Jubilee FC were back in action for only the 3rd time in 2012 against Sun and Harrow. The winter weather scared a few players off and Jubilee FC were down to the bare bones. Manager Elton Marks went with a 4-5-1 formation. Luke ‘Bosnich’ Lloyd started in goal with Max Charalambos and Piers ‘livewire’ Short at left and right back respectively. Dean Powell was partnered by Jack ‘essex’ Tickner at centre back. Marc ‘Barnes’ Farrell anchored central midfield with Sam Brown and David Binder. Johnny ‘leftpeg’ Heather and Josh Rogers were on the left and right wings respectively. Barry White led the Jubilee attack on his first full start for the club.
Jubilee FC won the toss and chose to change ends so that Luke Lloyd wasn’t blinded by the early morning sun. The game got underway and was a bit scrappy for the first 10-15 minutes as some of the jubilee players were getting to grips with their new positions and partners. Sun and Harrow were able to get a few long range efforts on target but Luke Lloyd made the saves look easy.
Some neat foot work from Marc Farrell enabled Sam Brown to play a through ball to Josh Rogers down the right hand side. Josh ghosted in behind the Sun and Harrow defence and was one-on-one with the keeper. Unfortunately Josh slotted just wide but it was the first big chance of the game. David Binder played a lovely ball to Barry White in the middle of the pitch. Barry controlled the ball and played Johnny Heather in down the left of midfield. Johnny crossed the ball into the box but no Jubilee player was in the box.
Sun and Harrow were having a bit of pressure but the Jubilee defence was holding out well. Jack Tickner made an excellent sliding challenge on the edge of the Jubilee box and won the ball. However, it was adjudged to be dangerous and the referee blew up for a free-kick that Luke Lloyd saved well. Jubilee FC then hit Sun and Harrow on the break and Max Charalambos won a free-kick on the edge of the box. The free-kick was whipped in by Marc Farrell but was unable to be met by a Jubilee head.
Sun and Harrow had an attack down the right side of their midfield which was intercepted by Max Charalambos. Max played the ball into space down the left to Dean Powell. Dean cut inside and played a lovely ball to Samuel Brown. Sam spotted the run of Barry White and played the ball in front of him. The ball teased the goalkeeper off his line and charged towards the ball. However, Barry got there first and slotted the ball between the goalkeeper’s legs and into the back of the net. 1-0 to Jubilee and Barry White scored on his Jubilee FC debut.
Sun and Harrow were shell shocked and couldn’t muster any attacks before half time. The half time whistle blew at 1-0 to Jubilee FC. Elton Marks was happy with the team work displayed and encouraged the team on.
The whistle blew for the second half and Jubilee were immediately put under the cosh by the opposition. Sloppy mistakes were being made and Jubilee were unable to get out of their own half.
Just as it looked like Jubilee were going to concede, Sun and Harrow gave away a sloppy free-kick on the edge of their own box. Sam Brown spotted Jack Tickner on the edge of the box and slotted a perfectly weighted ball into the feet of Jack. Jack took a touch and toe poked the ball into the bottom corner of the goal…leaving the keeper with no chance. 2-0 to Jubilee FC.
That goal really killed Sun and Harrows moral but Jubilee FC knew 2-0 is a dangerous score line. Sun and Harrow were getting a bit tasty in their challenges but obviously didn’t realise who they were trying to intimidate.
A through ball between the Jubilee defenders was picked up by the attacker and was one-on-one with Luke Lloyd. Luke made himself look big and the goal small and the player shot into the bottom corner but was well saved by Luke. A corner resulted but Luke calmly claimed. Excellent goalkeeping from Luke Lloyd!!
As the half drew on there was less chances created for either team, with most of the shot being long range efforts. David Binder and Marc Farrell went close to scoring from range but were unable to trouble the opposition keeper.
Just as Jubilee thought they were home and dry the opposition striker latched on to a through ball and shot past Luke Lloyd. 2-1 to Jubilee.
However, Jubilee saw out the game with a solid defensive shape and the Sun and Harrow players were obviously getting frustrated as they were putting in plenty of dangerous challenges. Luke Lloyd pulled off another amazing save down low to his right as the winger beat the full back to get his shot off.
The full time whistle blew and Jubilee won the game 2-1. It was an excellent team performance in which each player was playing for each other. Luke Lloyd picked up the MoTm award but was closely piped by Dean Powell who was the rock at the back as always. The next game for Jubilee is against the Barge and Jubilee FC will have revenge in mind when the two teams meet this coming weekend.
