​OLD FINCHLEIANS 1 - 1 NORSEMEN
 
We looked to continue our unbeaten run against Old Finchleians, who needed a victory to maintain their promotion challenge. We traveled to Rowley Lane sports ground, the home of Maccabi London Lions instead of their usual home ground. The facilities were great and the playing surface top draw, meaning no excuses for us to be playing our football.
We started the game very well, with the first half very much one way traffic. Some excellent football was being played, probably the best we have played in several weeks, leaving Old Finchleians chasing shadows for the first 45. Unfortunately a hat full of chances were missed leaving the opposition hope of a snatch and grab.
The second half started the same as the first, dominated the ball, striking the woodwork twice. Then the nightmare we was hoping not to happen, our midfield took too much time on the ball for most likely the first time in the match as we was punished. A quick press see the nick the ball and sent their player through one vs one to score. Almost instantly we equalized! A Matt Roles corner caused chaos in the box leaving James Bex to toe poke the ball home.
The rest of the game see us with numerous chances again with Matt Roles beating several players before firing at the keeper and George Barton striking a free kick on to the bar from the half way line! The points are shared but on another day could of easily been 5 or 6.
 
Man of the match this week goes to George Barton who was fantastic in the middle of the park. Great technical ability as well as his understanding of game management has seen him stake a claim to play in the middle. George has been a very consistent performer all season and is a very important part of the team. A long overdue man of the match award for him! Well done!
Two games to go now to remain unbeaten! The first of two being this Saturday, travelling to already relegated IBIS. We still need maximum availability to complete this great achievement.
 
Gary Harrowell, First XI Manager

​Another draw, this time against already relegated side HSBC. Its fair to say now the boys are not chasing a 100% league record they are very much now going through the motions. Although some boys are still keen to maintain an 'invincible' season by not getting beaten, some of the lads are definitely already on the beach. 
We took the lead from Max Harrowell from another assist from Matt Roles, but after that the chances come few and far between. We never looked in any danger of conceding, but the the opposition picked up the ball from 30 yards and smashed it into the top corner with about 5 minutes to go. Always the danger when you don't kill off the game. The second time in two weeks we have been unlucky with a player probably hitting their best strike in their careers.
Man of the match this week was easy. Charlie King, the standout performer over the last couple of weeks showing why he has quickly changed from a squad player to one of the first names on the team sheet. Direct running at defenders, pace in behind and the work ethic we want all our players to follow. Well done Charlie.
 
Gary Harrowell, First XI Manager

After a wet week and the strong chance that the away game against Alexander Park would be called off , a few calls were made to rearrange the fixture to our place. This was successful, the weather was good and everything looked positive. We had a new player in the squad, Welcome Gidion Nsiah who plays wide along with a couple of players back from injury which is needed for the run in.​

The game began with both teams competing evenly which after our current dip in form looked promising, however that was soon to change. Alexander Park scored 2 goals, both of which could have been avoided with better decision making, thus putting us back in the mire. After 35 minutes embracing the roll on/roll off philosophy a change was made. Off came Alfie who was struggling with all sorts of injury problems and on comes our debut man Gidion. The substitution was inspired and we scored immediately with a scrambled headed goal from James Bex from a, well executed, Chris Morgan corner. Hopefully this will kick start James Bex on another run of goals from set pieces and concentrate him on football instead of berating the referee. Then just like that we scored a second. Another assist from Matt Roles and another goal from Gavin Suddell which takes his tally to 16. This is three behind Danny Green who has only played half a season, so Gavin you better get a run going in the last few games. Scoring just before half time is always a lift and something we needed to do to change our form around, like how we started the season!

The second half started better and it wasn’t long before we scored the decisive goal. The winner came from Gideon who was running clear of any defender, smashing the ball first time across goal into the corner after a lovely pass from Chris Morgan. The rest of the game was competitive but uneventful and another win to make it 13 out of 13 in the league. Once we scored our first goal we looked like we were back on track and the opposition heads went down a bit. We have 5 more hard games left to maintain a 100% record which would be an achievement to remember so lets keep the commitment up until the very end!

