Conagh’s cool control
Kew Association Casuals 4-1 Byfleet Village Whites, 25 April, Friendly
Having finished our season, we wanted to try out against a side from the Surrey Primary League, where we’ll play next season. We’d already enjoyed a pleasant friendly at Byfleet in November, so wanted to reciprocate. Unfortunately were denied permission to entertain them at our own ground, so we played at local secondary school Grey Court - a sort of home match for some of the school’s old boys. A depleted team had narrowly lost at Byfleet, although we’d made most of the play. This time we had 15 available while Byfleet had the bare eleven.

The weather forecast had suggested a baking hot day on a hard ground, but in the event, morning drizzle softened the pitch and the sun only broke through late in the second half. From the start, we looked to go forward.  Tom Hinkley broke through, only for the shot to go high. We were getting the ball wide and putting their back four under considerable pressure. So it was somewhat against the run of play that our visitors took the lead. One of our defenders was dispossessed while trying to shepherd the ball across the line for a goal kick, it was whipped across the goal, where we were outnumbered and the keeper had no chance. Their lead didn’t last long though. A through ball to Conagh and he made no mistake, to bring it back to 1-1. We were still getting wide and pulling their defenders out. Tom Hinkley put in a cross, but Tom Morey’s shot went wide. Byfleet meanwhile, with our defence containing them, were reduced to long range efforts which troubled only the fence behind the goal. We continued to push. Dan fired a brute of a shot which the keeper just cleared for a corner. Dan then turned provider, as the keeper misjudged the ball and Conagh pounced to sidefoot into the goal, to give Kew Casuals a 2-1 half time lead.

With so many subs, as it was a friendly, it was a welcome return to roll-on, roll-off, and the chance to try a few people in different positions. Tom Morey who terrorised their left back came off at half time to give Baz a run at right mid and provide no let up for the defenders. He consistently ran the ball to the by-line, crossing it over. From one of these efforts, we earned a corner. Baz was first to get his foot to it, but was denied by a tremendous reflex save, though Conagh was there to coolly take his hat trick and take the lead out to 3-1. We continued to push on, a terrific header from Freddie was saved by the keeper, a long range shot from Dan just went wide. 

But there was still the danger they would get the goal that would put them back in the game, and we were called on to defend. Great to see the midfield getting back to help out the defence, which looked solid all through. Ollie had little to do, but got behind the ball well when called upon and showed courage several times to get the ball on the ground in front of the attackers. Ashley and James were reading the game well and getting comfortably behind all the high balls.  A good return from Cedo who looked to get up the field. And on the right, Rob continued the role he played last week, before switching to central midfield and from there looking to set up the strikers. Kourosh too looked to link up with Baz, but when called on to tackle, proved again and again the best in the team. On the other side, Liam also looked to go forward with the ball, and provided our dead ball service that always had them scrambling. Freddie started wide, then moved to centre mid, then upfront when Conagh was injured and was rewarded for his industry, when a shot from Dan hit the crossbar, he raced in to put it away for a well-earned goal. Dan does everything but score goals and surely one is coming! His superiority in the contest with their big central midfielder was one of the most decisive of the game and ensured we, by and large, dictated the play. In that, he worked with three different players, Tom Edney with his usual reliable game, before Freddie, then Rob. As well he provided assists for several goals and was only narrowly denied himself. In the end though, it was Conagh’s controlled finishing that made the difference and gave us a well-deserved win.   

Finishing in style
Kew Association Casuals 5-2 Epsom Athletic, 18 Apr, League
Our final game for the season and our last ever in the Epsom and Ewell Youth League had a bookend quality about it, playing the team that had overwhelmed us 5-1 on the opening game of the season. Since then we’d strengthened, and improved and were looking forward to a closer contest. Once again we had only 12 players, due to injuries and absences - one even stranded in Serbia by the volcanic ash cloud which had grounded flights. 

Following the manager’s instructions to keep things tight and deny Epsom the ball in the first 10 minutes or so, we went completely berserk and by 18 minutes were an astonishing three goals up. Our opposition, who’d drawn their previous game with champions Merstham B were shellshocked. We had been passing the ball well and had most of the early play in their half, then suddenly a through ball from Liam and Tom Hinkley was on goal, making no mistake for 1-0 after 5 minutes. Three minutes later, Conagh beat the defence and shot from wide, tucking the ball inside the far post, for 2-0. We were showing a determination that had been lacking in some earlier matches. Every time Epsom got the ball, one of our players was on him, shutting him down or dispossessing and we were looking to get forward again. And we were forcing corner after corner. From one James headed a bullet goal wards, only to see a defender head it off the line. But a few minutes later from another corner, Tom Hinkley popped up at the far post to head in his second goal of the game.

Not surprisingly, Epsom did start to come back into the game. Dan was strong in midfield, always looking to get the ball and turn it into attack, especially linking up well with Tom Morey, who took it wide on the right and put in some beautiful passes and through balls. But our defenders were having to work hard too. In the absence of four regular defenders, Rob dropped back into right back and did a superb job, containing their attackers, tackling, passing the ball upfield, going for an occasional run. A big welcome back to Ashley, who’d been missing for the last two games. He was immense, anticipating the long ball, standing up to attackers, commanding the area; James too, especially his headers clear, and dropping to cover the ball over the top. Our utility Tom Edney, this week dropped into left back, always difficult to get past. And crucially, in the last 15 minutes or so, switching to defensive mid to contain their dangerous number 14. Ollie in goal had one of his best games too. He tipped a close range shot over on 30 minutes and another important save on 42 minutes, crucially keeping them goal-less until half time.

Bharat came on at half time for Tom Morey, and straightaway made an impact, running to the byline and flicking it across, but unfortunately, Conagh’s shot was straight at their keeper. Epsom were putting us under much more pressure. From a free kick, Rob headed it out, Ashley blocking the shot that came back in. On 12 minutes, Ollie was out to make a save, diving in front of the feet of their striker. Their pressure told in the end, as a scramble around the far post ended with a cross coming off our keeper to make it 3-1, with more than 20 minutes still to play. It was important not to let them score again, but in fact, on the half hour, we restored the three goal margin in bizarre fashion. A defender put a pass back to the goalkeeper, but failed to notice James wandering back. He pounced on the error and calmly put it past the keeper for 4-1.

