Match Report...

Carshalton 1s

 5 Simon Clare 4, Keith Cave

Crouch End Vampires

 4  

SAL - 9th November 2002

With 7 (yes, seven) 1st team players unavailable for selection this week, we called up some debutants for this thriller against Crouch End Vampires.  After starting poorly the previous week, and a similar delay to the kick off time this week, we were determined to start correctly and gain the upper hand in the early stages.  This we achieved by first hitting the bar and soon after their keeper saving well.  The breakthrough did come after 20 minutes, a fine solo effort from Simon Clare after beating the offside trap, over-elaborating as only Simon can, but finishing very well from just inside the penalty area. 

We continued to press, but from their first attack, Crouch End scored.  A suspect challenge on Keith Cave let in their forward and he made no mistake.  We were soon back on top again with another fantastic strike by Keith Cave.  Last week's was a cracker & this may have even surpassed it.  Their keeper did not move as it flew into the top corner.  Then a few tackles from Crouch End went in late and very dangerously.  The referee took no action and soon after, an awful challenge on Dave Tilley left him taking no further part in the game.  Incredibly the referee still took no action, except to threaten players for complaining about the challenge.  He seemed to prefer coming down on anyone who dared to criticise, rather than protect the players from challenges which he himself described as "bordering on the highly illegal"!

Anyway, Simon Clare's second saw us go into half time 3-1 up and in control.  "Carry on as before" was the half time message and we did.  Chances went begging before Simon eventually got his hat-trick.  4-1 up, cruising and I had started relaxing and enjoying myself.  I even forgot all the hassle of trying to pick a team through the unavailability farce.  Oh silly me.  The rest is just a blur - defensive lapses, more goals, a penalty and a very long five minutes.  I cannot really report on the rest of the game rationally, but we did end up 5-4 winners. 

From what I do remember of the whole game, Ross Sinclair made some good saves; Barney Lock had a solid debut and his intelligent distribution was a plus; Keith Cave read the game well and was always there when called upon to cover; Martin Vincent had his best game for a while; Andy Cook was as dynamic as ever and last, but by no means least, our four goal super striker Simon Clare, man of the match.  Oh, and we could have scored a dozen.  Buckle up - it's going to be a fun season.

Paul Gunter