Match Report - 29th October 2006

At the end it was just 3 points, but there are wins and there are wins. The difference is the occasion and the opposition. Today, it was the ability and record of the opposition, Ruislip Town, that made this win so significant for Headstone. Ruislip are an accomplished team who have ability in abundance, who work well together and have an outstanding goalkeeper. If there is a better keeper in this division his team are fortunate.

Ruislip came into this game with 4 wins from 4 games, having scored 22 goals and after beating Headstone 3-7 earlier this month. Today’s result was no fluke. Headstone matched Ruislip all over the pitch and the fact that the Ruislip keeper shone came about because he was by far the busier. Daniel Lynch, in goal for Headstone, had far less to deal with but was assured throughout and he communicated continuously to his team mates keeping them informed and on their toes. He also made two outstanding catches from high balls played from deep and even when under pressure caught them cleanly.

Headstone had an unexpectedly good start, a goal by Conor McBreen after just 13 seconds. What makes this even more impressive is that this is the second time Conor has done this in 4 games this season. The goal came from a swift attack from the kick off. Luis Meneses Zerpa and Federico Jaramillo split the defence with a simple through ball and Conor was away. He kept his head and tucked it neatly into the corner.

However good the start, Headstone knew that Ruislip could be lethal going forward and move well off the ball. In the opening two minutes they tested Daniel with a fine shot after they broke through the Headstone defence, Daniel saved well. Seconds later the Headstone midfield switched off and were caught out by a quick through ball that split the defence and left them one on one with Daniel to score.

The midfield learnt their lesson fast and for the rest of the game kept their concentration. Thomas Green had the job of protecting the defence and was superb. He won numerous 50-50 balls and tackled well. Luis also had a very disciplined game winning and using the ball well. Headstone’s defence worked very well together. Even when under pressure there was always an extra player on hand to clear the danger.

Headstone’s main danger man was George Moriarty who buzzed around the midfield creating chances for his team mates. Several times he threaded superb defence splitting passes into the path of his team mates. He also combined very well with Ciaran McDougall, who got forward to good effect, and Conor who had four more excellent chances to restore the lead. George nearly restored the lead with a great drag back and shot that went inches wide.

In the 23rd minute Federico Jaramillo put Headstone back in front with a well taken finish. He was sent through with a neat diagonal pass and he kept his composure to shoot home with the keeper advancing off his line. The keeper’s speed off his line thwarted many attacks. Fed beat him to the ball on one occasion but was forced too far wide to score and Luis was almost brought down as the keeper denied him. George and Conor had further excellent chances but the keeper saved confidently.

2-1 at half time and Headstone knew they could be under the cosh after the break. But the pattern of the game continued with Headstone defending resolutely to keep the danger away from Daniel. At the other end Ruislip’s defence held a high line and were caught several times by through balls. There were also some good crosses from Ciaran and George from the left.

Midway through the half Brett Swinton-Bland replaced Kyle Giles-Brown up front and he had a chance to score almost immediately but his shot was well saved. On 50 minutes Brett clinched the points with a cool finish. Ciaran sent him through with a well placed pass and Brett controlled the ball well and then shot past the keeper.

Francis Nkhoma then came on for Fed and this allowed Luis more freedom to get forward. In the last ten minutes he had three shots from the edge of the box but just couldn’t get them on target. Conor and George also went close in the final moments. On another day Conor might easily have had a hatrick.

It was a relief when the whistle went as Headstone knew they could not afford to relax against Ruislip. The players can take a lot of pride in the result and in how they performed together. It would be unfair to single out one player to be man of the match so the whole team took it together. And next week they have to do it all again against Acton, who also have a 100% record.