Not much to report this week as we only had two games scheduled, a problem caused by our lack of success in the cups that we were allowed to enter.
The Reserves fighting a relegation battle nearly had a good win against Old Garchonians, but having been 3-1 up the match ended in a 3-3 draw. A word in praise of this team and their skipper Eoin, they have had a very tough season in a high standard league and have had to build a completely new team. They have dropped many points when their general play has deserved better but seem to have an excellent team spirit and play the game in the right way. The 3rd XI had a good 3-2 win against Old Owens. We staged a very successful AFA Junior Cup Final on Saturday where I am sure our organisation was well respected by both teams and the AFA representative thanks to Barry and Mike Pearl for their efforts. We send our best wishes to Chunky who had an operation on Saturday, spoke to him today and he is coming out of hospital on Monday.
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Afraid absent again this week watching the egg chasers not much of a game is it.
News reaches me of a very important win for the 1st team 4-2 against close challengers HSBC that means promotion is back in our own hands again. Our match away to SouthBank Cuaco in a few weeks looks like being a decider. The reserves lost to fellow relegation rivals Alleyn OB 4-2, we badly need a couple of wins so maximum availability for the next few games is vital. The 3s/4s/7s had no games the 5's beat AP 4-1 but the relegated 6's lost to Old Lyonians 4's 4-0. Onwards and upwards we hope. This week we are honoured to be staging the 3rd team AFA CUP FINAL between The Hill and Old Parminterians. A tribute to the work of our two groundsmen Brent and David under the management of Sue O'Brien and Barry Ayers. Although our President is back in the country, he had a prior engagement with his Four Legged friend at Ascot on Saturday. A great run but out of the placings I am led to believe.
On to important matters and I am pleased to report a great victory for our 1st XI against Old Blues who had beaten us when bottom of the table, but having moved up the league were not strong enough on Saturday and Norsemen run out 5-0 victors. This puts us firmly back in with a chance of winning the league and this coming Saturday will be a massive game against HSBC at Norsemen, 2.30 KO. The Reserves has no fixture. The 3rd XI played a Double Header against Alleyn Old Boys, one of their rival contenders for promotion. I have to say it is a bit early for a DH, but due the this Division having 2 or 3 teams drop out the SAL in their wisdom have made each team play each other 3 times. The first game ended even with both sides having chances, but 0-0 was the outcome. The second game again was very close with Alleyns taking a first half lead, but Norsemen struck back with a fine free kick from Danny Green. However, in pushing forward for the all important winner, the space at the back and the pace of Alleyns forwards left us open and Alleyns took a 3 goal lead. Despite pulling one back, Alleyns run out 4-2 winners of the second game. The 4th XI had their fixture at AP cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch. We did offer AP the chance to play the fixture at Norsemen but disappointingly this was declined. The 5th XI playing again on the top pitch at Norsemen found the conditions too heavy for them and ran out to a heavy 7-2 defeat. The scoreline does not truly reflect the game, but that's football. The 6th XI had no game and their season is due to end with this Saturday's fixture. The 7th XI played at Old Lyonians and were held to a 3-3 draw. WALK TALL YOU BLUE GIANTS!!! With our President still away I have to apologise for the lack of Patter last week.
However, this week we had 4 fixtures with our 1st XI at Home to bottom of the table AFC Oldsmiths. Sadly all did not go to plan as has been the case in our 2 earlier defeats to bottom of the table opposition. I have to say that how AFC Oldsmiths are bottom of the table is beyond me. Despite going one down early on, Norsemen rallied and equalised with a fine strike from Chris Morgan. Scores even at the break Norsemen looked to be getting on top and took the lead through Charlie Lever. This brought Oldsmiths to life again and with some fine football they got themselves back on level terms. Following a defensive catastrophe, Oldsmiths took the lead with 2 minutes remaining. Norsemen's never say die attitude took over and with our Goalkeeper causing havoc in the opposing penalty area from a scramble Dan Robery managed to head home the equaliser in injury time. 3-3. The Reserves had a tough fixture away to Old Parks, but again a great effort enabled them to come away with a point. 3-3 The 3s sadly had their fixture postponed. The 4th XI had yet another emphatic Home victory 11-1 against Old Lyonians 3rd XI. Shane Killick, Craig Blyth & Billy Locke all claimed Hat Tricks in this rout. The 5th XI & 7th XI played an Inter Club friendly which proved to be a good run out for both sides with the 5th XI running out 4-3 victors. Finally ending on a sad note, we have our first casualty of the season with our 6th XI losing heavily 7-1 to Old Lyonians 4th XI which assures a relegation spot. Sadly for the first time this season we have been beaten by the weather, having to cancel all our Home games this weekend.
However, the 5th XI managed to play their fixture against Winchmore Hill at Firs Farm and ran out 5-2 winners to keep up their challenge for the League Title. This week the 5th XI are our only AFA Cup survivors and take on Old Manorians at Home in the Quarter Finals of the AFA Senior Novets Cup. We wish them well. WALK TALL YOU BLUE GIANTS!!!! |