Amateur Football Combination

Affiliated to the Amateur Football Alliance, London F.A., Middlesex F.A. and Surrey F.A.

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Amateur Football Combination vs Southern Amateur League 2003

Amateur Football Combination 4 Southern Amateur League 3 - 19th November 2003 at Hanwell Town F.C - played for the Steve Langley Memorial Cup.

Match Report  (courtesy of Del Saunders of the Southern Amateur League)

With the result in doubt until the last kick of the match, the hosts fought back after being two goals down. A lacklustre first half from the visitors saw the AFC well in control up to half time and should have ended the first 45 minutes with a comfortable lead. They had the fillip of a goal within 4 minutes when a long cross from the right found Ben Fox unmarked on the 6 yard box who was left with an easy header to open the scoring. The SAL could not get into any rhythm and further chances fell to Mathew Jeilay and Oliver Monksfield both unlucky not to increase the lead. 

The SAL could not get a grip on the mid-field although Steve Holliday almost levelled with a header on one of the few attacks that the visitors managed. Monksfield was making life torrid for the defence with quick runs and first time crosses into the box from the right, and the SAL keeper Kieren Hutchings did well, twice diving to his left to push out goalbound shots, the second an especially fine save from Kris Sonne. Jeilay, very quick up front was also causing problems but the defence, lucky at times held out. Michael Ayres did his upmost to stem the tide and following a fine 40 yard run found Anthony Mann clear, but the latter had just strayed offside.Paul Canavan nearly equalised, when put through but his low cross was well saved by Steve Donnelly in goal for the AFC at his near post. He again, was in the right position on the half hour mark denying Ayres who did well to turn and shoot first time from the edge of the box. Anthony Mann then went close heading into the side netting following a corner but this flurry from the SAL was short lived. 

Once again, Jeilay forced Hutchings into another save and Sonne, with his close control gave the opposing defence continual problems.Despite the pressure, the visitors seemed quite capable, when they managed to maintain possession of the ball and Nathan Violet almost scored when put through on the left but his chip over the keeper dropped just over the bar.With time running out, the lead was nearly increased. A good move down the left and first time cross from Lee Harper found Jeilay, who headed just wide, with everyone beaten. The first half ended, still 1-0, which on the play was disappointing for the AFC. John Russell Smith and his defence had performed well to restrict the SAL to just breakaway efforts.

Manager Bob Leeds half time talk to the SAL certainly produced a response in the early part of the final 45. The SAL seemed a transformed team. Albeit in the first minute Jack Costello nearly increased the lead, volleying over from 15 yards, it was the visitors who then started to produce some good football. A slick three man move, involving Canavan, Nick Humber and Violet nearly produced a goal although in the next minute another fine right wing cross from Monksfield saw Fox head just over. An inspired substitution putting on Whytelock saw him equalise with his first touch after 54 minutes. A free kick from Hurst, through a wall of players, deceived the keeper who saw the ball late and could not hang on, and Whytelock had the easiest of opportunities to tap into the open net. 

The SAL were now in full flight. Another free kick by Hurst from 30 yards was just over, Mann was put through but denied by a good save from Donnelly, and minutes later the same player cut inside and from the edge of the box clipped the bar. Although Monksfield again came close on two occasions it was no real surprise when the visitors went in front after 64 minutes. A speculative 20 yarder from Mann found the inside of the far post with everyone stranded. Shortly after Donnelly again saved well from the same player and then Whytelock nearly added to his tally with a lob from 18 yards. The lead was increased on 74 minutes when Ayres broke free, found Mann, who made no mistake with a fine right foot shot. The SAL paid the penalty of relaxing too soon and the deficit was cut 30 seconds later from the restart. Once again Monksfield broke down the right, crossed and there was Jeilay unmarked with another header. The same player was on hand 3 minutes later to equalise from close range following another defensive lapse. 

With both sides looking for a winner, play was end to end.Ben Willis nearly scored with a header just wide, having been sent into the box to meet an Ayres free kick. The AFC responded and following a foul in the penalty area Dan Salanson duly made no mistake from the spot.Twice with headers of the line, the AFC defended their lead and with the SAL pushing up, could well have added a fifth.Young Rupert Cope, making his debut and becoming the youngerst player ever to represent the AFC, at the tender age of 16, twice caused problems with his speed down the right wing. Almost at the end, Willis, following good skills from Neil Hurst, made space on the left but shot over the bar. John Cooke, the Referee, then blew for full time leaving a 4-3 victory for the AFC. All the officials, the 3 "J's", Cooke, Faithfull and Crook, all remarked that it had been a superb game in which to officiate.

This was a fine game played in true AFA spirit. The AFC side was the youngest to represent the League and the future looks extremely rosy for them.

The Steve Langley Memorial Cup, which will be played for by both Leagues on an annual basis, in memory of the former SAL captain Steve Langley of Crouch End Vampires, who died earlier this year at a very young age, was presented to the winning captain, Colin Jones, by Brian Owen the ex Manager of the Vampires and family friend and mentor of Steve, but now involved with Crawley Town.

The game was sponsored by R J Sheen & Co Ltd and the man of both teams were presented with awards after the game by Howard Minors on behalf of the Financial Director Mr Charles Dawson, the recipients being John Russell Smith and Anthony Mann. A suitable response was then made by John Miller, Secretary of the SAL.

Officials: Referee: J Cooke, Asst.Referees: J Faithfull and John Crook.

Amateur Football Combination :- Steve Donnelly (Old Wilsonians), Colin Jones (Albanian), Lew Delaney (Old Danes), John Russell Smith (Glyn Old Boys), Andy Voss (UCL Academicals), Jack Costello (Old Meadonians), Oliver Monksfield (Hale End Athletic), Ben Fox (Old Meadonians), Kris Sonne (Old Camdenians), Mathew Jeilay (Old Hamptonians), Lee Harper and Michael Critchlow (Old Danes), Rupert Cope and Dan Salanson (Old Meadonians) and Stewart Minors (Old Danes).

Southern Amateur League:- Kieren Hutchings (Winchmore Hill), James Bird (Old Owens), Nick Humber (Alleyn Old Boys), Ben Willis (Winchmore Hill), Mark Grove (Nottsborough), Paul Canavan (Nottsborough), Michael Ayres (Old Salesians), Anthony Mann (Old Owens), Nathan Violet (Nottsborough), Steve Holliday (Broomfield), Paul Clapham (West Wickham), Steve Whytelock (Nottsborough) and Neil Hurst (Winchmore Hill)..

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