we got the goal our first ten minutes deserved. Connor played the ball through and Gabe ran on, out muscled the defender and finished well bottom corner. 0.1

Next ten minutes it was still all us and were very unlucky not too have scored more, between Connor passing the ball forward and Chris maze runs we were creating chance after chance. However this was too change Gabe got caught in the face and went down. The Ref saw it and most players (ours & there’s) stopped however suddenly the Ref says play on. This catches everyone by surprise and long ball to the forward who was offside scored. The Goal stood, now we can moan all we want but the fact is and Nick as he said before the game and at half time play to the whistle. If a team mate is down lets clear the ball off the pitch so he can get attention but don’t stop till the ball is dead. 1.1

Anyway this effected our play for the next ten minutes and we got out under some pressure. Frankie came off his line well to clear a couple of dangerous balls and the defense held firm. Gradually we got back into the game and the last five minutes was all us. Arlind played a good ball through and Theo’s shot was well saved. Another chance fell to Theo, Connor crossed and Theo headed (YES HEADED) a ball that just drifted wide so unlucky HT 1.1

Second half finished where we left off. Chris and Gabe with the slope caused them so many problems. Again first ten minutes and you pushed them back. Saul had a shot and it well saved. Another Saul shot was blocked by a defender but fell to Chris who hit it really well. The keeper i have to say made a fantastic save down to his left with one hand to turn it away for a corner.

Not long after though Chris got his goal that his play deserved. A ball down the left found Chris who cut in and coolly finished .1.2

Very soon after the game was put to bed. Connor picked up the ball in his own half and drove forward. The defense backed off and backed off wary of Chris and Gabe’s runs. Finally he shoots lets just say it wasn’t the best shot i ever seen almost a pass back. However the keeper made a right mess and it rolls through his legs and just has enough power to go over the line.  If you don’t shoot you don’t score …. a goal is a goal ….. 1.3.

The last twenty minutes it was one way traffic. Morgan and Edonis marshaled the defense really well ably helped by Tom or Saul in the holding role. A long ball from Connor and Gabe finished well . 1.4

A short goal kick that didn’t come out of the box had to be played again, again they tried the short Gabe intercepted and ran the ball back towards Goal shot and scored . 1.5

Joey had a couple of great runs and shots that just went over the bar but today was not to be his day. Theo pushes up from full back plays a 1-2 with Arlind , drives into box and finishes nice Goal 1.6

Last couple of minutes and we still looked for more Goals, the ball fell to Tom on the edge of the area and i thought it was in but it drifted wide. Final score 1.6

All really well played. The pitch was awful in the center circle but really good out wide. I thought you all played intelligent football today playing the football when in the good parts and no nonsense in the sticky patches.

MoTM Three contenders today, Gabe hat-trick created chances and worked hard for the team, Connor a goal two assists and some great balls to the forwards, Chris didn’t stop running, worked hard upfront and helped out in defense had a great shot saved but scored a good goal that his play deserved. Chris got MoTM well done.

Training tomorrow Ashmole as usual

Next week Red Kit, 9.30am The London Academy against Aldenham

Cup run over…………….

First sorry i forgot to take photos today, too busy warming up. If anyone does take photos during the game please feel free to send them to me for the blog.

Today’s squad Frankie, Jack, Morgan, Edonis, Bucks, Joel, Saul, Connor, Arlind, Joel, Reynolds, Tom, Jed and Theo.

It was a very tight and close game, which i think will be judged by the length of the blog LOL. Anyway match started and i thought it was tight a lot of midfield battles and the defence sweeping up. The first real chance feel to them. They broke through the middle and Frankie saved well, however ball fell to another opposition player who i thought was going to score, But Frankie was back on his feet quickly and made a great save at the base of the post.

Next chance fell to us the ball was played out from the back to Connor who in turn slid it to Reynolds and his first time shot was well saved by the keeper. Arlind made a great pass forward that also resulted in the keeper making a good save from Reynolds. Jed was unlucky with a strike just out the box. But don’t let my report fool you we were under pressure a lot but the back four dealt well with the attacks well, also Berkhamsted were a danger at corners with there two 6 foot plus center backs always a threat HT 0.0

Second half i felt we started the better team and created a couple half chances. Jed made a couple of great runs down the left and wrecked a couple of there players. Jed played a ball in the Connor headed first time from the edge of the box and it went just wide.

After around 15 minutes Saul won the ball in midfield and drove forward, as he pushed the ball forward it ricocheted off a defender and feel nicely for Reynold who took one touch and fired into the corner of the goal. A deserved goal for Reynolds after a lot of selfless running a creating a couple of chances 0.1

Next 10 minutes we came under a bit of pressure again mainly from corners. I think Saul won three great headers in a row and then Edonis one, On the break we looked dangerous and Saul hit the crossbar with a shot just outside the box. Finally though pressure told and with ten minutes to go they equalized from a corner 1.1

Last minutes was a little bit frantic and no one had any real chances final score 1.1

MoTM : A difficult one this week, as i thought everyone worked much harder than last week. The game did get broken up by stoppages whist the ball was retrieved and i cannot believe the ref didn’t play any added time. so i am going to give it as unit “The defence” but for the report i will give it to Jack. He has had a few games out and at times not been fully switched on. Today he was strong, committed and focused. I expect to see this type of performance every week now JACK !!!

Well done all of you and see you at training tomorrow