My man of the match goes to Chris Morgan who had two assists and showed his usual composure when others are rushing the game a little. When Chris plays with his head up & brings others into the game there is no better sight on the football pitch.

Garry Harrowell, First XI Manager

Polytechnic 1 - 0 Norsemen, AFA Middlesex Semi-Final
 
The Semi final of any cup is a huge game! The boys were buzzing about playing this fixture all week, however things didn't plan out how we wished.
We arrived to the game in the worst possible condition we had all season, against possibly the strongest side we will play. Three players were out injured and also as many as four players were playing still ill from a sickness bug throughout the week.
We battled hard throughout with Charlie King putting a left footed volley just over the bar was the closest we come in the first half. We conceded a sloppy goal on the 3rd minute of stoppage time in the second half which left us chasing the game.
Chances in the second half come few and far between in a very scrappy game and fought until the very end, even sending our keeper up for some potential last minute drama. On this occasion it wasn't meant to be.
A learning curve for the boys that we do not have to be worried about any team we play and as long as we arrive in our best possible condition against these good sides, we will be more than able to compete and also get the win.
 
Garry Harrowell, First XI Manager
 

An even bigger test playing Old Hamptonians, who have won the AFC premier league for the past few years. No excuses as we had a solid team, good pitch and fair weather.
We had young Louie Remy starting his first game at right midfield in the first team and 17 year old Jardell Stirling on the bench ready for this large test.
The first half was dominated by the opposition from start to finish and we realised the difference between this opposition and the other games we have played this season.
The best we can take from this half was that we held it together and went in at half time drawing one all. We managed to score first against the run of play when Matt Roles chipped the goalkeeper from a deflection outside the box. The opposition equalised before half time and it was nothing more than they deserved.
 
Once again we needed to regroup and try to change things at half time, because we couldn’t carry on like the first half. And once again it seemed to work.
We came out in the second half a different team and everything seemed to improve. We scored two fairly quick goals, one a Geoff Hurst special coming down off the cross bar from Chaz which he guided in from a close range squared cross delivered by Gavin Sudell, and the second from the pass of the match back heeled by Chaz into Chris Morgans path where he slipped it past the keeper.  
The score stayed at 3-1 for some time and the game started to get very tense with a few bookings from both sides as Old Hamptonians started piling on the pressure and showing they had no intention of giving up.
We battled hard and showed we could match teams at this level but the down side was too much arguing with the referee and the opposition. This definitely put us under more pressure. After too many free kicks given away just outside the box. It was only a matter of time before we shot ourselves in the foot once again.
Too much arguing before the free kick left us unorganised and the opposition took the free kick against a messy wall and in it went.
This made the game even more frenetic with the opposition smelling blood and came at us for the equaliser. Old Hamptonians have not been at the top of their tree for many years for good reason and it was with 5 minutes left that they got there equaliser.
All credit to our players that our heads did not go down, which was a massive plus to our “never say die” attitude.
With almost the last attack of the match we got a free kick which Chris Morgan took. He whipped in the cross, to be met by Chaz who looped it into the far post and scored the winning goal.
It was a great feeling because the opposition were the best we have played and we didn’t fancy another 30 minutes, especially after the last 2 Saturdays that went to extra time.
A statistic to reflect on is that Old Hamptonians have only conceded 5 goals in their league all season and we scored 4 on Saturday.
You can win games all different ways. This one was against the general run of play but shows if you stick in their anything can happen. It gave us the chance to have good spells and take advantage of them, which then leads to the self-belief that gives us the spirit to be a good and confident team.
​This we will need as we are now drawn away to Polytechnic, probably the best amateur team in London which will show us exactly where we are at the moment! We will be doing it without a number of good players with injuries. Both our full backs injured this week, one with a sprained ankle and another with a pulled hamstring. Lets hope that they repair fast.
 
