MBBO Open League Division 1

Trysports League Division 1

ACHC 1-0 Gerrards Cross. Scorer Watson
ACHC 2-2 Windsor. Scorer Spicer (2)

A satisfactory couple of results given the long lay-off and the introduction of two newcomers - who scored all the goals.

It was the first time we had played Windsor, and they were a strong side who controlled the majority of the game. But A&C defended very well and lead until 2 minutes from time. Unfortunately they finally beat Vicki at one of their many corners, but we held on to claim a point.

Against GX we had the majority of the play but failed to convert any of our half dozen corners. This made it a much tighter game than it should have been, but defensively we were very strong and GX never really looked like scoring. We eventually scored an unorthodox open play goal thanks to fine combination by Lynda Bullock and Catherine Watson.

Wycombe 3-0 Mens 6th

They didn't score in the first half, which was a result in it's own right. Good marking kept them at bay, along with excellent goal keeping by Steve Jackson. Considering they are second out of eleven in the league and we are seventh, it wasn't a bad result. We had a team made up of half the regular 6ths guys, some new faces and some helpers.

A very warm welcome to Laurie Walmsley, who cleared the ball from the goal, very well, many times. A late welcome for James Perks, who plays well anywhere. Thanks to Avtar Hunter-Singh and Andy Pearce for helping out. Big thank you to Bob Hance, Justin Bootland and Steve Jackson, who are so fit, that they then went to play for their team the 5ths, straight after.

Poly 1-2 Mens Vets

On Saturday the Vets played away to Poly. Despite a rather lacklustre and disjointed performance the Vets managed to produce a 2 - 1 victory thanks to an inspired run down the wing by Tony Bennett, who produced a sizzling pass across the goal for Jim Paul to rocket the ball into the goal and thanks to a flick by Alan Crossman lifting the ball over the goalkeeper following a short corner. Nobody could remember when Alan last scored a goal with a flick. A better performance will be required away at 3.00pm to Abingdon this coming Saturday. At our venerable ages we should remember to look for players in our own team to pass to. Controversial but true!!

Irish Night - Sat 15th March

Guinness, Jamesons and Slippery Nipples! - And not forgetting Kitto's famous Irish Stew, which will all be served up in quantity on Irish night. Tickets are only £2 (which includes the Stew). It should be a good one.

Note: Tickets bought in advance will feature a "Buy 5 pints of Guinness for the price of 4" voucher on the back.

Spring Ball - Sat 26th April.

OK, this is something you need to put into your diaries now, as it's the big event of the year. Again in a marquee and with your best bib and tucker on, eat, awards, then party and swing the night away. Tickets will be on sale soon. £30, so buy them ASAP, or start to pay this weekend, in instalments of £4. per week. Raffle prizes gratefully received.

Mixed Cup

This Sunday sees the mixed team take on Reigate Priory in the second round of the Timpson Trophy. We need as much support and encouragement as possible, so please come along and cheer the team on. The game is at Newlands, pushing back at 1.30pm.

SEE YOU THERE!

Rover Oxford 0-1 Mens 4th

A difficult top of the table clash with second place Oxford, made even trickier due to unusual unavailability in this side, was to bring out the best in the fourth team spirit. A forced formation change to 2-4-4 due to the type of players available added to the need for flexibility. New faces in Alex Whayman and Sam Quin both had excellent debuts. Etchegoyen, still new to the side, had another solid performance making incisive runs into the left channel. Dan Thomas making a timely return from school commitments made a near faultless partnership with Josh at Full Backs. James Lander lead the way with the 4th team spirit by defying his "death bed" and his mother's will (sorry James) to turn out and continue his role as the lynch pin in central midfield, today partnering Tony Eaude.

This clash quickly developed into a close contest with the ball moving swiftly from end to end, but with few clear-cut chances from either side, as both defences remained tight and well organised. Good work from Etchegoyen saw a second short corner fall to A&C. Eaude received the injection from Greenwood, feinted to switch right but then swept the ball firmly back towards the outside of the left post. The keeper having advanced towards the P-spot left Greenwood a simple sweep through a wrong-footed defence to score. Despite the opposition hitting the left post with a flick after a good move A&C survived the first half without conceding. This was in no small part to Josh and Dan at the back who really could not have done a better job. In the first half Josh in particular looked impregnable, defending on the front foot giving opposing forwards no time to think, every "telling pass" was either swept away or a tackle went in as soon as they received the ball.

As the pressure mounted, the forced substitution of the injured Sorzano during the second half left Quin and Etchegoyen to partner up at the front to provide an outlet and respite during the last 20 minutes. Great off the ball movement from both, supported by C Lander and Stevenson on the wings allowed A&C to maintain a threat even though more of this period was played in the defensive half. Continued good work, tracking back and breaking out from Eaude, J Lander, Whayman and Greenwood was crucial. Eaude nearly made it 2 with a clever drive at goal but his shot narrowly missed the left post. The stars of the show were the full backs, whose concentration and composure under pressure could not have been bettered. Dan showed experience and discipline beyond his years, as he always managed to channel his man wide and when required many a perfectly timed tackle went in. Despite the pressure and the quality of the opposition the keeper had a relatively quiet game.

Above all this was another great team effort from the 4's who have now secured promotion and must do something drastic to lose the title. Keep it up boys.

Team: Keoghan (GK), D Thomas, Josh, A Whayman, J Lander, T Eaude, B Greenwood, M Stevenson, H Etchegoyen, S Quin, C Lander, K Sorzano