After that, I’m afraid we somewhat lost our composure. We could easily have wrapped it up with another three or four goals if there’d been a bit less glory hunting - going for goal when the better option was to pass to a teammate. Then with just 11 minutes left, another superb save from Ollie as he clawed out a fierce strike from just under the crossbar. We finally made it totally safe, when Tom Hinkley made a fabulous weaving run down the left wing, beating two defenders to take it into the goal box, then, unselfishly put the perfect pass across for Freddie to tap in for his first goal since November. A deserve reward for Freddie who’d run his socks off from one end of the pitch to the other. Five minutes left, it was 5-1, and we’d avenged our drubbing in September.

Ollie did his best to keep it that way with another multiple save which ended with him knocked to the ground and Tom Morey yelling “you monster, Ollie”. Dan too was getting on target, with three shots late on, the first strike denied by a wonderful save from their keeper. But we were tiring and our play became too casual and when they got into the box for a last attack, the ref ruled their player had been brought down. So a 5th penalty against us in five games! Ollie got a hand to the penalty but it just went in, then the ref ordered it retaken for encroachment, but the second time the striker made no mistake. That was almost the last act of the game for a 5-2 final score line.  

Two minutes tip the balance
Walton Heath 2-0 Kew Association Casuals, 11 Apr, League
Having been narrow losers in our previous league and cup games against Walton Heath earlier in the season, we suspected we were in for another close contest. Once again we were hit by injuries and absences so arrived with just 12 players and not all of them 100 percent fit. However, our opponents were also down to 12 and missing one of their dynamic duo of strikers; so not surprisingly, their main tactic was to bomb the ball up to the big lad Alex up front. Our centre backs - Adrian and James - stood up well to this, helped by the referee clocking that he was constantly backing into our defenders.

In fact for the first 30 minutes, Kew made most of the play, with exquisite passing moves taking the ball from one end of the field to the other. We forced three early corners but were unable to capitalise on them. A header from Bharat sailed over and a neat chip from Conagh also cleared the crossbar. We were playing a confident passing game, even on a pitch that was in such bad condition that the referee had considered not starting the match. After months of managerial nagging, defenders were even passing back to goalkeeper, Ollie. However, perhaps this wasn’t the wisest time on the worst pitch of the season, although he dealt with all calmly, despatching the ball accurately back upfield. So 0-0 at half time, and we later found out, that was the way their manager expected it to stay!

But in a two minute period, they snatched the advantage. Just over a quarter hour into the second half, their striker Alex was able to evade our defenders and shot from what looked an impossible angle, only for it to sneak in at the far post. A quality goal to break the deadlock. Then, it looked like we would reply straightaway, as passing moves took it us into their goal box, but, with their defenders putting him under pressure, unfortunately Dan’s shot went just over the bar. And a minute later, we were two down.  As two of our defenders went to tackle Alex in the box after he picked a another long ball, he went down. The referee awarded the penalty, amid the protests of our defenders and goalkeeper, who said their striker had tripped over his own feet. However, to be fair to the ref, from where I was looking on one side, and Steve as lino on the other, it looked like a penalty, so the ref’s got to give what he sees and he otherwise had a great game. The pen was driven in, giving the keeper no chance.

Heads went down for 10 or 15 minutes, but then we started coming at them again. For the last 20 minutes, it was all Kew, but we couldn’t find that something extra to get a goal back. In a compliment to our end of match dominance, Walton Heath moved their big striker back to boost their midfield. A long range effort from Dan was collected by their keeper; Conagh got through past the defenders but they got back just as he went to shoot; Baz was getting right down to the byline and pulling shots across, one of which Conagh scuffed just wide, Kourosh moved forward in the last 15 minutes to add a bit extra in attack, his shot going wide; Conagh again chipped just over and finally Rob shot just high from outside the box with a minute to go. Conagh in particular was the danger man throughout and had one of his best games for some time, just needed that little bit of extra luck. Another close game, with quality play and a pleasure to watch.

Heroes send Wolves packing
Kew Association Casuals 1-0 Wolves, 28 Mar, League
For the manager, the day started calamitously and then got worse. Kourosh texted to say he’d fractured his ankle. Then Ashley was reported throwing up and too ill to play, and with James already away, that was our usual centreback pairing out. On top of that, our striking partnership was also absent - Conagh unavailable and Tom Hinkley recovering from tooth surgery. So most of our spine was missing and apart from midfield, we were looking pretty makeshift. Oh and we weren’t sure if we were even going to have 11 players, until Phil promised to haul Ade out of bed. 

In the dressing room beforehand, Gary told the team that we needed 11 heroes out there today to get something out of this match. Wolves were a much better side than last season and had won 4-2 in the away fixture. Ade, in spite of getting home in the small hours, took on the role of sweeper (not sleeper), alongside Tom Nutley in middle of defence, with Cedo on the left, and Tom Edney, back in utility mode, filling in on the right. We switched from the usual 4-4-2 to 4-4-1-1 with Bharat (Baz) as lone striker. And what a great job Baz did. Right from the kickoff, his pace was frightening the Wolves defence and with only five minutes gone, he pounced on a through ball from Dan to take it round the keeper and shoot perfectly into the back of the net. Credit too for Freddie. After his absence to further his acting career, he showed that directing could be among his dramatic skills. Taking the supporting striker role quite literally, he barked out instructions to Baz, virtually directing his moves right up to putting the ball into the net. After such an early success, little did we realise we would have to defend our lead for 85 minutes!

A scrappy period followed as Wolves came back at us. During one attack Ollie dived and smothered the ball just in front of an attacker and then midway through the half, a brilliant save from a point blank shot hit with power. He fended it away, with Adrian, as usual, there to clean up and kick it away.

After that pressure, we got some good attacks in ourselves either side of the break. One moment just before half time saw Freddie cross, Rob pick it up on the other side, centre to Dan who passed back to Tom Morey who just put it over. From the start of the second half we continued playing the passing game. Tom Morey put Baz through, for the shot from a wide angle which just passed in front of the goal. Another run from Baz saw him pass back to Rob, but unfortunately he just found the keeper. And from a Liam free kick, Tom Nutley went close. And another move which began with Tom Morey, saw Baz, Rob, Freddie successively passing in the box before pulling it back to Dan only for the shot to go high. Special credit to Baz. Right through the game he was a threat, and even carried on after injury. Wolves paid him the compliment of putting not two but THREE defenders on him, which meant they were able to commit less players to attack.

