After a very enjoyable Pre-season, Matching looked to take their good form into the start of the season. First up, was FEL reserves away.
Matching started with Jimmy in goal, Nathan at Right Back, Palmer and Phil at Center Back, and Mark at Left back. The midfield consisted of Jaime on the Left, Mike and James in the Middle, and Ryan on the Right. This left Ben and Greg up front with Ron & Charlie as subs.
For the first 10 minutes it was all Fel, until Matching got settled and started to play. Greg was first on the score sheet, a Goal kick from Jim was flicked on by Ben, and Greg ran on to slot past the keeper. Ben was next on the score sheet, a great ball in from midfield saw Ben run through and dink the ball over the keeper to make it 2-0.
Fel hit back immediatly, a slip from Phil let the Fel striker run in and smash the ball past Jimmy. With Matching looking confident, I felt it was only a matter of time before the next goal came. Greg, chasing a ball was caught and brought down, so Ben stepped up to hit the penalty. Unfourtunatly for Matching, he hit it over.
The next goal, came courtesy of some fantastic play, James (Who was superb all game), jinxed past three or four players before knocking the ball to Mark, who was unlucky to hit the post, however, the ball was turned back in for Ben to nod in.
Half time came and went and Matching were still pressing forward. Charlie came on for Jaime with ten minutes gone and had a great game. The next goal fell to Fel. With 15 minutes to go the ball was played over the top, Phil misjudeged his touch and the ball found the Fel Center Mid, despite Mark putting in a great challange the ball flicked in off the inside of Jimmys post.
At 3-2 up with 10 to go, Matching didnt panic, instead they increased their lead with a sublime goal. A pass from Mark or Ryan found Mike 25 yards out, he took a touch and curled the ball beautifully into the bottom corner of the net, the keeper not even moving. Overal a good display from Matching. James getting Man of the Match after dominating the midfield and causing the FEL back 4 constant pressure.
The first home game at Fortress Matching welcomed FC Clarke Reserves to the hallowed turf. Matching were looking to continue there good run after beating FEL last week, whilst Clarke were looking to turn things around after a 9-1 loss to Maiden the previous week.
With Palmer, Gotty, and Nath away and Phil injured, Matching started with Jimmy in goal, Mark at Left back, Aaron and Jaime at CB, and Ron going Right back. The midfield consisted of Ryan on the right, Mike and james in the middle with Greg going Left Midfield. This left Ben and Ray up front with Charlie and Martin as Subs
Matching started well but fell behind to either a very good or very jammy goal. The ball broke lose outside the box and the Clarke Center Forward managed to Lob Jimmy. From where I was standing (on the 6 yard line) it ws going over, only for it to suddenly drop under the bar into the net. Matching then pressed the back four, the keeper pulling off some cracking saves and Matching not finishing the chances they had.
However, it was soon to be 1-1, the ball falling to the Matching Vetran Ray, who scored his first to make it 1 goal in 1 game for him. This should have woken Matching up but they then conceeded again, this time a very good finish by the Clarke Left Midfielder saw the ball squirm in at the far post.
Some very harsh words were said at Half Time and it seemed to have the right effect as Matching dominated. I was VERY proud of all the lads as the hard work and commitment was obvious for all to see. Jimmy was excellent in goal, making two or three fantastic saves on the rare chance that Clarke did get through, and Mark, Jaime and Aaron were immense. Special mention must goto Mark as he was Man of The Match. Two of three fantastic tackels in the first half, and the same in the second. Excellent challenges and brilliant distribution. Charlie was then brought on replace Greg, followed by Ben getting on the score sheet, smashing home from the edge of the 6 yard box to make it 2-2 and 3 in two for him.
Matching were really starting to play now. The Back four was immense and James and Mike won everything in the air. Ben hitting the post and heading over, Ray going close a couple, Ryan, James and Mark all going close. With 2 minutes to go, it looked like the Clarke back four were going to withstand the constant battering, but Ryan had other ideas. Ben drove the ball in which the keeper saved, the center back cleared the ball as far as Aaron who drove the ball back in, the defence cleared the ball again and with superb composure Ryan slotted the ball into the bottom corner. Ryan was mobbed and the Matching faithful went crazy. Martin then come on for Ray and Matching saw the game out to claim a very good victory.
Two very conflicting halves from my point of view. The first half was disorganised, greedy and very frustrating, the second half was simply superb. The work rate from EVERYONE was fantastic and the lads really started to play as a team. This makes it two wins in two for Matching and Archers Dart next in the League Cup.
