Amateur Football Combination vs Arthurian League 2004

Arthurian League 3 Amateur Football Combination 0.

played at Hanwell Town F.C. on Wednesday 31st March 2004

"PUNCHLESS AFC KO'D" (report courtesy of Del Saunders)

Despite a chance in the first minute, cleared off the line from Harry Hoffen, following a corner, it was the AFC who made the brighter start and controlled the game for the first 20 minutes. Although not creating many clear cut opportunites, Mathew Jeiley went close, finding space just inside  the left hand side of the box but pulling his shot just wide of the far post. Having survived this early pressure it was the Arthurians who began to see more of the ball and were unlucky when Quentin Baker turned sharply in the box only to see his goalbound effort be deflected for a corner. Hoffen almost put them in front on the half hour mark but his effort was well saved by the AFC keeper Simon Greening. The AFC responded well with some good long balls down the left wing from full back Lewis Delaney, in particular one lovely ball into the path of Henry Turner who could only shoot straight at the Arthurian keeper. Dave Lederman for the Arthurians saw a volley blocked  after 32 minutes but three minutes later the same player put the hosts in front. A free kick from 35 yards on the left hand side seemed to have been touched in but it was confirmed that the kick had eluded everyone on it's way into the net. The AFC began searching for an equaliser before half time and following the ball being given away, Lee Reynolds went close with a 25 yarder just over the bar. A resolute Arthurian defence restricted the AFC side to long range efforts although the speed of Turner caused the opposition problems. Hoffen with his strength up the other end also looked sharp and constantly worried the AFC back line.

The Arthurians started the second half with confidence and Baker continually caused consternation. Hoffen missed a simple opportunity to increase the lead and Baker also went close from two yards following a cross from Lederman. The latter then produced lovely close control inside the box only to see his effort cleared off the line. The same pattern continued at the other end with the Arthurians restricting the AFC to long range efforts. Another glorious chance was missed by Matt Lowe, blasting over from just under the bar and the spectators were beginning to wonder whether the Arthurians would rue these missed opportunities. However, Hoffen on 77 minutes allayed these fears. Beating an offside trap he coolly chipped the keeper to make it 2-0. Despite the efforts of the AFC to produce a goal their forwards did not have enough punch to dent the Arthurian defence. The final nail in the coffin came almost on time when Lowe made up for his earlier miss by scoring the third from the edge of the box, although his shot took a slight deflection. The Arthurians on the day ran out comfortably winners although it has to be said that the AFC were perhaps missing a couple of their regular side due to the AFA Senior Cup final being played three days later. Despite the one sided scoreline a note of hilarity did occur in the stand when a "wag" noted that one of the players on the touchline seemed to be sponsored by Alzheimers Research Bristol and wondered whether the AFA Council could do a deal for their own sponsorship.

At the after match hospitality the President of the Arthurian League Martin Samuel thanked everyone concerned for producing an entertaining game and the Amateur Football Combination Chairman Jim Buttress responded accordingly.

The game was sponsored by ECLIPSE SOCCER SCHOOLS and their Managing Director Steve Surridge presented man of the match awards to Harry Hoffen of the Arthurian League and Brian Hanley of the Amateur Football Combination.

Officials:- Referee: David Smith  Assistant Referees; Terry Baker and Eddie Carter.

Teams:- ARTHURIAN LEAGUE:- James Butcher (Lancing Old Boys), Rupert Hoffen (Old Harrovians), Ben Evans and David Gurney (Lancing Old Boys), Jason Golder (Old Carthusians), Paul Molloy (Old Harrovians), Tom James (Old Malvernians), Harry Hoffen (Old Harrovians), Matt Lowe (Old Etonians), David Lederman (Old Harrovians), Piers Bourke and Quentin Baker (Old Harrovians).

AMATEUR FOOTBALL COMBINATION:- Simon Greening (Old Meadonians), John O'Brien (Old Ignatians), Lewis Delaney and Brian Hanley (Old Danes), Len Wapshott (Old Meadonians), John Russell-Smith (Glyn Old Boys), Lee Reynolds (Parkfield), Ben Fox (Old Meadonians), John Jeyes (Old Danes), Mathew Jeiley (Old Hamptonians), Lee Harper (Old Danes), Henry Turner and Michael Dermott (Old Meadonians), Paul Alexander (Hale End Athletic), Stewart Minors (Old Danes) and Steve Surridge (Old Aloysians).