It wasn’t all one way though and in the last 15 minutes Wolves really piled it on. Ollie pushed a long range free kick around the post, then a few minutes later came out to catch a tricky cross, before, with just five minutes to go, making another tremendous save from a thunderous shot. The defenders too were getting their bodies in the way as Wolves kept coming in waves. The midfielders also did a great job, whether closing down the runs down the wings, or especially Dan and Rob, breaking up anything coming down the middle and competing with their big midfielder who was trying to dictate play.

Only one little niggle... while our defence and Ollie were making great stops, I don’t think we really worked their goalkeeper. Apart from Baz’s well-taken goal, our shots went high or wide, or were tame efforts straight at him. We deserved to win, all right, but should have done it more comfortably. That said, the fact that for the first time we’ve won 1-0 is an achievement in itself. That we were able to hold that lead, especially In the absence of so many players, shows character and determination and the depth the squad has developed. Well done. As Gary said afterwards, we had 11 heroes out there.

Roundshaw avoid thrashing
Kew Association Casuals walkover v Roundshaw Colts, 21 Mar, League
Unfortunately for our hopes of improving our goal difference, the worst team in our league defaulted their final match, leaving us with the disadvantage of being the only side not to play them twice.

Hinkley hat trick hero
Perrywood Sports 3-3 Kew Association Casuals, 14 Mar, League
A game that got away from us, or to be more accurate, was taken away from us, by some appalling refereeing. The penalty count of 2-0 to the home side only begins to tell the tale of poor decisions. For the second week in a row (and the third time this season) our opponents were awarded a penalty for a foul that had clearly taken place outside the box. And the second penalty was given beyond the time the final whistle should have blown - we were well and truly on Old Trafford time by then. On top of that, every other tackle by Kew was blown up as a foul, and the referee, although not managing to see the ball cross the goal line when their goalie hooked it back, was able to see the same distance the other way to award a corner to our opponents when our keeper fielded the ball past the line.

Kew had a close game at home against Perrywood last month, falling behind 3-0 before coming back in the last half hour to win 5-3. So we were determined not to have to chase the game this time and impose ourselves from the start. For the entire 90 minutes, we played exhilarating football, passing it wide, running it down to the byline, getting numbers in the box for the cross. It finally looked like the opening goal had come, when Conagh just got his feet to a loose ball and it was misfielded by the goalie and appeared to have crossed the line before he palmed it back out. But the referee, who was back near halfway, decided he couldn’t be sure, so no goal was awarded. However, just after 20 minutes, we got our first as Conagh combined with Tom Hinkley who put it into the net.

Kew were continuing to press although having to defend against the odd attack by Perrywood. From one of their few corners, Bharat headed it off the line. In fact for a player best known for his lethal attacking, it was an eye-catching defensive performance from Baz, who stood up well to attackers coming down his right flank and always looked to counterattack.  But mostly it was pressure from Kew, several good crosses whipped into the box, but either we failed to get on to them or the shot was wide. And a lovely through ball put Conagh one-on-one with the keeper, but again the shot just missed.

Against the run of play and from a pretty innocuous attack, Perrywood equalised. Ashley was adjudged to have handled the ball. A penalty was awarded, although from the touchline, it appeared to have been accidental and it looked outside the area. Again we had chances to retake the lead, with another shot flicked wide after a succession of corners. 1-1 at half time.

The second half started brightly and within 5 minutes, we were deservedly ahead. Almost a route one as Oliver sent a big drop kick well into their half, it was collected by Conagh who set Tom Hinkley away for his second goal. But just over a minute later they were level again as our only lapse in defending let them in for a close range shot. From then on, it was mostly Kew. The ball was passed from one end of the field to the other. Several shots went wide, then in another sweeping move, Freddie moved into the box, fed Conagh who again set up Tom Hinkley for his hat trick and a 3-2 lead. With less than 20 minutes to go we looked comfortable, having several more shots on goal. Tom Hinkley was put clear again and had a chance to settle it, but unfortunately it went straight to the keeper. When the ref indicated there was 5 minutes to go, we were still hunting for that extra goal, when probably we should have been slowing the pace down. As it was we ended up playing at least another 8 minutes, giving them an opportunity to get back in the game. There was a succession of corners and long throws, Oliver tipped one shot over the bar.  Then from another corner when I thought the ref might have finally been blowing for full time, he inexplicably pointed to the spot, ironically at the same time denying our opponents a goal as their last strike had put it in the back of the net. However, a good penalty saw them save the point.

We should have won. Certainly the moral victory was ours. But if we’d taken our chances, the ref’s influence would have been brushed aside. At least two gold-plated opportunities were missed. And I noted down at least 7 other very good chances that went wide (mainly) or were too easy for the keeper. But we competed well, opened them up, whether sending it wide or creating space in the middle, which augurs well for our remaining games. 

Pride restored
Kew Association Casuals 1-3 Merstham Youth B, 7 Mar, League
When we played Merstham B early in the season, we were walloped 5-0. A new team to our league, they’ve gone on to be one of the leading sides in our division, as their A team are also in the premier division. So it was a question as to whether we’d be able to stand up to them, to give them a competitive game.

Well, we did more than that. Two minutes into the game, we rocked them on their heels. Liam crossed from the byline for Tom Hinkley to bundle it in for a 1-0 lead. It never seemed likely we’d be able to hold that score line for another 88 minutes, so we poured forward looking for a second. For the first half hour, there was only one team in it and Merstham were fortunate not to go two or three down. But resist they did and with one or two break outs on the counter attack, were starting to look threatening. When their goal came, 10 minutes before half time, it looked soft. One of their players got down to the byline, somehow managed to beat two or three of our defenders then send it into the box for the goal. 1-1 at half time.

The match remained an even contest into the second half, but after just 5 minutes, Merstham took the lead. And it was very like the goal Perrywood put past us just after half time in our previous game. A free kick lobbed into the area and their striker got a head on it first to whip it into the net. We still were very much in the game, but this time there was to be no comeback. Even when they lost their keeper and with 19 minutes left, went down to 10 men, as they had no subs. That followed a stinging shot by Conagh which the keeper parried away, but injured his wrist and was unable to continue. As sometimes happens when a side is reduced to 10 men, everyone tries harder.