My man of the match reflects the game. As usual our goalkeeper Jack Robery, pulled off a number of saves which we all take for granted. This is the second week that Jack has had a massive influence on the game and is now being recognised and rewarded.

The much awaited north London derby finally arrived and Perhaps a little too hyped up for some. The first half an hour was all Winchmore Hill and more specifically Andy Barrells half an hour. Our team was warned that he was a handful and still we couldn’t stop him causing all sorts of trouble. A lesson hopefully learned for the future, but he certainly gave us a lesson on the day. We were 2 goals down in the first 15 minutes and we were shell shocked, this was a first time we had been put under this kind of scrutiny.  After the first 2 goals Jack robery had to pull off another 2 saves that could have wrapped the game up for the Hill, tipping a free kick on the the bar and over along with a great one vs one save. In the last 15 minutes of the first half  we made 2 substitutions (Using the roll on roll off philosophy that we have embraced) bringing on Alosie Ohuonu and David Greene which helped to settle and take the game to Winchmore Hill. A couple of set pieces caused them problems, with David hitting the bar from a drop down in the box with his first touch. This was by far our worst half of football all season, and credit to Winchmore Hill for their part in our poor performance.

​Roll on to the half time break, where we had to try and get things back on track. What was said seemed to work, and we were back to our normal game pressing the Hill from the off.
It was the reverse of the first half with 2 quick goals from accurate corners by Matt Roles. The first one fumbled in by their keeper and the second a bit of a scramble headed home by Max Harrowell.
 

​Our biggest test so far in the AFA cup against last years finalists. The game was not to disappoint and started at a pace that was definitely a new experience with Old Meadonians dominating the first 10 minutes with possession and territory. Looking from the bench, this was a new experience for the boys and we had to sit and wait to see how they would respond to the onslaught. We didn’t have to wait too long before we responded, after the 10 minutes we settled and took the game by the scruff of the neck and turned it round for the next half an hour. During our period of advantage Chris Morgan, assisted by Laurence Connolly, struck a medium range shot curling the ball into the top right corner giving there keeper no chance. Unfortunately at the end of the half when we were in control of the game we conceded a penalty which looked like a coming together, but  because of some needless negative banter that was creeping into the game, the referee decided to give a penalty. This changed the game back to Old Meads who were gifted the opportunity to go in at half time drawing instead of being behind. During our spell in the first half we should have been further ahead with many chances that  were missed, but this was still encouraging that we were making the chances in the first place.
 
The second half started like the first with the opposition coming out with all guns blazing and were fortunate to be gifted an early chance when Jack Robery slipped when clearing the ball that fell nicely to the opposition. We were outnumbered and facing the wrong way allowing them an easy opportunity which they converted. With their tails up, they continued with the pressure and it wasn’t long before they took advantage of one of their numerous set pieces. A suspicious corner was given after the referee overruled the assistant referees decision to give a goal kick and a well taken corner into the middle of the box was met by their centre half with a bullet header that left Jack no chance. The game went a little to and fro for a while before we rolled our sleeves up and showed our character and started to take the game back to Old Meads who looked surprised with the change of heart. We were now well on top, with the goalkeeper making several good saves. But it wasn’t long before we got a penalty when Laurence Connolly was brought down in the box. Unfortunately Matt Roles failed to convert and we remained two goals down and time ticking away. Instead of our heads going down, the complete opposite we went again and continued the pressure until Laurence Connolly finally got his first goal for Norsemen assisted by Max Harrowell. To be fair Laurence had his fair share of chances in the game and deserved his headed goal in the fracas in the box. As the clock was ticking away we continued to press and pressure Old Meads and this persistence finally paid off with Laurence Connolly being brought down again in the box in the final few minutes of the 90minutes. Up steps Gavin Suddell, insuring he gets the ball before Matt gets it, and scores the equalizer. Just when we thought we had enough drama in the 90minutes we found ourselves in at the back post and the ball put back agonisingly across the six yard box to find no one on the end of it. The final whistle goes and we go into extra time!
 
