4th XI Match Reports
03/11/2007
Norseman 1
BROOMFIELD 5
D. Combe 2, Stuart, Rory, Danny Fitzgerald
Often in a game of football there is one point in
the match that decides a game. This match was won when midway through the second
half Rory picked up the ball on the left hand side, cut in, and bent the ball
past the Norseman ’keeper from around 25 yards out. That made the score 3-1 the
momentum Norseman had gained was blasted away and from then on a Broomfield
victory was never in doubt.
The away side got off to a flying start and found themselves 2-0 up within eight
minutes. Firstly a beautiful ball over the top from Joe found David Combe on the
left hand side who drilled the ball under the goalie. Minutes later Stuart
collected the ball twenty yards out and his shot, via a deflection, found itself
in the back of the net. In all honesty the Norseman custodian may have felt he
could have done better with both efforts. For the opening half an hour
Broomfield’s play was irresistible with Fod, Joe and Danny Fitzgerald tormenting
the opposition defence. Joe almost grabbed a third for Broomfield when he blazed
through the home defence with a superb run.
Unfortunately the quality of Broomfield’s football declined in the run up to
half time. There was no improvement early in the second which allowed Norseman
to get into the game, a ball over the top caught the left back out of position
and the Norseman right winger angled a shot which crept in at the far post. Next
was an awkward period of play as Norseman pushed without really threatening in
the final third. Then came Rory’s goal and that was the match won. Gary Wilson
emerged from the bench to shore things up in the midfield.
The win was made more emphatic when Danny Fitzgerald broke free on the right,
deftly beat the ‘keeper and slotted in the fourth, The game ended as it had
begun with a goal from David Combe, superbly put through by Dave Watts, down the
left hand side This remarkable start to the season means that Broomfield 4s have
now won four out of four league games. Next week is a prime chance to make it
five with a game away at second from bottom Alexandra Park. Oh and Gary please
don’t forget your kit next Saturday… just a thought.
Team: (3-5-2) Gianni - Wooten, S. Williams, Burden - D. Combe, D. Fitzgerald, D.
Watts, Joe, Stuart (G. Wilson) - R. Walker, Fod (Rory)
20/10/2007
BROOMFIELD 0
Kew Association 3
For the second time in a week Broomfield fell
victim to Kew in separate cup events. Despite the return of star players Simon
Fitzgerald and David Combe, it was not enough to overcome a Kew side several
leagues above. Kew, apparently, had made more changes from the previous weeks
encounter for the better.
Playing up the hill in the first half Broomfield created the better of the early
chances, Terry and Danny stretching the play and creating good attacking
positions, Barney Jones had a header slightly over after great work from Joe and
Combe‘s 30 yard effort flew wide. Unfortunately the breakthrough did not happen
and Broomfield suddenly fell behind. A Kew corner was drilled into the near post
where it ricocheted horribly into the 6 yard box and their number ten was on
hand to bundle it in.
Confidence was still reasonably high entering the second half but it soon
evaporated as Kew took a two goal advantage, yours truly cannot remember the
goal at all but can assure readers he was highly pissed off. Naturally some
indiscipline set in as Broomfield chased the game and fitness levels were
exposed as the Kew strikeforce, which proved to be rather rapid, maintained
their penetrative runs throughout. Broomfield almost pulled a goal back on
several occasions, firstly Rob Walker fired a half volley straight into the
‘keepers face (prompting their forward to exclaim in surprise “Christ I thought
he was a bit of pussy!”) Obviously not, although he was lucky to escape with his
nose not being broken. Danny Fitzgerald then went on a mazy run bamboozling the
defence and somehow getting through about five players, unfortunately Danny
looked just as shocked as everyone else as he snatched at his shot which was
tipped wide for a corner. Terry also had an audacious volley tipped over the bar
from around 25 yards out. Had any of these chances gone in the games complexion
would definitely have altered. As it was, Kew on the counter attack managed to
carve out another goal, and in an act of extreme generosity their forward
instead of scoring squared the ball to his strike partner to strike home. Kew
were denied a late penalty when David Combe, due to a combination of lethargy
and poor fitness, pulled back their portly central midfielder when he was
through on goal.