We went looking for the equaliser, and more, and paid the price. Our defence was playing too high and one of their strikers got past the last man. Oliver came out of goal, but upended their player. Although it appeared to be outside the box, a penalty was awarded. Oliver saved it, but unfortunately their penalty taker got to it first, for a 3-1 lead. With 10 minutes left, we tried to come back and get something out of it, Freddie narrowly missing a goal in a goalmouth scramble as it went over the bar. But we just couldn’t find the final touch and they defended fiercely, showing that extra quality which will probably see them crowned divisional champions. They were rewarded for takign the few chances that came their way.

On the upside, apart from our inability to find the net, there wasn’t too much wrong with our play. In the absence of centre back Ashley, the other defenders stepped up to the mark and, the goals apart, were mostly untroubled. A big welcome to Dan, who played with authority in centre midfield and was quickly identified as a danger man by Merstham, as they several times unceremoniously hacked him down. After their first goal, Tom Edney managed to largely lock up their playmaker, while the left and right midfielders used the width in attack. A thought here, although we are getting the ball down the wing, there is still a tendency to cut in too early. A lesson here as both sides opening goals came from balls played right down to the byline.  

Comeback Kids
Kew Association Casuals 5-3 Perrywood Sports, 7 Feb, League
An exhilarating performance as the team showed they had what it takes to fight their way back into a match that many would have thought lost, and doing it with just 11 fit players. Kew Casuals had started well, playing our usual brand of passing football on a good surface of our Gate pitch. Almost against the run of play, Perrywood took the lead after 17 minutes, pouncing on a loose ball in the goal mouth. Kew kept on battling in what was a pretty even first half and at least four of our players had chances to score but scuffed it wide or over the top. Perrywood too were playing some nice football and, with just over half an hour gone, from one of their counter attacks, they were able to pick up a second, to lead 2-0 at half time.

But we had been playing well and the manager’s team talk encouraged belief that we could still get something out of this match... although we also might not. It could be 2-2, it could be 0-4 or it could be 4-2 to us. It didn’t look like the last-mentioned when just 8 minutes into the second half, we let them get a cross into the box and their attacker rose to beat both goalkeeper and defender to make it 0-3. At that stage, they thought it was game over, but we kept patiently playing football and with under 30 minutes to go, we got one back, as Conagh beat the defence to score, 1-3. It still looked an uphill task but we were creating more and more opportunities. Just five minutes later, Tom Morey was brought down just outside the penalty area, a great free kick from Liam was parried for Tom Edney to pounce and send the ball across the line. Belief was now coming in bundles. “C’mon, we can win this”, screamed captain James as our opponents restarted at 3-2 up. Another two minutes, Tom Hinkley sent a through ball for Conagh who made no mistake for the equaliser. It was now down to “who wants it most”. Last week we hadn’t, this week, we did.

Perrywood’s forays into our half were fewer and fewer and every time, we were passing the ball wide and getting up into their box. Another pinpoint pass caught their defence flat-footed for Conagh to run through, beating the offside flag and calmly draw the keeper for his hat trick - we now led 4-3. A fifth followed to make the game safe, a well-deserved strike from Tom Hinkley, who’d worked hard and had his own chances earlier in the game. Best of all, we kept playing football right to the end. Perrywood too played a short passing game that challenged our defenders but they were up to the task and every time they got ball to feet, immediately looked to get the midfield moving forward again.

Ashley and James were immense in central defence, one of them getting a head to almost every high ball that came their way, both even having runs forward with the ball at feet. Our fullbacks too both had fantastic games. Kourosh making tackles, always looking dangerous going forward, linking up with Liam and looking for the overlap. Tom Nutley playing in the unaccustomed position of right back looked the business. Defended strongly and as the match went on, he too got the confidence to go forward, even breaching their penalty area, just losing control before he could pull the trigger and bury the ball in the back of the net. Not much Ollie in goal could do about their first two scores but he felt a bit responsible for the third... breaking the old rule, “if you go for it, you’ve got to get it”.  A smart bit of keeping though with two free kicks on target early in the second half, kept us in it while we were still trailing and they looked to kill the game off.

Midfield was the engine room where it was all done in the end. Culpable for the second goal for not tracking the attacker and closing down space, they more than made up for it later, moving as a unit up and down the field. More deserving of praise, as that midfield combination has hardly played together. Tom Edney was back to his bustling best, beating players with the ball at feet, looking for one-two passes and spreading it wide and being up to score from a set play as well.  Liam worked tirelessly, maintaining his record as the only outfield player to have completed every game. His set piece kicks were almost all spot on and he sent in dangerous crosses that put them under pressure. Bharat on the right worked up and down the touchline, tracking and hassling attackers and looking to get forward himself and whipping the ball in. He had one chance on goal, unfortunately pulling it wide, but in the end, that turned out not to matter. Tom Morey had an immense game too in centre mid, getting better as the game progressed. His passing was outstanding, either wide for our wingers or into space behind their defenders for our strikers to run onto.

And upfront, another great performance. After just three games together, Conagh and Tom Hinkley are looking like a striking partnership. Both looked to create space and scoring opportunities and most importantly, looked to play the other in. Tom had chances early on and in the end got the goal which sealed the win. After the early season blues, Conagh certainly showed that he’s found the back of the net again with a stunning hat trick that won us the game. One more player deserving of a mention, Rob, who although ill, not only came to support his side but also took his place as a sub, in case we had an injury - true team spirit. 

Beaten by a tennis score
St Heliers Youth 6-2 Kew Association Casuals, 31 Jan, League
Appropriately enough, on the day Andy Murray had gone down to Roger Federer in the Australian Open final, Kew Casuals were beaten by the tennis score of 6-2. Extremely disappointing, in that for the past three seasons, we’ve had the better of this side in some fairly even encounters, and also as they’d not strengthened to the same degree as some other sides in our division.

Not a great start, as we had no warm up time, owing to the ref, who had another match to go to afterwards, being told the kickoff was half an hour earlier than due. That said, we did manage to get 10 minutes warm up time on the pitch before they got their first goal. Then they kept coming, the second a header, the third crossed in from the by-line for a point blank shot, then another header just before half time, to turn at 4-0 down. The capitulation was almost total, particularly in the midfield. In desperation, the first substitution was made after 25 minutes, just after their 3rd goal, putting James McCarthy on to the centre of midfield, where we were taking a pasting, to get some presence in the middle of the park.