Matching looked to make it 3 wins in 3 with a victory over Archers Dart in the League Cup. With Ryan away, Phil injured and Palmer and Greg AWOL, Matching lined up with Jimmy in goal, Nathan at Right Back, Gotty and Jaime at Center Back, and Mark keeping his place at Left Back. Charlie started Left Midfield, Mike and James in the middle and Aaron on the right, leaving Ben and Ray to start up front again. This left Martin and Ron as subs.
Matching took some time to settle and in all honesty Dart should have taken the lead, it was only the collective abilities of Gotty, Mark and Jimmy that kept the score at 0-0. However, Matching were soon to make Dart rue their chance when Ray challanged the Dart Center Back for the ball and saw the ball come back off Ray's foot and sneak in past the keeper to make it 0-1 Matching. Gotty was next on the Score sheet, after hitting the bar earlier. A Free Kick was awarded to Matching just inside the Dart half, Gotty hit a quality shot over the keeper into the top corner.
Dart however, kept pressing but with the Matching defence and midfield staying strong, they saw the half out to go in at 0-2. The second half started very well for Matching, Ben winning the header released Ray who calmly slotted past the Keeper to make it 3-0, with Ray then setting up Ben to make it 4. An excellent strike from Ben soon after then put the game out of Darts reach to be honest.
Aaron was next on the score sheet, battling through the Dart defence he smashed an excellent shot into the far side of the net to give Matching 6. At this point Matching started to be a bit lax. However, the back four were playing well and Jimmy in particular in fine form. Three one on ones and every time the striker was thwarted by a brialliant save, and then pulling off a magnificent stop. The Striker stuck the ball perfectly and was flying in, with the Dart team celebrating their goal, allbeit prematurely, Jim got down to his left and tipped the ball away. A fantastic save for the Matching Number 13.
Ben was then to get Matching 7th and his 3rd, the ball came in from a corner and Ben rose above everyone else to nod it. Despite everyone playing well, Man of the Match goes to Mark once again. A very composed performance at Left Back and a brilliant game at Center Back when Jaime came off with 25 mins to go, with Martin dropping into Left back.
Overal another good display from the boys. Matching are looking confident, composed and organised. With 3 wins in 3 Matching are certainly making other teams take notice.
In three words, Very Very Annoyed!!!
Simply not good enough and hopefully, a MASSIVE kick up the arse for everyone. Matching started with Jimmy in goal, Nath at Right back, Gotty and Jaime at Center Back, and Mark at Left Back. This put new signing Jimmy Gliddon at Right mid, Aaron and Mike in Center Mid, and James at Left Mid. This left Ray and Ben up front with Ron, Phil and Welshy as subs.
Matching started slowly as usual before being very nice and giving Brookside a 2-0 head start. Matching then started to play and reaped the rewards. Ray with a great run into the box was brought down, Mike stepped up to hit the penalty home. Next up was Ben, with a very good finish. Ben was the ti turn provider, flicking a header on for Ray who smashed home. Next up was Mr Grainger, who after winning the ball in his own half ran the whole of the oppositions half before slotting a perfect shot into the bottom corner.
Brookside then nicked a goal just before half time, despite the Linesman having the flag up. Half time came and it was 3-4 Matching.
Not sure what happened to Matching but just after Half time, Brookside snatched a goal and everything fell to pieces. Brookside were soon to go 6-4 up and despite plenty of pressure, their defence were withstanding the barrage of attacks. Aaron hot the post, Ben, Ray and Mike all forcing the Kepper into good saves. Phil then came on for Jaime at Center Back to shore the defence, only for the Striker to sneak another. Matching then pulled one back to make it 7-5 before the Brookside midfielder hit a very good strike from way out to make it 8-5.
Overall, very disappointing. Played very well in the first half and Brookside couldnt contain us. Sloppy marking, poor communication and general laziness cost us the game.
From one extreme to the other. Funny old game Football.
Matching had 7, yes 7 players missing today. Mike, Ryan, Mark, James, Jaime, Charlie and Ryan, all ill or working. This left Matching with the following lineup. Jimmy in goal, Nathan RB, Palmer and Gotty CB, with Ron LB. Phil on the Left, Jimmy G and Aaron in the middle and Reece on the Right, this left Ray and Ben up front and Welshy as Sub.
After last weeks defeat to Brookside Res, Matching were determined to turn things around. It didnt start well with Matching going 1-0 down to a good finish from the Maiden forward, however Matching were soon to pull one back through Ben to make it 1-1. A Free Kick was then awarded to Maiden who smashed the ball home to make it 2-1, this was soon followed by a sloppy third. Matching then pulled another goal back through Ray to go in at the half 3-2 down.
After a indepth team talk at half time Matching were well up for it and started very well, with Gotty smashing in a goal from .5 of a yard out to make it 3-3, very much to Ben's dismay. Matching were then to go 4-3 up after Aaron hit an absolute stunner. The ball coming to Aaron about 30 yards out, he controlled it on his chest turned and smashed a perfect shot into the Top corner, giving the keeper no chance.