There was a reasonable crowd by this time and nobody was going home. The game continued with a high tempo from both teams during the first half of extra time and finished on level terms. The second half was the same but Old Meads were given a piece of luck when a shot was deflected off Max Harrowells head when he tried to block a shot and looped over Jack Robery with no chance of saving it. The last 10 minutes was messy where we tried too hard and rushed our play giving the ball away too cheaply, but to be fair so did the opposition. A great game that finally put a halt to our 100% record and we wish Old Meads the best of luck for the rest of the competition.
 
The man of the match goes to someone I mention most weeks but not this one for some reason, but Alfie Lloyd was exceptional. In defence, allowing the opposition nothing with some of the hardest and best timed tackles you will see and showing composure running with the ball setting up attacks for us. The understanding that is starting to develop with Laurence down the left side is gaining fruit because Laurence is getting the confidence to get forward and create as well as covering for Alfies forward surges. Laurence can feel unlucky that he didn’t beat Alfie this week!
 
As an extra compliment to the game. The referee wrote in his report that we deserved more and that this was the best & most competitive game he has ever had the opportunity to referee. Take heart and push on!
      

Happy New Year!
 
After a couple of weeks lay off we were looking forward to the top of the table clash with EBOG, which is also the only team we havn’t played yet. We were expecting a hard game on a difficult pitch and we were not disappointed. The game started at a pace that continued until half time with both teams competing hard for the important points available. We had most of the possession and tried to play our normal game which was disrupted by the competitive nature of the game. However the first half finished goalless with Jack Robery and the EBOGS goalkeeper both making good one on one saves. Everything to play for with neither team really making a mark on the game.
 
The second half started the same way until we gave a silly free kick away to give EBOGs a chance. A poor free kick that went through all the players was met by a late runner who passed the ball into our goal. This was not the first time we have gone behind this season and won’t be the last, so there was no panicking or doubts that we would pull it back if we carried on with the way we have been playing this season. We were knocking on the door with David Greene hitting the bar from a Matt Roles knock down and It was only a matter of time before the opponents would run out of steam. After a few more attempts we finally scored with Gavin Suddell sliding David Greene though one on one before calmly slotting past the keeper to equalise. The patience of our side was brilliant throughout the second half, reaping the rewards 6 minutes from the end. Matt Roles thumping in a loose ball coming out of there area which he hit through a number of various bodies creating mass celebration throughout the squad. By this time the opposition looked tired and beaten. After more free kicks, cards and a sin bin we finally put the game away when the EBOGs keeper took Gavin Suddell out when he was clean through on goal. Gavin stepped up to take the penalty and made it 3-1.
 
Looking back it was good to see all the players matching the competitive spirit, in a difficult environment. It is great to have David Greene committing to the rest of the season adding to our talented squad. Now the cobwebs are wiped away we can look forward to the rest of the season with players competing for game time! There were a number of contenders for the man of the match with many consistent performers but it was between 3 players in the end. Alfie Lloyd with another faultless performance in defence and penetrating runs that caused the opposition all sorts of trouble. Chris Morgan Who showed composure when the game was at its most frenetic and his tracking back to help the midfield, as was discussed before we started. And Max Harrowell who swept up and made some crucial headers when the game needed it most. The award goes to Max in the end after much deliberation. The only other thing to add is that we finally seem to be talking more, especially Down the middle with Captain Jake Lawrence, Max and Jack all Piping up!
 
A final word on our reserve side led by captain Austin Gash. Also yet to lose in their league campaign. They won 3-0 away at Weirside Rangers with players Archie Lloyd, Charlie King and Tyrese Reynolds who have all been part of the first team set up this season stepping up on Saturday. The competitiveness for places between the two sides makes my job very difficult to select a match day squad but a fantastic problem to have. Both the first team and reserves have increased their level of quality so far this season both remaining unbeaten in the league campaigns. A long way to go so lets not take the foot of the gas anytime soon!!    
 
