Jubilee FC arrived at Pond Close for their fourth away game of the season against Haileybury. The team were disappointed to hear that Haileybury only currently had 8 players but many phone calls later they were able to field 11 men. Elton Marks decided to stick with his favoured 4-4-2 formation. Elton Marks started himself in goal with Max Charalambos and Saul ‘set-piece’ Charalambos at right and left full back. Dean Powell continued his flourishing partnership with Nicky Alvarez at centre back. Johnny ‘leftpeg’ Heather and Josh Rogers started on the left and right wings respectively with Samuel Brown and Matt ‘mad-dog’ Brown playing in the centre of the park. Marc ‘Barnes’ Farrell back from his ‘soul weekend’ partnered Joe Lloyd in the Jubilee attack. Piers ‘livewire’ Short, Jack ‘Essex’ Tickner and Nigel ‘50p Head’ Agyekumhene were warming the bench today.
Jubilee FC won the toss and it was a sign of things to come for Haileybury. Jubilee kicked off and immediately asserted their dominance in possession. Jubilee had a few attacks down the left and right wings involving Johnny Heather and Josh Rogers but the ball was cleared up field by the Haileybury defenders. A clearance from Elton Marks was well controlled by Matt Brown. Matt knocked it round one player and dribbled his way through the Haileybury defence with the Haileybury defenders bouncing off him. Matt Brown shot into the top right hand corner from 10 yards out, the goalkeeper had no chance. 1-0 to Jubilee FC.
Haileybury tried to up their game but seemed to have only one plan, a long ball down the left side of the pitch. Unfortunately for Haileybury, Saul Charalambos was on form and had the left midfielder in his pocket. However, a long throw down the right was headed well into the Jubilee goal, 1-1. This was the wakeup call Jubilee needed and immediately put their foot on the gas. A corner from Saul Charalambos was met by Josh Rogers who half volleyed the ball onto the bar. It wasn’t long until Jubilee broke through again. A ball from Dean Powell at the back to Johnny Heather who beat his man, steadied himself and shot from 30 yards out into the top left hand side of the goal. A stunning strike from Mr Heather. That strike will surely compete with Sam Browns goal against Cuffley FC for goal of the season. 2-1 to Jubilee FC.
Jubilee FC were not content with 2-1 and kept up the pressure. Max Charalambos broke up the play with an excellent sliding tackle in the middle of the park which played in Matt Brown who was unfortunate not to score again. Sam Brown shook his hips like Elvis around the Haileybury defence but Joe Lloyd was unable to meet the cross in the box. The half time whistle blew with the score at 2-1 to Jubilee FC.
Elton Marks didn’t have much to say at half time. The team was playing well and he emphasised to the players to keep up the pressure. It was time to claw back some goal difference and cement 3 points after tasting defeat the previous week.
Haileybury kicked off the second half and it was immediately obvious that their game plan was long balls down the centre. Dean Powell and Nicky Alvarez were not worried and excelled at dropping deep to sweep up any long balls. Jubilee were on the break when Matt Brown was fouled just outside the box. Marc Farrell stepped up to take the free kick and bent it round the wall into the bottom corner of the goal. Marc wheeled away in celebration with his team mates amazed at how fast he could actually run. There was talk of a wicked deflection taking the ball away from the goalkeeper but with the sky cameras elsewhere today it will never be known. Marc Farrells first goal of the season and 3-1 to Jubilee FC.
Elton Marks felt it was a good time to make a tactical change with Joe Lloyd coming off for Piers ‘livewire’ Short. Piers made an immediate impact by chasing down defenders and rushing them into passes. Jubilee kept up the attacking pressure down the left of midfield with Johnny Heather going close again and Saul Charalambos having a shot saved at the near post. But a counter attacking move down the right side of midfield with Josh Rogers and Piers Short proved decisive. Piers ‘eye browed’ Josh’s cross which landed at the feet of Marc Farrell, who viciously toe punted the ball into the bottom corner. 4-1 to Jubilee FC.
Jubilee were now attacking with some serious intent and creative freedom. A ball intercepted down the right by Max Charalambos, was knocked round the defender and played into Matt Brown. Matt crossed but the attackers were unable to meet the ball. That was Max Charalambos last contribution to the game as he was replaced by Jack ‘Essex’ Tickner who was returning from injury.
Jack made an instant impact playing the ball to Josh Rogers who crossed the ball in for Piers Short. Piers volleyed the ball towards goal but the goalkeeper parried it out right to the feet of Marc Farrell who held off the defender and slotted the ball into the corner of the goal. Marc Farrell’s first hat-trick for Jubilee FC. 5-1 to Jubilee FC.
Elton Marks sustained an injury to his right leg meaning Saul Charalambos had to pull on the yellow jersey and go in goal. Nigel ’50 pence head’ Agyekumhene came on at left back. Haileybury were now kicking every ball long at every opportunity but the defensive unit was playing extremely well. The final goal came from a Nicky Alvarez ball out wide to Josh Rogers whose cross was cleared for a throw in by the Haileybury defender. Sam Brown took a long throw which was controlled by Marc Farrell and slotted into the goal. 6-1 to Jubilee FC, and Marc Farrells fourth goal of the game.
An excellent team performance from Jubilee FC which resulted in a 6-1 win against Haileybury. Jubilee FC move up the table to joint first place with New Riverside, only being separated by goal difference. The clinical finishing and range of chances created by Jubilee FC pleased manager Elton Marks. The defensive unit was excellent in reducing the amount of chances Haileybury created.
Dean Powell collected the man of the match award for a superb display in marshalling the defensive line. However, he was run close by Marc Farrell who scored four excellent goals in the second half, including one 22 yard free-kick.
Jubilee FC play their next game against AC Hertford at Station Approach were they will look to build upon winning ways.