All in all although Broomfield deserved to lose, 3-0 was a little harsh, 2-1 or
3-2 would have been a fairer reflection. However, like with the previous week,
it was Kew who progressed to the next round. It has to be mentioned that
throughout the match Kew demonstrated great sportsmanship and politeness and
played their part in this highly competitive game. We wish them the best for the
future rounds of this competition.
Had their been a press conference following the match manager Johnny Jones would
surely have wheeled out the clichés about “concentrating on the league” and next
week we are back to the rigmarole of the main competition, looking to maintain
our 100% winning record.
Team (3-5-2): Simon Fitzgerald, L. Wooten, A. Bell (Rory), D. Combe, Terry,
Danny Fitzgerald, D. Watts, Joe, Ricky (S. Williams), B. Jones, R. Walker
Man of the Match: Fod - didn’t put a foot wrong.
13.10.2007
Southgate Olympic 1
No.9
BROOMFIELD 4
Rob Walker 2, David Combe, Rory
The fourth
team juggernaut steamed on with a comprehensive destruction of top of the table
Southgate Olympic. The side welcoming back stalwarts Alex Bell and Dave Watts
maintained their customary 3-5-2 formation even in the absence of manger Johnny
Jones.
Both teams
went into the game undefeated and Broomfield got off to a great start thanks to
a quick goal from talismanic striker Rob Walker. Walker made an interception
from a vastly under hit backpass before casually steering it past the ‘keeper
for one-nil. Minutes later it was two, Walker found himself in space with the
goalkeeper hopelessly off the line, an accurate lob served to double the
Broomfield lead. Walker seems to be rolling back the years with three goals in
the last two games. Olympic were top for a reason and they fought back and
managed to get on the scoresheet. Their number nine had been a thorn in the
Broomfield defence and had several times forced Simon Fitzgerald into making
some good saves. It was he who managed to climb highest to reach a cross and his
header glanced the underside of the bar and in.
With half time approaching Broomfield were able to re-establish their two goal
cushion. David Combe received the ball in the left back position and played a
cross field ball into the path of Stuart Yates. Stuart was able to gain control
of the bouncing ball and slide the ball across the edge of the area to David who
had made a barnstorming run from left back. No-one was surprised at the outcome.
(Self adulatory? Yes. But as writer it is my prerogative.)
So came the second half and despite hushed murmurs about having to play up the
hill Broomfield overcame natures barrier to boss proceedings. Dave Watts was
able to have more time on the ball and he was able to release the likes of Danny
Fitzgerald and Terry whose pace and dribbling proved a constant menace to the
Olympic backline. In defence Alex, John and Lawrie were imperious in the air
allowing nothing through. Then came a historic moment: Olympic brought on a
player older than the combined age of our defence (approximately 113). In effect
this killed the game, had we been playing sometime in between the Second Boer
War and World War One, he may have had an impact but alas it was not so.
Broomfield remained positive till the last with Rob having a hat-trick goal
disallowed after heading home from Terry’s cross. It was Terry again who created
pandemonium with a searing run and squared ball which Rory tucked home for the
easiest of easy finishes. There was yet time for Simon Fitzgerald to make a good
save before the final whistle was blown.
Next week yours truly will not be around as he is being forced to attend a
wedding. However, I am in no doubt that this bandwagon will keep rolling!!!
Team: Simon Fiterald, Alex Bell, John Burden, Lawrie Wooten, David Combe, Danny
Fitzgerald (Fod), Dave Watts, Terry, Stuart Yates, Roman (Rory), Rob Walker
6.10.2007
BROOMFIELD 1
Rob Walker
Winchmore Hill 0
The fourth
eleven maintained their hundred percent record on Saturday with a narrow, yet
comfortable 1-0 victory against arch rivals Winchmore Hill. Although possession
was relatively even Simon Fitzgerald wasn’t force into a save throughout the
game. Despite several changes as the back with Mark and John Burden coming in
for Alex Bell and Norman respectively the defence worked well as a cohesive unit
not allowing the opposition attackers any time on the ball or room to manoeuvre.
Had George Graham been watching he would have been in ecstasy watching the
Broomfield continually pushing out to trap the Winchmore strikers offside.