The pitch was awful, but we still tried to play our passing game and got one back fairly early in the second half with a blistering shot from Conagh. But St Heliers were still trying to dominate, and they were making all the effort to get to the loose ball first and then get it up to their forwards. It was end to end stuff and Ollie was catching the slippery ball well as they fired shot after shot. But in the end a mistake led to a fifth, which pretty much killed off any hopes of a comeback. Trouble was, at the other end, while we were creating opportunities, the finish wasn’t there to test their goalie, most shots tamely going straight to him. As was Liam’s free kick, which, in the blunder of the game, he managed to let slip under him to trickle across the goal line, for 5-2. We kept trying, but they got the final goal as much from their determination to run down every ball.

A shocking result when we’d started to come back after a disappointing start to the season.  

Tipped out of the Cup
Kew Association Casuals 3-4 Walton Heath Youth, 24 Jan, Cup
This was our big hope of advancing in the Cup, after coming up against premier division opposition in previous seasons. We’d had the measure of Walton Heath last season, but they’d got some former premiership players in the summer and we knew they’d be a more difficult proposition. A tight match earlier in the season had seen us lose by a single goal in the league, after squandering two cast-iron first half scoring opportunities. We played at Tolworth Goals on a pitch generally in pretty good nick, apart from a mauled up goalmouth. So the first thing to win was the toss, which we lost, so we’d have to defend that mire in the second half.

Early on, we had them under lots of pressure as we played our passing game. Liam had a shot from distance just sail wide. They came back, but it was from a breakout and ball over the top that they opened the scoring after 20 minutes, in spite of the offside flag. But one good “offside” goal deserves another and as Kourosh pounced on a defensive error, the ref waved play on and he tucked it clinically past the keeper. It stayed at 1-1 until half time.

We were still playing some lovely passing football, but it was basic errors that cost us the game. Shortly after half time, a defender was disposed just outside the penalty area as he tried to beat a man, and their two powerful strikers linked up to score. Then Ashley, who’d been a rock in the centre of defence had to go off injured after 20 minutes of the half. While the defence were still reorganising, they stole in for another to take a 3-1 lead. We came back again, and Tom Nutley, who’d switched to right back, and was so far upfield he must have been dizzy, crossed the ball in. Unfortunately, it fell behind our forwards, but fortunately, Tom Hinkley was able to drop back, turn and shoot, making his first goal for the Casuals a memorable one. Sadly, they were able to restore their two goal cushion, as Ollie was only able to palm a cross to their striker, who made no mistake. Our pressure did force a mistake at the other end though as one of their defenders headed our cross into his own net and with 10 minutes to go, we looked for that goal to take it into extra time. We couldn’t quite force it, but appropriately enough, the final whistle went as yet another in a succession of corners was cleared.

Some outstanding performances on our side. Tom Edney commanded the centre of midfield, whether breaking up their attacks, passing to get our wide men away, or Maradona-esquely, running through them with the ball at his feet. Kourosh too had a tremendous game, working up and down the wing, always looking dangerous and setting up chances for our strikers. And when the defence looked fragile after Ashley’s injury, Kourosh went into sweeper to firm it up. Liam too put in a power of work down the left side and Adrian at right back, always looked to counter, sending some beautiful passes into space for our forwards to chase. Tom Morey and Rob worked hard too in the centre of midfield, making sure we remained competitive in the middle of the park. Conagh and Tom Hinkley are starting to gel as a forward combination, and Tom was rewarded for his good movement with his goal. But in the end, they had two very good strikers, plus a solid midfield player setting them off, which was always going to be hard to contain. As the commentator said during the Manchester City versus Scunthorpe match later that day, they never led but were never out of it and that about sums up our day too. 

Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory
Byfleet Village White 2-1 Kew Association Casuals, 15 Nov, friendly
A pleasant friendly in a pleasant environment, fortunate to go ahead after two days of heavy rain. Again we were short of a full squad, in fact had 8 players away or injured, then a ninth crying off with illness on the morning of the match. Fortunately, with the A team’s match postponed, we were able to call on Jacob Strauss to stand between the sticks and Rob Payne filling in at the unaccustomed position of left back.

Kew Casuals started the game well, passing the ball around virtually unchallenged, denying Byfleet any possession and creating plenty of opportunities. But again, finishing was a problem. Liam got to the far post to get on the end of a cross but skied the shoot; Liam then turned provider, only for Bharat’s header to sail over the bar. At the other end, Byfleet were posing little threat. Jacob was hardly troubled as Ashley making a welcome return, alongside James K, dealt with the rare incursions by Byfleet. Out wide, Rob and Tom Nutley at fullback blocked any runs and looked to pass the ball down the wings, while James McC was completely dominant in the centre of midfield. We’d created so many opportunities, a goal had to come, a sweetly struck shot from Conagh, finally beating their keeper. So 1-0 up at half time, but for our dominance, we should have had three or four and been out of sight.

We turned around in the second half, facing a slight wind, but confident of pushing on. However, Byfleet were showing patience. They kept playing simple passing football, appropriate to the ground and conditions. While we remained on top in terms of possession and territory, they started to look to hit us on the break. Ashley and Tom were dealing comfortably with the aerial threat but our midfield was allowing itself to get stretched. Gaps were appearing which they exploited, particularly on the counter attack. We were losing possession unnecessarily in the middle of the park, when trying to do things the complicated way when a one-touch pass to the wings was called for. It was from such a dispossession that led to their equaliser.  They took the ball into the box, it was cleared only to fall for an unmarked Byfleet player (who’d not been tracked by his midfield marker). He fired in from 20 metres, leaving Jacob no chance.

Unfortunately, at that stage, we went flat, while they gained in confidence.  Our best moves were still down the flanks, but too often the central midfielders were getting caught in possession trying to do a bit extra with the ball. Again Byfleet bustled them off the ball, passing wide then crossing into the box for some kamikaze defending to end with the ball in the back of the net. We then finally woke up and the last 20 minutes was all about Kew pressure for an equaliser. Kourosh and Liam were making terrific runs to the byline, then pulling the ball into the box, but their defenders stood up well and their goalkeeper was outstanding. He pushed wide a bullet of a shot from Conagh and later parried a point-blank hit from Liam. And Byfleet also dealt well with our set piece attacks, both Ashley and James K getting in headers. Appropriately enough, Byfleet were defending a succession of corners as the final whistle went. 

