SAL Division 2 - 18th February 2006

Cars entertained South Bank at Beddington Park on Saturday hoping to continue their unbeaten run and steady climb into the promotion picture.  The key messages before the game were to play with the commitment and passion shown over the last 2 games and to not take the opposition lightly regardless of their league position.  Despite spelling out these key messages, the game began and Cars were very poor to say the least during the opening 20 minutes.  South Bank were much the better side and created chance after chance with their lively midfield and attack asking difficult questions of our midfield and defence.  Quite how South Bank failed to capitalise is something they are probably still chewing over now but somehow Cars managed to hold out for the remainder of the half.  

Even more of a bonus was the snatching of a goal just prior to half time; a messy goal which barely trickled into the far corner.  A very fortunate half time 1-0 lead which was in fairness an injustice to South Bank.  The half time talk was shall we say a ' controlled half time rocket'.  If we played in the same way in the second half then our luck would run out and South Bank would inevitably score.  I purposely mentioned no players in the first half report because all were equally poor and not noteworthy.  However, not for the first time this season a different Cars turned up in the second half. 

Suddenly, everyone seemed to have an extra 2 yards of pace, the marking was tighter, the tackling was harder and the team looked imposing on a rapidly beleagured looking South Bank side.  The midfield deserve the credit here, Paul Neil was particularly menacing down the right flank and caused mayhem throughout the entire second half.  Dave Tilley found himself more time and began to pull the strings in midfield.  Equally, Stuart Jeffries played his best football to date and played with mobility and contributed to the goals in the second half.  Whilst we are on the subject of goals.  Johnny Phillips capped a fine second half performance and helped himself to a fine hat trick which was full of pace, power and a cannon ball left foot which South Bank simply couldn't deal with.  To be honest, we probably could have scored at least 3 more goals mainly due to poor finishing and some misfortune.  This would have been a little unfair on South Bank after their first half performance. 

Special thank to Fisky and Tom Ritchie for their contributions from the bench.  In summary, a very welcome 3 points which keeps up the pressure on the sides around us who are pushing for promotion.  The good run continues and we seem to be a team that is now not only difficult to beat but can equally dismiss sides when we play somewhere near our best.  Cup semi this week so there are no excuses from this point on in the season.  If we want to be in the mix for honours then every game from now on is massive. 

Sam Knowles
I would just like to say a few words about the young man.  Sam played his last game for the 1s for a while this Saturday.  Sam is off to Australia for the next 2 months and will then be off to university from next season.  So firstly good luck and enjoy both experiences Sam.  On a personal note,  I would just like to say how much Sam will be missed on and off the pitch.  Barring injury at the  beginning of the season and the early finish to his season, Sam would undoubtedly been in the mix for player of the season.  For a man (well 19 year old) of diminutive stature, he certainly punches well above his weight in the centre of the park. Industrious, fearless, consistent with no little skill sum up Sam.  Hopefully we will see Sam in the near future playing for Cars and I am sure he would become a first team stalwart for many years to come. Thank you for your contribution Sam. 

Backers, Cave, Swan, Biggle, Neil, Jeffries, Knowles, Tilley, Vincent, Wigham, Phillips (subs) Appleton, Fisk, Ritchie

Shaun Swan