Jubilee FC arrived at Goffs Lane for the first round of the Hertfordshire intermediate cup against Rileys Athletic. Elton Marks decided to experiment with the team and also give some new players a run out. The formation was set at 4 – 4 – 2 with the ever present Luke Lloyd starting in goal. Jack ‘Essex’ Tickner and Nigel ‘50p head’ Agykumhene started at right and left back respectively. Dean Powell and Nicky Alvarez started at centre back together. Dean Freedman and Josh Rogers started on the left and right wings with Max Charalambos and Sam Brown forming a new central midfield partnership. Piers ‘livewire’ Short and Marc ‘Barnes’ Farrell led the Jubilee attack. Johnny ‘leftpeg’ Heather, Saul ‘set-piece’ Charalambos, Joe Lloyd and Barry White were warming the Jubilee bench today.
Jubilee FC kicked off the first half. The open 10 minutes were scrappy with neither of the team seeing much of the ball. Rileys Athletic were playing diagonal balls to their wingers but both Jubilee full backs were keeping them quiet. Jubilee were making some excellent runs up the channels with Sam Brown and Piers Short linking up well. The first Jubilee chance fell to Marc Farrell. From a throw in Marc took a touch and volleyed goal wards only for his shot to be parried. As the half progressed Jubilee were getting more attacking chances. A free-kick from Sam Brown was nodded into the area by Josh Rogers and Max Charalambos stuck out a leg but was unable to make contact.
Rileys Athletic were getting frustrated and seemed to be taking their anger out on Marc Farrell. One extremely bad challenge on Marc led to a free-kick which was marginally kicked over. Just as it looked like Jubilee were about to make the breakthrough, a corner from Rileys athletic was drilled in and deflected off Josh Rogers into the back of the net. 1-0 to Rileys Athletic. Jubilee kicked off and immediately went on the attack. Sam Brown played a looping ball to Max Charalambos who headed past the defender and shot wide. Jubilee broke again after the ball was won by Jack Tickner played to Dean Freedman. Freedman took a touch and played in the deep running Sam Brown. Sam beat 2 players with a shake of the hips and tried to play in Piers Short but the ball was intercepted. Just as it was approaching half time Rileys Athletic broke down the right. Their attacker went round the defence and was bearing through on goal. Nigel Agykumhene made a shoulder challenge and the attacker fell to the floor in a heap. The referee blew his whistle…PENALTY…to Rileys Athletic!! Rileys Athletic took the penalty and was SAVED by goal Keeper Luke Lloyd. Fantastic from luke and Jubilee went in at half time at 1-0.
Despite being 1-0 down Jubilee were feeling hard done by. Elton Marks and Marc Farrell rallied the troops for the second half and Jubilee went out to win in the second half.
Rileys Athletic kicked off the second half and immediately kicked it long to the left winger. However, Nigel Agykumhene was not in the mood for failure and cut out the ball with ease. Jubilee were pushing forward for the equaliser. Sam Brown was getting forward to bolster the attack with Max Charalambos supporting the Jubilee defence. Sam Brown broke forward but was fouled after going round a player. Marc Farrell stepped up to take the free-kick. Marc bent the ball round the wall and an oncoming Piers Short connected with the ball and headed into the back of the net. The score was now 1-1.
Jubilee were buoyed by the goal and could sense the winner coming. Elton Marks decided to make some tactical changes with Dean Freedman coming off for new signing Barry White. The ball was won by Nigel Agykumhene at left back and played through the midfield to Marc Farrell. Marc took a touch and smashed the ball with his left foot. The keeper saved it but was put into the path of Barry White who placed his shot into the back of the net...however the referee gave OFFSIDE…how he worked that out only he will know.
The game resumed and Jubilee were obviously in shock from the decision. Dean Powell and Nicky Alvarez were still switched on as they were both excellent at cutting out any through balls. Just as Rileys Athletic were about to break Max Charalambos broke up the play with an excellent sliding tackle. That was to be his last contribution to the game as he was substituted for the more attacking Johnny Heather. Elton Marks intentions were clear for all to see…this game is to be won in 90 minutes.
Johnny was now attacking with verve through the middle of the pitch and immediately made an impact going close with a shot and playing in Marc Farrell. Jubilee were pressing for the winner when Rileys Athletic broke away down the right and scored. 2-1 to Rileys Athletic.
Jubilee kicked off and immediately went on the attack with Sam Brown out strengthening the defender and playing the ball to Johnny Heather who took one touch and shot towards goal, but it was saved by the keeper. A long ball over the top was intercepted by Dean Powell who powered past four opposition players imitating the injured Matt ‘mad dog’ Brown. Unfortunately Dean was shut down before he could get the shot off.
Just at Jubilee were pummelling the crosses into the box a long ball over the top misjudged by Nicky Alvarez was slotted home calmly by the attacker. 3-1 to Rileys Athletic. Jubilee didn’t give up and came close with long distance shots from Nicky Alvarez and Josh Rogers. The full time whistle blew and the game ended 3-1.
An unlucky defeat for Jubilee FC and on another day we would have beaten this team (especially if they didn’t blatantly cheat). Jubilee FC host top of the table The Barge this coming Sunday at Station Approach and will be looking to get back to winning ways.
By Max Charalambos