It came down to taking opportunities… Byfleet had few, but made the most of them, something we failed to do and will have to do better if we are to get past Walton Heath into the next round of the League Cup.      

Pumas slip the leash
Caterham Pumas 1-1 Kew Association Casuals, 8 Nov, League
Our three season winning streak against Caterham Pumas ended on a heavy ground, where we dominated play for long sections but couldn’t prise open their defence enough to get the winner. Again we had only 12 players available which restricted our options. Early on, we were pretty awful, letting them make the most of the play and take the lead before five minutes was up. While we were still setting our defence and wall, they took a long range free kick which evaded everyone, Ollie just getting a fingertip to it, but not enough to stop it going into the net. They kept the pressure up and we could have gone two down, with the ball hitting the crossbar, but gradually we started playing football and began to assert ourselves. Halfway through the first spell, we got the goal back, when pressure was rewarded with a fine free kick from Freddie, which like theirs, ended up in the back of the net without another player touching it. With 65 minutes left to play, it looked set fair for the win.

We continued to have most of the play into the second half. At times we were camped in their half, although they made the occasional breakouts, but generally the back four, supported by the midfield, dealt well with any danger. That’s not to say there weren’t some moments of individual efforts and I think every defender at some stage was the last man and had to be spot on with the tackle or clearance. After several weeks out with injury, Tom Nutley returned to form. Cedo started at left back then joined him at centre back and put in another solid display. Adrian in particular stood out, making his pace count when cover was needed at the back.

Best of all, it was great to see us dominate central midfield. After an uncertain start - not surprising with Tom Edney coming back from injury and James McCarthy new to the team - our midfield combination was all authority. And they quickly moved it wide where we looked most threatening. It was good to see the fullbacks coming up to join in the attack with some sweet passing moves. Matt, overlapping with Liam, was consistently getting right up into the box, had a shot go just wide and later nearly headed us into the lead as James’s free kick dropped by the back post. Adrian too got right into the box, his shot on goal in the last minute sadly finding the keeper. Baz and later Kourosh used their speed down the right to get behind the defenders. Freddie worked hard all the time to keep the ball moving and organising the attack. Tom Hinkley on his debut made some good runs and looked dangerous. But for all the domination, we just couldn’t get that ball in the back of the net, shots either going to the keeper or blasted wide or over the bar. The game was punctuated with free kicks. To be fair, the referee had warned in advance that he wouldn’t allow pushing, but there was little playing advantage so the flow of the game was broken up. Credit to Caterham too. They battled hard, looked to take their chances on the counter-attack and we could have come away with no points. But in the end we had to settle for one, when it could have been three.    

Wolves pack a punch
Wolves 4-2 Kew Association Casuals, 25 Oct, League
Every match just keeps on confirming that this league is a lot tougher than last year and so it proved against Wolves, who’d been one of the teams propping up the table last season. They hit us early and hit us hard. A horrible lack of communication between defender and keeper gifted our hosts an early lead, from a ball that should have been either kicked away or quickly gathered. Their second was a penalty from a trip, although our defenders thought the offence was just outside the box. Ollie went the right way but couldn’t keep out a well-taken penalty. Then on 20 minutes, we lost Ashley who’s been a rock in central defence since he joined the team. Having just one player available on the bench, and a striker at that, some reorganisation was necessary. Adrian, who started at right back, went in to play sweeper alongside James K and both did a fine job for the rest of the match. But we quickly conceded a third goal, this time down to sloppy marking at a corner, where their man got a free shot from the edge of the box to make it 3-0.

It’s to the credit of all the players that the floodgates didn’t open then as they had in two matches earlier in the season. We kept our heads, started playing some good football, and the management team on the sideline were beginning to mutter, we might get one back before half time. In fact we got two, both determined efforts to take possession and score from in the six-yard box. Firstly Liam, scoring from open play for the second week in a row, then Kourosh getting a through ball from Bharat, made no mistake, taking it around the keeper and virtually walking the ball into the net. It was Wolves who couldn’t wait for half time to arrive.

The game looked there for the taking. We had the advantage of the slope in the second half and the wind behind us. But again, as on so many occasions, our finishing let us down. And as we attacked, they moved into the midfield and took over the middle of the park to stifle our moves. Often our player on the ball was surrounded by two or three of theirs - it was the old cliché “who wants it most”. The game got more physical too, and discipline was lacking at times, with a yellow card to our side and two to theirs. We suffered too from lack of fresh legs - they were able to put three subs on in the second half, while we’d had to use our only one early on to cover injury. 

We were creating chances though, several shots going just wide after strikers had been put into space - and our wide midfielders, Kourosh and Liam were both getting down to the byline to flick the ball across goal. From one move, they just managed to somehow keep out what would have been a deserved equaliser as Freddie tried to back heel it in after pinball in the box from a resulting corner. Good to see our midfielders scoring goals, but it is also telling that our only successful efforts came from our wide men. Five minutes from time, they got a fourth to make it safe. Conceding soft goals and lacking punch upfront is costing us too many matches. 

Roundshaw routed
Roundshaw Colts 0-9 Kew Association Casuals, 18 Oct, League
We knew from results against other teams, that Roundshaw were by some margin the weakest team in the league, but we also mustn’t be complacent. Last season in the away fixture we’d played exuberant football to lead 3-0 after 15 minutes but then rather cruised through the rest of the game, even conceding a goal. After early skirmishes, it was good to get the first goal on the sheet within five minutes, after Conagh was put through. Good to see that we were able to take advantage of set pieces, a number of our goals coming from attacking the balls at corners. Tom Edney made it 2-0 with a header from a Liam corner after 15 minutes, then 3 minutes later, Freddie scored probably the best goal of the game, as he collected a pass from Conagh, turned and shot from the edge of the area. About five minutes from the break, Freddie scored again, with a pinpoint free kick from 30 metres beating their keeper; and the half ended with Ashley getting his first goal for Kew, as he leapt to head down Freddie’s corner into the net. 5-0 at the break.