However, a lapse in defence then saw the Maiden striker stroll through and make it 4-4. But after last week, Matching were not to be denied, a cross from Ben was fumbled by the keeper and managed to sneak in, a perfectly placed shot then game him his 3rd and Matching their 6th, but Ben still wasnt finished and had a delicate header flicked over the center back with the keeper in no mans land. Welshy then came on for Phil with 10 to go to see the game out for Matching.
Overall a massive improvement from last week. Excellent goals a great performance from everyone. Special mention muct go to Palmer, Jimmy A, Ben and Reece who were all superb, however, it was Reece that nicked the Man of the Match award after excellent runs, passing and a brilliant debut in general.
Only 5 away this week, not too bad. Ben, Ryan, Jaime, Mark and Palmer all working, Hung Over (Palmer) all unable to be presnt. This meant Matching started with Jimmy in Goal, Nath at LB, Gotty and Beany in the middle and Phil at LB. Reece went Left Midfield, Mike and Jimmy G in the middle and James Grainer on the right. Aaron and Ray up front with Charlie, Welshy, Ron and Pat (from the first team) as subs.
Matching started VERY poorly and Harbets took full advantage. A long ball over the top found the Harbets striker who ran through and smashed in off the bar and post.
This kick started Matching into life and they started to play, soon making it 1-1. Ray taking the ball wide near the goal line, beat the defender and curled a great shot into the far corner of the net. Matching were then to go 2-1 up before half time, a great through ball from Mike found Ray who took the ball wide, then cut the ball back across goal for Aaron to slot home. At 2-1, it was all Harbets, but Matching stood firm, Jimmy not really having lots to do in goal except for come the through balls and catch the Punts that were coming in from the Harbets midfield.
Half time came and went and after a very productive team talk, Matching were the first out. The game started well with Matching playing on the break. Harbets had to go for it and Matching really exploited this. The third Matching goal was excellent. Mike taking a pass looked up and saw James making a great run from in his own half, a superb pass from Mike found James, who sprinted through and duly dispatched the ball pas the onrushing keeper.
Ray was up next, the ball played in from Mike saw Ray sprint past the lunger of the center back, dummy the keeper and then roll the ball into the empty net. However, he wasnt finished and after a scramble in the Harbets area, saw Ray poke the ball through the keepers legs to get his Hat Trick and Matchings 5th.
With 10 to go, Welshy, Charlie and Pat all came on with Reece, Nathan and Ray all going off. Not the best performance from Matching but it goes to show the strength in depth of the team. 4 very good goals, and a very good result which puts Matching top. Three or four players in line for MOTM but this week, it goes to Ray for his three goals and excellent work rate.
A very Wet and windy Sunday morning saw Matching take on FC Clarke in the Champions League. After a loss to Brookside in their first Champions League game, Matching had to win.
Matching lined up with Jimmy in goal, Nath at Rb, Palmer and Gotty at CB, and Mark at LB. Reece went LM, Jimmy G and Mike at CM and Phil at RM. This left Welshy and Ray up front with Ben, Aaron and Ron as subs.
Clarke started well and seemed to dominate the first 20 minutes, though to be honest Jimmy wasnt called into action once. Matching took the lead through Palmer of all people. A cross came in which Ray got his head to, Palmer arrived at the back post just in time to slide in and poke the ball home.
Matching were not playing well but were creating chances, the closest one being Reece smashing an excellent shot against the bar which Ray was unlucky to not turn in with his head.
Matching started the second half well but were undone by a lucky goal. The midfielder hit a cross which Jimmy have covered, only for it to somehow sneak in at the near post. Mike and Mark then went off, with Ben going up front and Welshy going Left Mid, Phil going Left Back and Aaron going straight into Midfield with Jimmy. Ben was next to score, guiding a great header into the far corner of the net from an Aaron cross, followed by his second which saw him place an excellent shot into the bottom corner from outside the area. Reece was up next, slotting home a great past from Aaron.
Not the best Matching performance, but the lads done well. Got the job done, and set the bar or next week which is....FC Clarke Reserves away in the League. This weeks MOM is Darren Palmer, superb defending, excellent distribution, and a goal too boot.
Sorry for the delay in updating but I'm still pissed off with the result. FC Clarke Res welcomed Matching for their third and final game. Matching had won the first league game 3-2, then won the Champions League game 4-1. It was now the away leg of the league game. Matching lined up with Jimmy in goal, Nath at RB, Gotty and Palmer at CB and Mark at LB. Reece went LM, with Jimmy and Mike in the center and Phil taking up the RM role. This left Ben and Ray up front with Ron, Beany and Welshy as subs.
