Jubilee FC kicked off their first league game of the 2011/12 season with an away fixture at St Mary’s School, the home of newly promoted team New Riverside. Manager Elton Marks had a squad of 14 players to choose from and opted to play the favoured tactic from pre-season, 4-4-2. New commanding goalkeeper Luke Lloyd started in goal, with Saul “set-piece” Charalambos and Dean Powell at full back. Returning Captain Phil Victor was partnered by Matthew Brown at centre back. Johnny “left peg” Heather and Josh Rodgers started on the left and right wings respectively with Sam brown returning to centre midfield with James Cristion. Marc Farrell and Michael Richardson led Jubilees attack. Max Charalambos, Piers Short and Nicky Alvarez were warming the substitute’s bench today.
Jubilee kicked off the first half and immediately showed they were up for today’s game. Jubilee dominated the opening periods of play with some lovely attacking play down the wings and the defence was solid at the back. The commanding voice of Captain Phil Victor was ever present with the encouraging remark of “It’s all gravy” resonating around the pitch. A Barcelona esc moment occurred down the left hand side of midfield with Johnny ‘left peg’ Heather twisting and turning around the opposition players and a combination of one-twos with Michael Richardson was able to have a shot on goal. Unfortunately it fell to his wooden right boot and was unable to steer it into the net. Marc Farrell went close with an audacious chip when the keeper was off his line. While James Cristion was a constant nuisance to opposition defenders.
New Riverside were not seeing much of the ball and produced two rash challenges on Sam Brown and Matthew Brown, somehow no foul was given by the referee. Sam Brown feeling aggrieved made a two-footed scissor kick which resulted in a yellow card. The lads back at the sky sports studio thought he was lucky to stay on the pitch. Sam Brown was undeterred and broke up the play excellently providing a pass down the right hand side to Josh Rodgers, who beat his man and played the ball to the over lapping Dean Powell. Dean Powell was clattered by the opposition defender in the 18 yard box but amazingly the referee adjudged the opposition player to have cleanly got the ball and gave Jubilee a corner. One of the controversial decisions of the season and only been one game has been played!
On the 34th minute mark the ball was intercepted by Saul ‘Set-piece’ Charalambos and broke forward with Johnny ‘left peg’ Heather. Johnny, with the ball at his feet, cut inside and played a through ball with the outside of his foot to Michael Richardson who had peeled off his attacker. Michael Richardson took one touch of the ball and laced home an exquisite right footed shot. The first goal of the season for Michael Richarson and Jubilee FC, 1-0.
New Riverside knew they would have to up the tempo of the game and went straight on the attack. Saul ‘set-piece’ Charalambos did well to twice deny the opposition a goal with some excellent blocking. Luke Lloyd pulled off an excellent save by turning the ball round the post. But the defence was breached 1 minute before half time with a through ball that cut the defence in two and the opposition striker slotting the ball into the corner. 1-1 Half time.
Jubilee were pleased with their first half display but were disappointed to concede in the last few minutes and not putting New Riverside to the sword by scoring a couple more goals. Elton said a few words and was forced into a tactical change due to captain Phil Victor aggravating a previous back injury. On came Max Charalambos at right back with Dean Powell slotting to centre back.
New Riverside kicked off the second half and were immediately on the attack. There was some excellent blocks and interceptions from Matt Brown and Dean Powell. But the Jubilee defence was breached on the counter attack and New Riverside took the lead, 2-1. Jubilee kicked off with renewed enthusiasm and went on the attack, with the Charalambos brothers at full back providing added support. The game looked to be tipping back in Jubilees favour when an opposing player racially abused James Cristion. A brawl ensued resulting in James Cristion, Phil Victor and an opposing player being sent off.
With both teams now having 10-men the players looked a little startled. Elton Marks made a few tactical changes in bringing on Piers ‘livewire’ Short for Marc Farrell and pushing Matt Brown into central midfield. Matt Brown intercepted a through ball, dribbling the ball forward and exchanging excellent passes with Piers Short and Josh Rodgers. Max Charalambos, running from the edge of his own 18 yard box, was played though by Josh Rodgers into the opposition box. Max Charalambos took a touch and laced a shot into the top corner, only for the keeper to pull off one of the best saves of his career pushing the ball over the bar. The referee then made the best decision of the game, disallowing a goal for New Riverside for a ball that had clearly gone out of play.
The Jubilee players could sense blood and wanted to get a result for their aggrieved team mates. The goal came through an excellent driving run from Matt Brown, interchanging the ball with Sam Brown. Sam Brown played an excellent weighted pass to the feet of Michael Richardson who laced the ball into the back of the net, 2-2. There was only going to be one team that would win now but the referee blew time on an entertaining first game of the season.
The full time result was met with jubilation and disappointment. Jubilee knew that they could have won the game if they had been more clinical in the first half but were pleased they did not end up the losing side. The whole team played well with Michael Richarson claiming the MOTM from gaffer Elton Marks for his well taken brace and all round play. Sam Brown and Matt Brown were also deserving of a mention for some excellent periods of play. Jubilee face Haileybury in their first home game of the season. Station Approach is no easy place to play for opposing teams and Jubilee will be looking to record their first win of the campaign.
By Max Charalambos