The second half was about trying to keep a lid on, keeping defence tight, getting the midfield in shape and playing football, without everyone getting carried away and running off to try to score a goal.  But that didn’t mean we weren’t looking for more goals. Ciaran, coming off the bench at half time was certainly looking to get his name on the scoresheet, which he did less than 10 minutes into the half, getting past his marker and then beating the keeper with ease. Ashley had a taste for it and again got on the end of a Freddie corner to make it 0-7. We rather went quiet for a while then, as Roundshaw looked for a consolation, but the defence was solid, well backed by the midfield, with Ollie a safe pair of hands at the back and a deserved second clean sheet of the season (you wait for 18 months, then two come along in 3 weeks). Another goal came from good backing up by Liam who’d moved to centre mid, as he stayed cool to put the shot past the keeper after Freddie put him through. Freddie again providing the assist for our last goal, a pass back to Ciaran who made no mistake.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have enought time to get to double figures, amidst a few missed opportunities where the player with the ball was over-eager to strike when team mates were in a better position, or the finish was lacking. A big welcome to James McCarthy who looked the business in centre midfield, forming a good central partnership with Tom Edney before Tom retired at half time so as not to aggravate an ankle niggle. James provided a presence we’ve sometimes lacked in the centre and we look forward to him playing a more pivotal role as he integrates with the team.  He’s got goals in him too by the looks of it, Freddie’s direct free kick just eluding his head, and a second half strike bringing one of the best saves from their keeper. Out wide, we built from the back, with both Ant and Matt bringing the ball out of our half, linking up with the wide midfielders, through half time changes. Tom Morey always looked dangerous down the right and had one 40 metre shot that just went wide. Rob as usual worked from box to box, defending one moment, then getting an attack underway.  James again was solid at centre back and got his head on every ball that came his way, sending it back with interest.  A good team performance, which puts us back on track with harder matches ahead. 

Opportunities overlooked
Kew Association Casuals 1-2 Walton Heath Youth, 11 Oct, League
This was always going to be tough. We knew from our 4-1 defeat in a pre-season friendly that this Walton Heath side was improved on last year’s team where we’d won two and drawn one. And so it proved to be. It was an even contest all the way through, where the result could have gone either way. Kew started the better, moving the ball comfortably out of defence down the wings as both sides sized each other up. But it was against the run of play that the early chances came Walton’s way when they got past our defence... two fine blocks by Ollie in goal, firstly going out to meet their striker, doing enough for him to put him off, making him send his shot wide, then sliding out to grab the ball from the feet of the attacker. Later, it was the turn of their goalie to narrow the angle, as twice Ciaran was put into space one-on-one with the keeper, for the ball to go tantilisingly just wide of the post. But we deservedly took the lead just before half time. A pinpoint corner from Liam into the box, headed away from the keeper by Freddie to score his first of the season.

A warning from the manager that they’d come out fired up in the second half didn’t seem to sink in as within 10 minutes Walton Heath had equalised. A suggestion of a push on James before the goal was fired in, but it had been coming for a while. Walton kept attacking, Ollie parried away a bullet of a long range shot over the bar. Then with an injury to our sub Adrian, they took advantage of the extra man. Ollie saved the shot, but they were there first to follow it in, to take a 2-1 lead. The last 20 minutes was all about us trying to get back into the game, it was hard, physical, but some lovely passing and moving football. Injuries took their toll - Tom Nutley who’d replaced Adrian, also had to go off as he went over awkwardly on his knee, so we had the extraordinary situation of the using all three subs, but the latter two replacing their colleague off the bench.  Cedo made a welcome return from injury and locked up his side, as well as bringing the ball forward. Matt Gates, at right back, also looked comfortable with the ball at feet, even getting a shot on goal. A great debut for Matt, most impressive when reading the flight of the ball to make sure he got there first and then immediately seeking the attacking opportunity. 

Late on, we were swarming all over their goal. James hit the crossbar, Conagh blasted just wide. But Walton Heath too were quick to the counterattack as they looked to make the game safe. Twice more they had the ball in the back of our net, once from a blatant offside, the other a hand ball spotted by the linesman. Perhaps a fair result in the end, but if it had gone the other way, no-one could have argued. A good quality football match, perhaps the best we’ve played when faced with a competitive opponent. We’ve just got to become more ruthless at taking our opportunities to score.   

Baz’s birthday bonanza
Kew Association Casuals 3-0 Caterham Pumas, 4 Oct, League
This was a familiar fixture, our fifth against a side we’ve always managed to beat. But they, like many in our division, have strengthened their squad and this season have recorded some close results. Meantime, we’ve been on the wrong end of a couple of pummelings. And they had a full 14 players available, while at kick-off, we had just 11. On the up side, we were expecting great things of our two new signings, Adrian and Ashley, whom we were confident would shore up our back four. So a clean sheet was our top priority but where were the goals going to come from, with our season’s goal scorers all absent at kick-off? It turned out we needn’t have worried. Our debut players were a revelation and gave confidence to the whole side to play stylish football.

The first half was a tough competitive affair with both sides playing attractive football as they tried to break down the other. Our defence soaked up their attacks with our new boys standing out. Adrian dealt with everything coming down the right, while Ashley at centre back was immense. Whether heading back a long ball, sweeping up the through balls, tackling the strikers, being in the right position and organising the back four. It inspired the rest of the defence, Tom Nutley getting back to his best, Tom Edney another excellent utility game, this time at left back.  And most crucially, it gave the whole team the confidence to play football. Having dealt with the early pressure, we began to get more assertive. Bharat - Baz - had some stunning strikes on goal, one a chip just going over the top, another into the side netting from out wide, and then hitting the post. Ollie had some work to do down the other end, getting his body behind the shots, moving quickly through his area, but generally we were making their keeper work harder. Liam too got in on the action, sending in centres and getting a shot in. But inevitably, it was Baz who got the goal to give us a 1-0 half time lead.

The confidence was there, but still I was concerned. They had three subs to use and we’d not be able to make any more changes. We’d lost Rob to injury before half time, which necessitated a midfield shuffle. Kourosh coming on, went to right mid, while Tom Morey took Rob’s place at the centre.  And they both had blinders in the second half. Tom worked as hard as we’ve seen him, breaking up Caterham’s attacks through the middle, and immediately looking for a countermove out wide.  Kourosh was one of those recipients and he too linked up well with Adrian down the right. In fact it was Kourosh who made our other two goals, firstly a run down to the byline then crossing it across goal, for who to pop up on the far post but Baz. Then our third goal, this time a through ball from Kourosh, for Conagh to run on and put it into the back of the net for his long-awaited first goal of the season. We pressed for more but with Baz injured and the midfield tiring - thankfully Freddie kept it going - we managed to slow it down, keep the ball and concentrate on keeping that clean sheet - our first for 19 months! Let’s make sure we don’t have to wait that long again!!

