First game of the new season, first match report for an age. The Lions are back.
After a week in which we ran around to get players signed up, fees paid and then late on Saturday night alast minute scramble to find a pitch after we discovered our normal home pitch had not been set up by the council, it was a relief when we were able to actually get on with playing football.
We kicked off the season against one of the league's new boys Teddington Athletic. We also welcomed some new members to the club with Harry, Max, Ahmed and Ben P making their league debuts. And a welcome back to the team for Rob Dunn, who reminded us of what we missed by scoring two goals before half time. Both were headers, the first after a Kieran Watt cross was flicked on and the second direct from a corner by the aforementioned player.
We really were on top for the first 30 minutes and could have been 5 or 6 up at half time. Max and Ben both had fantastic opportunities to join Rob on the scoresheet, with multiple chances just skimming wide of the post. Could have had a couple of penalties, with Ben being helped to the floor by two hands in the back and a couple of trips in the box that were just ignored by the ref.
We've been here before with paying the price for chances wasted and there was a bit of the dejas when they scored with their only corner of the first half. We simply didn't get organised or even seem to be aware when the corner came in and they basically had a free header.
That encouraged them for the last ten minutes and though we saw the half out on top, it was far closer than it should have been. Ben and Ahmed came on for their debuts and we started the second 45 as we started the first. It was definitely more even though and we needed another goal. This was wonderfully provided by Bache, who caressed a gem of free kick from a central position into the top right corner.
The pick of our goals was the fourth, which started in our half with Kieran surrounded by their players on the left touchline. What followed was a lovely bit of controlled short passing and one touch play in a tight area to release Nelson on goal and he calmly slotted past the keeper.
We then had a bizarre incident when the ref finally gave a penalty for a blatant foul on Max in the area and Kieran stepped up to take the spot kick. Not a great pen it has to be said as the keeper saved it easily and well, with the ball coming back out to Kieran. At this point the ref blew the whistle, play stopped and chaos and confusion reigned. It turned out that the ref mistakenly thought that the ball had actually come straight off the post and therefore Kieran wasn't allowed to touch it again. He owned up to it straight away but didn't actually know how to resolve it apart from doing a drop ball. I had even less of an idea so I said drop ball is fine.
Didn't know he was going to do a drop ball on the penalty spot, which really annoyed some of the oppo camp. When the resulting scramble resulted in Max slamming home a richly deserved debut goal, they were even less impressed.
There was still time for Ben P to try to get in on the debut goal act with a peach of lob over the goalie that pinged off the post but not into the goal. We then conceded a late second when their winger found a way through to cut a ball back for their player to guide it home from outside the box.
Special mention for Jamie, stepping up for goalie duties whilst we look for cover for Paige. He didn't have much to do to be fair but he pulled off some good saves and had no chance with either of the goals.
So an excellent way to begin the season and the way the team gelled with the new players in the mix really impressed. Long, long way to go, but couldn't have asked for a better start.