The game started well for Matching (for a change) and the Clarke keeper was forced to make some excellent saves. Ray, Reece, Ben, Jimmy G, Phil and Mike all going close. However, it was Jimmy G that was to break the deadlock. Picking up the ball from outside the CLarke box, Jimmy looked up and hit a great shot, it then hit the Clarke center back which saw the ball defelct and left the Clarke keeper wrong footed. Ben was next up, a great strike from Ray saw the Clarke keeper get down well and push the ball onto the post, unluckily for him Ben was on hand to smash the rebound in. To be honest, it was all Matching, despite Clarke hitting the bar from a corner.
The second half was a shambles. Matching showed no respect to the oppostion. We assumed that we were gonna start the second half and put four or five past Clarke. Clarke fully deserved a draw on the basis of the second half performace, however Matching did have chances to win the game and in all honesty, the game should have been over by half time. Man of the Match this week goes to Reece who was superb all game and put maximum effort in for the whole 90 mins.
With Gotty, Palmer, James, Ray, Jaime, and Charlie all away Matching lined up with Jimmy in goal, Nath at RB, Beany (Ryan S) and Nick (First Team) at CB and Mark at LB. The midfield consisted of Reece on the Left, Mike and Jimmy in the Middle and Phil Right. Aaron and Ben started up front with Ron and Welshy as subs.
It was a full house at Fortress Matching. New First Team Manager Dave Ward present, as well as Season ticket holder Francis Pring, joined by the usual Matching faithful. Fel also brought along a legion of fans as their first team game was called off.
As usual Matching started off slowly and FEL hitting the Matching bar within seconds of starting. Matching were soon to settle and went close through Ben, with the keeper making a great save with his feet.
With Matching pressing, it was only a matter of time before they scored, and it was Ben that got the opener, a well placed shot from outside the area into the far corner. FEL pressed constantly, but the back four and Jimmy made sure they didnt get through. When they did put the ball in the net, the ref called the ball back for Offside. Ben then to hit another just before half time but for the life of me I cant remeber it
Matching went into the break 2-0 to the good and with the warning of complacency that cost us two points last week, started well. FEL made two subs, bringing two first team players on, and this showed with the midfield seeming stronger. Despite the FEL pressure it was Matching that scored, a great pass from Ben found Reece who slotted home a rebound after the keeper made a great save from the first shot.
Mike was up next with a Penalty, Ben racing through was caught by the Keeper, and Mike duly dispatced the spot kick to make it 4-0. From there things went a bit mad and something that I have never seen before.
At 4-0 to Matching, FEL had 4 Players dismissed. The Center back was to go with a straight red, followed by the keeper with a second booking (Red Card), followed by the back up keepers second booking (Red Card), finally the midfielder with two bookings (Red Card)
To be honest, from this point I losy track of the goals. Ben scored another to get his hat trick, Aaron scored two, Mike dispatched another excellent penalty, followed by the moment of magic, a run to the nyline from Reece saw him cut the ball back to Welshy, who duly placed the ball wide of the goal from 4 yards out. He was however, about to make amends, when a great ball from Ben saw Welshy slide in and dink the ball over the keeper. His celebration contained the words "Get in you Dirty Horse" a reference to the bird he pulled on Friday night.
For me a good performace. You can only beat whats in front of you and Matching done it in style. Cruising at 2-0 yet didnt stop pushing forward. FEL had THREE first team players come on at half time, and yet Matching still looked in control. MOM could have gone to any of Mike, Jimmy A, Reece, or Ben but after an excellent defensive performance and superb blocks and tackles, it goes to Nick Doree.
Matching had 7 players away this week. The line up was Jimmy in Goal, Ron, Nath and Phil, with Aaron, Welshy, Jimmy and Reece in Midfield. This left Ben and Ray up front. For the record, Matching started with 10 till Beanie turned up to play Center Back.
Things started OK and Matching were playing OK. The first Rouge goal was bloody lucky, Jimmy saving at the Strikers feet only to see the ball cannon back off the striker and roll in. The second was a very suspicious penalty when the ball bounced up and hit my hand. The second half didnt start well, JImmy turning a shot onto the post saw the Rouge striker put the rebound into an empty net.
Matching have a great resiliance in this team and love a come back. Aaron smashing home a free kick from outside the box, and Ray sliding in to convert a cross from Ben. Aaron could and should have had a penalty and Nath went close with the last kick of the game. Sadly it wasnt to be and Matching are out of the League Cup.
Though disapointed with the first half, I felt we showed grit, determination and hard work and were unlucky not to take the game to extra time. I feel that with a bit more luck we could have taken something from this game. MOTM this week goes to Nath who had a great game, though Reece, Aaron and Phil all in contention.
|