Back to the future
Merstham Youth B 5-0 Kew Association Casuals, 27 Sep, League
We were the first opponents for a new team in the league, but given that their A team was undefeated in the premier division, we didn’t expect an easy game. It all started fairly evenly, with both sides making tentative forays into the other’s half and the teams looking evenly matched. But it all changed in the space of a couple of minutes as they scored two quick goals to leave us 2-0 down with a quarter of an hour gone. They certainly proved quick learners as they were identical strikes - with our midfield drawn too far forward in support, they exploited the gap in the middle to tee up their strikers, catching our defenders flat footed. Another two similar goals followed after 25 and 35 minutes to leave us 4-0 down and the floodgates threatening to open. Kourosh repositioned into the centre of defence, which shored things up until half time.

Second half, a much better performance, although we did concede another goal, while failing to score ourselves. But the sides looked better matched, in fact we had two-thirds of the possession and the territory, but just couldn’t make it count. Again, Kourosh was the best player on display, his runs up the left, teaming up with Freddie and Ciaran, providing the biggest danger. Unfortunately though, with Ciaran taken on a playmaker role, we didn’t have the quality in the box, as several good chances were squandered by poor shooting. Defence-wise, the midfield was better shaped with Rob showing the stamina others need as he ran himself ragged from goalmouth to goalmouth. At the back, James was authoritative in central defence, supported by Tom Nutley, showing signs of a return to form. Ollie too was quicker off his line, to block runs on goal, and got a diving finger to their only second half goal, inevitably coming from a counter-attack. But still much work to do if we’re to turn this season from our worst start in three years. 

Ciaran tips the scales
Kew Association Casuals 4-3 St Helier Youth, 20 Sep, League
We found ourselves a goal scoring hero and perhaps a famous new upfront partnership. Our own C & C, Ciaran and Conagh, hopefully to rival Blackburn’s famous S & S, Shearer and Sutton. A second half hat trick for Ciaran with Conagh providing two assists to set up the goals. We’d gone into this game somewhat concerned, playing a slightly strengthened St Heliers side, and still with the memory of the 5-3 defeat last January, which had effectively put us out of contention for the league title. To make matters worse, 10 minutes before kick-off we had only 11 fit players, so stern words were said after about sorting out transport arrangements.

However, once the game began, our fears dissipated somewhat, as not only did we match them but were creating more chances in front of their goal than they were with ours; although Ollie did pull off a couple of fine saves in the first half, getting his body well behind the ball. Our new defensive partnership, with James dropping back into sweeper worked really well; in fact it was a man-of- the-match performance by James who not only contributed much to the defensive effort but as importantly, organised the back four. So it was against the run of play that they opened the scoring after a handball in the penalty area. Ollie went the right way but the strike was just wide. But it was a deserved equaliser just before half time, a superb corner from Liam to put it on the head of James, who aimed it away from the goal keeper for 1-1 at half time.

Ciaran came on after the break, partnering Conagh up front as Bharat moved to right mid. From his first touch, you could see that Ciaran was going to pose a threat. And as Conagh and Bharat had already run their back four ragged in the first half, they had little answer when we started to peel them apart. First goal from Ciaran, a lovely through ball from Conagh, which he took around the keeper to tuck away clincally. Then another, hit with venom, down off the crossbar to take us to 3-1.  Then, instead of calming things down, and keeping the ball, we let them come at us and in one of the the few defensive lapses, they almost immediately reduced the deficit back to a single goal, from a cross, which left Ollie three on one as our defence were caught upfield.   No worries though as Freddie got the ball in midfield, beating a couple players to pass through to Conagh, who again fed Ciaran to complete his hat trick. But credit to St Helier, they weren’t done. They continued to soak up the pressure and try to hit us on the break and were rewarded with a third goal, as a long ball over the top beat the defence and the striker coolly chipped the keeper as he came out to close down the shot. That made for a nervous last 8 minutes, but we came through for our first win of the season, although we allowed it to be a closer result than it should have been.

Our conquerers last week Epsom are in danger of getting dizzy - after a disappointing first season, they’re now top of the table. New side Perrywood are the other pacesetters with two big wins, their latest against the strengthened Walton Heath who beat us for the first time in our pre-season friendly, so some tough matches ahead.

Out run by Athletic
Epsom Athletic 5-1 Kew Association Casuals, 13 Sep, League
What a shock awaited us at the start of the new season. On paper it looked straightforward. From our third place finish last season, our opener was against the team that ended second bottom. And we started well, passing the ball sweetly, making opportunities, getting behind their defence. Liam, James and the other midfielders were providing good service to the strikers, especially Bharat, who was terrifying their defenders with his pace. But the finish was lacking from everyone and 30 minutes had passed before we even tested their goalkeeper. And it took a fantastic header to keep out Conagh’s goal-bound shot after the keeper was beaten.  Meantime our own defence was proving fragile.  Three times they hit us on the break and we were caught flat. The same pattern each time, as they put the ball through for their strikers to run onto, out sprinting the cover. The last two goals were sucker punches, scored in the last five minutes before the break, for Epsom to lead 3-0 lead at half time.

We started the second half brightly, much as we had the first, and were rewarded with a goal from the hard-working Kourosh, which went in off the keeper on the near post... to take it back to 3-1 and hopefully bring us back into the game. Defensively, it was still tough, and although we’d coped with a barrage of set pieces, somehow clearing many corners, free kicks and long throws, in the end it was from the latter that they headed their fourth.  A 5th came once again from a ball getting past the back four, allowing the attacker to lob keeper Oliver. In between he had a couple of fine saves, diving to the left to push the ball around the post and tipping one over at point blank. The defence looked more solid when James moved back from mid-field, providing extra pace and organisation. It’s going to have to be a rebuilding exercise, with two of last season’s three central defenders dropping out, but we’ll have to come up to speed quickly.