30/03/02 - Camden United Res. v Gt. Chishill

Last time around we were beaten 3-0 on a very windy day over at Gt Chishill. We played better than the scoreline suggests. If I recall correctly it was 1-0 for 70 odd minutes and we came close to equalising a number of times before they got two late goals. The scoreline flattered Chishill. Having said that, they were very well organised at the back.

This week we hoped to get something more out of the game. Chishill were certainly not as good this time around. Their main striker was tall and awkward but not really pacey, so we dealt with that threat okay. His striking partner was more of a threat, skillful and good at running at our back four. It was down the flanks that Chishill had most of their success. On our left they were making Layton struggle (Skelly was injured), and down our right John, Will and Tommo were having to pull wide to help Gareth (whose keenness to push forward somtimes left the space in behind). Gareth was looking fitter today, and did his job well.

I can't recall any real opportunities for us to score in the first half, which shows the game was a stalemate up to that point. Cookey worked hard up front, closing down the Chishill defence. Liam didn't have much joy at all today. Andy saved us a couple of times when the ref overruled some offside flags. Apart from that, it was pretty dull.

The second half at least saw some goals. Initially it was more of the same, with most of the play in the middle third. As the game wore on our play was getting more sloppy and Chishill started to dominate. Again this is probably down to the fact that his was only our second game in two months. Last week was an awful team performance, we played like strangers. This week was much better but we still the performance dropped off badly in the second half. Most of our success was down the left with John Murray seeing more of the ball, helped ably by Cookey.

Chishill did get through us a couple of times but their finishing was very poor for a team so high in the league. Eventually the pressure worked though, and Chishill scored a good individual goal. One of their more skillful players made a run into the box and somehow evaded all tackles to place the ball into the far corner of the net. A well taken goal it has to be said. This lifted Chishill and deflated us. We weren't having the best day of it on the attacking front so it was hard to see how we could get back into the game. Things got a lot worse soon after when Chishill got a second. (which I don't remember at all). Then to make matters worse Speedy went off with a back injury and we had no subs. (Roger had already come on for Liam). So, down to 10 men, 2-0 down and less than twenty minutes left. Chishill's third goal came after a bad mistake from Tommo. A simple ball fired across the goal went straight under Tommo's foot and across the six yard line for a Chishill player to gratefully tap into the net. Oh dear.

So, 3-0 down with ten men and even less time to go. So what did we do? We actually started to play football. John Murray and Cookey were seeing more of the ball and we managed to build up some good attacks. One ball lofted over the top was chased by Cookey and a couple of Chishill defenders. It was one of those defenders that managed to lob his own keeper for a nicely taken own goal (though not as good as my flying header a few months back). Our second goal came within five minutes. This time a cross was swung in from the left wing. A couple of players from both teams went for the back post header and the ball ended up in the net. Again, I think it was an own goal. Great freekick from John I think.

So, game on. 3-2 and a few minutes left. Chishill looked ragged. We forced a couple of corners and it was a pity we couldn't make it count. Apart from a 15 minute spell in the second half when all Chishill goals came, we played okay. Roll on next week, as I think we've finally remembered how to play football.

Rob