In midfield without Dave Watts it was up to “Midfield General” Gary Wilson to
dictate the tempo as he side stepped his man time again to feed balls through to
the likes of Barney and Rob upfront. He was ably assisted in the center by Joe
and Sam who battled hard for every ball. Late in the first half Broomfield made
the breakthrough, a delightful inswinging corner by David Combe was directed
into the net by Rob Walker. It could have been more before half time when a
powerful Wilson shot ricocheted of the crossbar before eluding all blue shirts
as it bounced around the penalty box. The first few moments of the second half
almost produced a second goal. Twice Stuart, who had an impressive game, surged
forward from right wing back but was unable to put the finishing touches to well
worked moves. Another swerving corner was then cleared off the line by the
Winchmore defence. As the game grew older Winchmore seemed to lose their
positional discipline leaving space especially on the wings which Broomfield
were unable to capitalise on. The pressure mounted in the dying minutes but
Winchmore were unable to carve a clear opening. The final whistle meant
Broomfield could celebrate their second successive win and first clean sheet of
the season. Broomfield are now 3rd in the table and play away at Southgate
Olympic next week who are top of the table with 7 points from 3 games.
Team: (3-5-2) 1. Simon Fitzgerald, 2. Stuart 3.David Combe 4. Mark, 5. John
Burden, 6. Lawrie Wooten, 7. Gary Wilson (captain), 8. Sam, 9. Joe , 10. Rob
Walker, 11. Barney Jones subs: Fod, Rory.
29.9.2007
BROOMFIELD 3
Own Goal, D. Combe, B. Jones
Old Esthameians 2
Someone, Someone else
This first
league game of the season pitted an Esthameians side whose strikeforce could all
run the hundred metres in sub eleven seconds; against a Broomfield backline
whose combined age resembled something of a competitive cricket total. Yet those
who claim that athleticism is the major factor in a game of football should have
watched this spectacle of brains against brawn with their notebooks at the
ready.
The opening of the game proved to be a little scrappy with half chances falling
to either side, Esthameians had a few fluffed shots before Gary Wilson had his
self labelled “first shot in three years” which went just wide of the post.
Slightly against the run of play Broomfield took the lead, the ball was driven
across the area and an Esthameians defender, with Zidane-esque precision, bent
the ball past his stranded keeper. Esthameians were not behind long and a quick
counter attack led to the equalising goal being scored. Minutes later Barney
Jones thought he had re-established the lead with a glorious turn and drive from
20 yards which flew into the roof of the net, to the disbelief of the Broomfield
players play was called back for an earlier foul on Jones. Minutes later
Esthameians were ahead, another quick break resulted in their central midfielder
taking a long range pot-shot which dribbled in at the far post. Cue half time.
After the interval with the hill in their favour, and words of encouragement
from Johnny Jones and Fod in their minds, Broomfield pressed forward. Gary
Wilson and Dave Watts contrived to dominate the centre of the park whilst Jones
and Walker ably held the ball up further up the field. Then came a moment of
pure inspiration, having won a free kick some forty yards out left wingback
David Combe decided to have a dig and his swerving effort bamboozled the keeper
and flew into the net just below the crossbar for a deserved equaliser. This
turn of events did not sit well with Esthameians began bickering amongst
themselves, even so it was they who pushed harder in search of a winning goal.
It was here that the nous of messrs Wooten, Wilson, Bell and Taylor came into
play as they demonstrated exceptional positioning and aerial domination to keep
the opposition at bay. When it looked like the best result for Broomfield would
be a draw substitute Fod made his mark on the game with an exceptional cross
field ball which Jones buried at the far post, just reward for an impressive
performance.
With five minutes remaining Broomfield in effect parked the bus restricting the
opposition to mere half chances which the rock solid Simon Fitzgerald dealt with
with consummate ease. Thus the league campaign kicks off with three points and a
good platform for next week.
Team: (3-5-2) 1. Simon Fitzgerald, 2. Rory 3.David Combe 4. Alex Bell, 5. Norman
Taylor, 6. Lawrie Wooten, 7. Gary Wilson (captain), 8. Dave Watts, 9. Joe , 10.
Rob Walker, 11. Barney Jones subs: Fod, Danny Fitzgerald.
back to top | Back Home
|