 
Gary Harrowell, First XI Manager
 

​Another wet & windy Saturday afternoon, this time a trip to the other side of London to play Old Dorkinians in the AFA Senior Cup. They are fourth in the first division of the AFC league so our work was cut out for us especially with 4 squad players missing. After an hour and a half drive we were slow to get our game going and conceded a goal to a very competitive Dorkinian side. This period could have been a lot worse if we didn’t have our consistent shop stopper in Jack Robery who pulled off at least 2 great saves that kept us in the game. We had 12 players and utilised the roll on roll off rules to make an early substitution which instantly changed the game. On came Marcus Fatogun which gave the opposition something else to think about, allowing us to score 2 goals in quick succession. The first from our centre back James Bex with another goal from a Matt Roles corner which will hopefully bring on another run now he is completely recovered from his broken nose. The second from “Hot shot” George Barton who smashed the ball into the bottom corner from 40yds out as a result of a bad clearance by one of our opponents. The first half finished with Norsemen back in control  and looking forward to the second half
 
The second half carried on from the first as we started to dominate possession and it wasn’t long before we got our third from another long range effort. This time from Matt Roles assisted by Marcus Fatogun who hit it over their keeper who got his finger tips to it but failed to save it. This made it 3-1 and unfortunately we got a bit sloppy and conceded to let them back in. The confidence & spirit in this team enabled us to get straight back into the driving seat with another goal from Gavin Suddell assisted by Tyrese Reynolds who robbed their full back and passed into the oncoming Gavin. At 4-2 we again switched off and lost concentration to allow Old Dorkinians to score and get their hopes up but there was only minutes left. Full time, 4-3, and into the next round.
 
We had a debut by an 18 year old, Louie Remy, playing in the centre & then wide on the right giving a confident display pushing himself into the squad. The future looks good with the 2s winning emphatically with good reports on many other players. Another plus are the goals that are coming from all over the pitch, from all different players especially the thunderbolt from George Barton, who is getting better every week now he is getting fitter and more confident. The man of the match goes to Matt Roles for his goal, his assist and being the best player on the park on the day! Let’s also not forget the early saves from Jack Robery that should not be taken for granted.
 
One more important note. Keep yourselves fit over the Christmas break and make sure you turn up to the Saturday 29th December training session at the club that you will be informed about. We have won and achieved nothing yet!
 
Gary Harrowell, First XI Manager

After a pitch inspection on Friday afternoon, the game was to be played on the first team pitch as long as the weather stayed dry. Happy days, the opportunity to widen the gap and keep the run going against our toughest opponents to date, NUFC Oilers! Marcus Fatogun had his second start for the first team and the second start against the Oilers which broke the oppositions hearts for the second time with an inspired performance and the winning goal in the first half. We were missing our captain and our CDM so up stepped Matt Roles into both roles which he carried out with ease. Not his chosen position because he like to roam forward and his assists are invaluable to the team further up the pitch. But with the help of Gavin Suddell who sat and helped Matt jeopardising his goal scoring record, we kept a clean sheet which is a target we are setting ourselves for the oncoming games.

The game was fairly tight but Our Keeper Jack Robery did not have a save to make, yet we both made their keeper work much harder and hit the woodwork three times. It was a solid all round performance with  the defence being resilient and more organised with more communication especially from Max Harrowell which bodes well for the future. We are still a work in progress but moving in the right direction looking at playing one more game this year to maintain our 100% record. Do extra training and be available to make sure this happens!

