Match Report - 10th June 2007

Headstone had strong opponents for their first friendly of the summer. Ruislip had just been promoted having finished as runners up in Division 4. Having just returned from their tour to Spain, Headstone used the friendly to play the players who hadn’t toured and to try out some new blood. They gave debuts to four players – striker Sahir ‘Sid’ Masters, keeper Stephen Howden, and midfield players Jay Shah and Oliver Thomas.

Ruislip showed why they have been at the top of the table for the whole season. They combined well, had a lot of the possession, pushed Headstone back more than they wanted and threatened throughout the game. But they didn’t create enough clear cut chances as they might have hoped for and paid for it. Two clinical strikes by Sid won the match and though Ruislip got one back they were fortunate when a shot by Jordan Coleman was debatably ruled out for offside.

It was Headstone’s second win over Ruislip this season and showed a lot of resilience in defence and in midfield. Joe Jordan and Russell Butlin have built a good defensive partnership, cover well for each other, read the game well and time their tackles superbly. It is rare to see either having to slide tackle to dispossess an opponent. Alongside them the two fullbacks Tom Wrigley and Ciaran McDougall also had very good games. Ciaran has been outstanding recently and he carried this on today with two great clearances off the line. Both are quick and are particularly good going forward and linking with the midfield. Behind them Stephen had an impressive debut in goal. His handling and speed off his line frustrated Ruislip. In the first half he produced a spectacular catch from a high corner.

The Headstone midfield was without Thomas Green for the first time this season. In his place Jay Shah played the holding role and as the game went on he became more and more comfortable winning a lot of possession as did Kyle Giles Brown who has proved to be a tremendous ball winner. Jordan Coleman had one of his best games of the season showing some neat touches, excellent link up play and good defensive work.

Up front Fed Jaramillo never stopped running and on such a hot day he showed great stamina. He worked very hard, chased every ball and was unfortunate to get no reward on the score sheet.

Headstone were pressed back early on but then got the perfect start with a goal after just five minutes. Jordan played a short corner to Ciaran who passed straight back to Jordan. Ruislip didn’t react quickly enough and then pushed out leaving several Headstone players unmarked. Jordan picked out Sid who had time to pick his spot in the corner. Both teams won several corners during this half and the defences were tested but reacted well. Ruislip had the bulk of the possession and Headstone, when winning the ball, played too many balls down the middle. Though Fed and Sid worked hard they were outnumbered and found it difficult to hold the ball up.

Ruislip came closest with a fine cross shot that beat Stephen and looked goal bound until Ciaran arrived late to steer it clear. Russell, Fed and Sid had chances but none were close enough to threaten Ruislip’s keeper who marshalled his area well. From one Ruislip corner Jay rushed into clear, beat his opponent and sent the ball flying just inches over the bar. He was fortunate it was off target as there would have been no stopping it.

Near the end of the half Headstone had to reorganise their defence as Russell had to come off having hurt his foot and head in two collisions. Oliver Thomas came on for his debut, Jay switched to centre back and Oliver played left midfield. Oliver showed a lot of commitment and strength. He was fearless diving into tackles and challenges and made powerful clearances.

At the start of the second half Russell returned and Jordan came off. Luis Meneses Zerpa replaced Francis Nkhoma in midfield. Ruislip started very strongly and the pattern of the game continued. But though they pushed Headstone back, Tom and Jay got stronger and more comfortable on the ball and Ruislip found it hard to create clear opportunities. Most of the shots and headers they had were wide of the mark and Stephen was comfortable with the ones on target.

With rolling subs Headstone were able to switch their players around and midway through the half Jordan returned in place of Kyle who had had a really good game in midfield. On 51 minutes Headstone dealt Ruislip a real blow with a second goal. Fed chased a through ball and under pressure slipped the ball through to Sid who used his strength to hold off a challenge and then shoot into the corner. Headstone found that they had more of the play as time went on and the heat tired the players.

But it was Ruislip who came back into the game with a goal 12 minutes from time. It was the simplest of goals headed straight in from a corner on the left. Headstone had visions of letting a good lead go and Ruislip nearly equalised with a great shot from wide on the left that Stephen got his fingertips to but couldn’t keep out. Ciaran arrived again in time to nick it off the line. Two vital saves from him.

At the other end Headstone had a good break down the left and Jordan Coleman showed good skill to work the ball into the box and chip the ball high into the corner of the net. Luis, in support, had raced into the box and flew at the ball to try and head it over the line. He missed it but the referee thought he had touched it and disallowed the goal for offside. It was a reprieve for Ruislip but they couldn’t take advantage and Headstone were delighted to have won the game 2-1.

This was a really good win for the boys, they appeared to be hard to beat and against a team as accomplished as Ruislip that is a good sign. Picking man of the match was not easy as all the players performed well and there wasn’t one who stood out over the rest. But Sid’s goals were well taken and made the difference and to score two in his first game merited him the award.