Match Report - 27th April 2008

The Bs played Hillingdon at the start of the season and had a comprehensive victory. It shows the effort the players and coaches of Hillingdon have put in that the team that played today was vastly improved. They were unrecognisable, produced a controlled performance and really tested the Bs. At half time there was nothing between the teams and it looked as though the match would end goalless. However, the Bs stepped up after the break and goals from Thomas and Luis won the points for the Bs.

Bizarrely, for a match played between two groups of very sporting, well behaved and fair minded players, there were three bookings. In the six years the Bs have played in the league, there has been just one booking in a game we have played in. That was for an opposing player. To have three bookings in one game baffled and irritated those on the sidelines and frustrated the players. It also left ill feeling at the end of the game though, fortunately, not between the two sets of players and coaches. The bookings were unnecessary and, together with a disallowed goal which confused everyone, spoilt what was a very good game.

The Bs went into the game with Luis playing up front for the second game running after hitting two goals in the last match. Conor played on the right side of midfield for the first time this season and he slotted in well. The first period was a very tight affair. Hillingdon had quite a few players who dwarfed even our tallest players. That gave them the advantage in some of the aerial duels but they also played neat football on the ground. The Bs back four was very impressive. Hillingdon had a couple of half chances but mostly Daniel, Russ, Joe and Josh were on hand to tidy up when they broke through. Francis was man of the match in his last game and picked where he left off with another good display. But Luis and Sid found it hard to get the better of the visitor’s defence.

Luis had a couple of shots. However far away he is from goal, Luis always seems to have the ability to work a shooting chance and that has enabled him to soar to second in the Bs top scorer list. It was Daniel though who came closest to opening the scoring from yet another superb corner from George. He floated the corner onto the back post and Daniel volleyed it with the inside of his foot back across the goal where it just missed the post. Had it been on target no-one would have stopped it. Later the Bs had a good opportunity with a swift break where they outnumbered Hillingdon’s defenders but they didn’t take advantage.

It was during the first half that Hillingdon had the first of the bookings. It wasn’t clear whether it was for a challenge or something the player said. Either way it stunned players, coaches and spectators. The players realised that they had to be extra careful as everything was being played to the absolute letter of the law. Unfortunately there was no leeway given for common sense.

After the break the Bs improved and showed some good moves, neat touches and they combined well. One great example saw Luis take a high ball out of the air on the side of his foot laying it perfectly into the path of Conor who then flighted the ball over the defence for Sid to chase. Thomas stepped up a gear this half and was outstanding. On 45 minutes he deservedly got the opening goal of the game but it looked as though the chance had gone. He set up the move with a run and cross from the left. Luis came in on the far post and looked to have a simple chance to finish. But his shot went back across the face of the goal. Fortunately Thomas was following up and he crashed it into the net.

The Bs then brought on Ciaran on the left in place of George. Five minutes later the Bs had a huge reprieve. Hillingdon attacked down the left and with great pace their winger left Daniel and Joe chasing shadows. He produced a superb cross and suddenly Hillingdon had two players on the back of the penalty area, neither closely marked. One of them rose and brilliantly headed it across the goal into the corner leaving Stephen helpless. It was a text book finish. As Hillingdon celebrated they were stunned to see that the goal was disallowed. The linesman hadn’t flagged and confirmed it was not offside so, again, everyone was left baffled and the Bs mightily relieved. At the other end though, the Bs had two of their own goals disallowed. One scored by Thomas ruled out for offside and the other by Luis for a push. Meantime Jay replaced Francis in the centre of midfield.

On 55 minutes Luis gave the Bs a bit of comfort with a very well taken goal. He chased a ball played down the right side of the goal and as the keeper came out slid it home taking a knock in the process. The Bs then made another change, Sid came off, Thomas went up front and Kyle played centre midfield. Both Thomas and Luis looked quite sharp up front. At the back fullbacks Daniel and Josh were having excellent matches. Daniel looked very confident and dealt well with everything coming down the Hillingdon left flank. Josh showed good timing with his challenges and got the crowd on their toes with a superb and unexpected run up field. He dispossessed a Hillingdon striker and followed up as another player tried to win the ball. Instead of playing it forward Josh took it on himself dribbling the ball up the left wing seeing off a couple of challenges along the way.

As manager of the Bs I have been proud of the players’ behaviour on the pitch and that we have never had any bookings or disciplinary problems. We have never had any of our players even warned by a referee. What a shame for that record to go for a completely innocuous incident. Jay was booked in the 67th minute and it was absolutely undeserved and unnecessary. The ball was in the Hillingdon half and he and his opponent challenged for the ball. Hillingdon’s player just won it and Jay, as he went for the ball, caught his opponent’s legs and he went down. Free kick – fair enough, but the booking was ridiculous. Jay is a completely fair player who has had an outstanding first season and made a huge impact on the team. For him to be booked is just staggering but unfortunately certain decisions had turned aspects of the match into a farce. It wasn’t the last either as another Hillingdon player was booked and their manager was spoken to on the sidelines.

Late in the game Russ had to come off after the ball caught him in the face and his nose was bleeding. Thomas, ever dependable and versatile, switched from striker to centre back. Francis came back on and later Sid returned in place of George who had previously come back on for Conor. In the last minute Hillingdon got a goal back. A very well finished shot from an attack down the right. It meant for a close finish but the Bs saw out the last moments to continue their good run in the league campaign.

There were many good performances in particular from Daniel, Russ, Joe, Josh, Francis and Luis. Thomas though took the man of the match award for a very assured and positive display and good to see him get himself on the score sheet.