Sunday, December 04, 2005
Barking 1, Waltham Forest 1 SFL 3-12-05
Barking started the game with the wind behind them both metaphorically and physically. They pushed up from the start and managed to cause more than a few problems down the Stags’ right flank.
Indeed, it was Barking who almost went ahead on 9 minutes when Ben Willis rose at the back post to meet a corner but headed onto the top of the crossbar.
A minute later Michael Lenahan had a good looping shot from 15 yards after the Stags’ defence failed to clear properly.
Barking were piling on the pressure for some time so it took nearly 20 minutes for the Stags to have their first effective attack. This came in the form of Wes Thomas who brought the ball down into the penalty area in the inside right channel. He managed to turn his defender and cross the ball to Didier Batunga whose fierce shot went just wide.
The half continued in the same fashion end Barking missed another chance on 40 minutes when they sent a free kick in from the left which their massed ranks at the far post all failed to get a touch to.
Barking must have felt somewhat dismayed when, in injury time in the first half, the Stags went ahead after winning a free kick on the left side of the Barking penalty area. Batunga swung the ball over and Leon Belton McKenzie was on hand unmarked to make space for himself and slam the ball into the net.
The second half started well for Barking when Woodards got through the Stags’ defence on 50 minutes and should have scored from about 7 yards out but contrived to blast over the bar.
Then the “Big Match” turned into “Fight Night”. It seemed that ex-Waltham Forest man Liam Baptiste had some kind of point to make when he followed in on ‘keeper Charlie Hasler after he had made an excellent save. Incensed by the treatment handed out by Baptiste, Hasler made the cardinal error of getting up and retaliating. As is normal, all 22 players then got involved in the brawl, some helping and some hindering. Realising that the best policy is to stay away from a brawl, even the home ‘keeper ran the length of the pitch to add his august weight to the proceedings.
When the handbagging was over, Hasler and Brown for the Stags and Baptiste and Palmer were extended the pleasure of the bathing and solarium area.
The game continued 9 a side and , as you would expect, became a very open affair.
Barking managed to pull a goal back when Carl Bruce headed home a Ben Wood corner on 70 minutes and they could have taken the lead were it not for an excellent left handed diving save from stand in ‘keeper Jason Willis.
However, it was the Stags who should have gone home with the spoils as they eschewed three gilt edged scoring chances in the last 10 minutes, home ‘keeper Tony Tucker making two superb saves, then Fola Orilonishe shooting wide on the stroke of time.
An exciting game which became even more exciting with fewer players on the pitch but a match also marred by some extraordinarily poor officiating from all three officials.
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Wednesday, November 30, 2005
A report on the Corby match by Steve Sparta
Corby stride majestically into a 3-0 lead, passing the ball amidst the bewildered Stags, Brett Darby conducting the show. Some neat interplay, a cross and a glancing header for the first, then two more as Forest tried the long ball over the top to little effect.
Suddenly, with 35 minutes gone, the home side gain a free kick about 25 yards out on their right. Didier Batunga, their expert 1eft footer sends in a swerving bullet and as it motors through the goal area and a confusion of heads, Wes Thomas claims a touch and the score. 1-3.
Is this just a consolation? Yes, as before half-time Corby get their fourth. Is it all over now? No, it isn't.
For all their footballing superiority, from centre half Mark Burrows to the suave Darby, we Foresters know our young team have spirit. But can they counter the ability of their experienced opponents?
As the second half starts, we are jolted into the
realisation that all things are possible. The Stags fue forward, this time their aim is sure and they scythe through the former metal workers, warping their shields with the flame of football.
Georgiou wins and takes a penalty, he hooks in another at the second attempt, McKenzie shoots through a thicket of players and it's 4-4! Jesus Christ and Jeffrey Archer. It's the devil's work I tell you.
Three goals in about ten minutes, with other chances going begging too, us fans are being probed in our most sensitive areas.
A shot is cleared off the line, yet the referee gives a goal and we go wi1d! But then there's a linesman giving offside - with their keeper and the player clearing on the line, how is this possible?
Exhortation, intensity, passion, frustration...four more names on the team sheet at Wadham Lodge.
Ten minutes left and the Corby sub 14, Zac Nedimovic swirls in a shot and the winner.
Fine team though Corby are, Forest deserved at least a draw for their incredible comeback. But this game was full of speed fitness and skill - non-stop. No passing the ball a bout for fun. Corby directed their skills towards goal I and Forest have the acclaim of an unprecedented [in my viewing era fightback.
My friend Keith came along for his first game here and was suitably astonished and impressed with the standard and relentless pace of the game.
Curiously I had seen a 4-5 before, Dagenham v Leyton Orient in an early 90s cup tie. I am also reminded of a Pennant revival in 1997 when they beat Aldershot 4-2 with Che Stadhart hat-trick after being 2-1 down in goals and about two thousand down in supporters.
But this game was the best of the lot. Three Corby fans chanting and beating their panels, some riposte from a group in the main stand warming an icy afternoon as we watched and marveled at such drama upon the field of human endeavour.
Medals all round chaps.
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Saturday, November 26, 2005
Waltham Forest 4, Corby Town 5. SFL 26-1-05
(Short Report)
It seems a shame to describe such a game by using a cliché but sometimes that’s what it takes! This game was a real Christmas cracker with Corby picking up the prize due to an 81st minute wickedly deflected goal from substitute Zac Nedimovic.In the first half the Stags looked like they were already suffering from their |Christmas hangover. First, Kevin Byrne scored for Town after only 15 minutes and the home defence folded to let Mark Burrows score on 21, Byrne again on 24.
Three goals up and Town looked to be coasting the Wesley Thomas popped up to bring the home side back into the game with a glancing header. Celebrations were, however, short lived as Town’s Jamie Clarke scored on 45 mins.
This would have killed off many teams but, as the first half had belonged to Corby, the second went to the Stags.
Two minutes after the start, Richard Georgiou was brought down by Danny Marlow for a penalty which Georgiou calmly slotted home.
The revival started and Town folded. Leon Belton McKenzie scored a peach of a goal from close in then Georgiou brought the scores level on 60 mins. Then, with only 9 minutes left, Stags’ hearts were broken by a slice of luck from the sub.
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