Woodbridge Formation  4-5-1

Team  

This match was due to kick off at 11.00am Sunday morning, but Hanwell asked if they could re-schedule the game for a 12.30 start due to another team playing on their pitch. We kindly accepted the bribe of free sarnies after the game, and agreed to their terms.

Unfortunately the early game overran by an hour due to the referee not playing 30mins each half as agreed, but the full game. This did not sit well when we were then informed that he would also be the ref for our game, and that he had close ties to Hanwell! But being a team who often face a dilemma or two (plus we’d already been sitting around for the best part of 2 hours) we agreed to play the game.

1.30pm Kick-off…..finally

Somehow, even after a one hour delay we managed to start with only 10 players, and without pointing anyone out -ELLIOT PORTIFIELD- (technically bold writing isn’t pointing…you need a finger for that) managed to slot himself into the right midfield spot.

Today marked the debut of our new keeper Tom *cough* who soon found out that life in the Woodbridge goal is never boring. Now he had some pretty big shoes to fill as the keeper of our previous 2 games only conceded 19 goals (yeah it was me, hence no match reports…I blame the defence). Tom acquitted himself well and was soon showing both teams how good a shot stopper he was. He also showed us how bad at goal kicks he was, as this duty fell to the centre backs. However as the game went on Toms confidence grew, and the next goal kick he took sailed over our heads and into the oppositions half (que gasps from all the outfield players who had never witnessed such a feat before!!!)

Half time and the score remained 0-0 with both teams carving out chances but failing to capitalise. As the game went on tempers began to fray and it wasn’t long before challenges became a little shall we say enthusiastic. Horror struck in the 70 minute when a shot was spilt by are keeper, and with the defence a little slow to react we found ourselves one nil down, and with a player hobbling of the pitch. Mark Reeves was replaced with Woodbridge veteran John Bullock who was soon stuck in, making many great challenges and interceptions.

Chances for Woodbridge went begging with Lewis unable to keep his footing, and several great saves from the oppositions keeper. In the 85min any chance for a revival was ended when a speculative high shot took a nasty bounce and looped over our poor stranded keeper.

Tempers frayed again when a poor challenge on Kevin Abbott saw him react badly (hand bags at dawn stylee) which saw both teams squaring up to each other. However the referee saw sense and a more or less well tempered game ended without either team receiving a card.

Final Score 0-2 to Hanwell Celtic, but the best performance from Woodbridge this season.

Man of the Match  - Michael Reeney for a superb game at right back.