The man of the match goes to Marcus Fatogun for stepping up and causing chaos amongst the Oilers back 4 for a second time this season. His bullish performance topped by a contender for our goal of the season steads well for the rest of the season. Also should be an inspiration to any reserve team players who have the desire to play first team football as Marcus has for sure stepped up when called upon! Well done to him and the side now making it 10 league wins out of a possible 10.​

Gary Harrowell, First XI Manager

We headed out on a glorious Saturday afternoon to the Hive to play our most competitive game of the season so far, away to NUFC Oilers. It turned out to be exactly that and seeing the team in the bar beforehand, we could see we were up against a big side.
The pitch was a long walk but once you get there, you are rewarded with a lovely big flat pitch with plenty of grass. We definitely wouldn’t be going into the changing rooms at half time. There were some chances from both sides and both keepers did their jobs to keep a stalemate.
 
The first half was very tight and competitive with the weather changing by the minute. It started off with a gale and turned into a thunderstorm with halestones. Even the Gods were against us! However we managed to get to the second half goalless against the wind, the storm and the biggest team we have come across so far (Not just tall).
 
The second half started the same way with everyone getting soaked, and then the game livened up with chances from both sides. The first was a one on one against our consistent club captain Jack Robery who duly obliged with a magnificent stop which we are starting to take for granted. We then made a change bringing on Marcus Fatogun who was starting his first game for the ones  and was our only player that matched up to the size of their players. We weren’t to know but this seemed to change the game as they started to worry about our man mountain! Shortly after we scored a bizarre goal from a Chris Morgan free kick that was bundled into the roof of the net. How it got there through the mass of bodies is a mystery but we will take the good fortune. It was down to Jack Robery now to keep us in the game by pulling off a treble save that defied logic. They were gutted and their momentum withered slightly. Jacks saves added to the goal was a killer for them. They didn’t give up but they found that they had something else on their mind when  the inspired substitution of Marcus Fatogun was sucking up there focus, allowing other players more space and time. Marcus went on to show he wasn’t just a physical option by going on a couple of jinking runs that had their defence in knots. It was one of these runs on  the byline that he went on and then cut back to Chris Morgan to make it 2. NUFC can feel hard done by as this was the hardest game so far.
 
My man of the match this week was a toss up with a 3 sided coin. Marcus Fatogun  by changing the opponents focus, Chris Morgan for his 2 goals or Jack Robery for his inspired goalkeeping. In the end it had to be Jack Robery for keeping us in the game on more than one occasion but also for not throwing one in this week. 

Thankful for a large squad of talented footballers and despite a number of injuries, we travelled to HSBC with continued high expectations. The squad is getting to the size that missing away games or training could have a serious effect on game time which can only be a good thing. The boys that stepped up fitted in to our team as if they had been playing all season and with good numbers at training it can only improve our performances for the rest of the season.
 
George Barton cheekily said our performance was like Barca! Not quite but on the best pitch we have played on this season we were able to play some entertaining one touch football on the ground which was a joy to watch. Gavin Suddell suffering from foot & mouth (the mind boggles with what kind of company he is mixing with) had  a number of opportunities which could have got him to the top of the Ian Charles Top Goal scoring Chart, but alas will stay near the bottom below our centre backs. He did score a couple, one in each half but had to take him off because the cars in the car park were getting too damaged! His first goal was assisted by Matt Roles and the second by Jake Lawrence who had another impressive game breaking up the opponents attacks before they started.  The other goal in the first half came from a sweet strike by Matt Roles assisted by Laurence Connolly which rocketed into the bottom corner of the net.
 
There were a number of good performances, George Barton who has played all the position along the back had a great game and was in the frame for man of the match until he started shooting and taking free kicks, resulting for a throw in. I have already mentioned boys stepping in, but they should be acknowledged! Louis Burlton, Austin Gash and Callum Robery all made the trip at short notice and helped us get the points. This gives us the confidence that we have the depth in the club which is very healthy place to be in.  Archie Lloyd is looking sharper every game and his brother Alfie is consistently giving the opposition headaches in the numerous positions he has played in. However my man of the match goes to Jake Lawrence who marginally beat Chris Morgan for totally dominating the midfield not allowing any possession for our opponents and redistributing to his own players which was only wasted when passing to Gavin!