Defensive dynamos deserve draw
Roundshaw Colts 0- 0 Kew Association Casuals, 20 Mar, League
A close encounter was expected and after all the goal we’d shipped last week and in our earlier Plate tie against Roundshaw, a high scoring affair was also likely. But it turned out not to be that way. A scrappy beginning saw neither side getting on top as possession switched and forays into each other’s halves were quickly snuffed out. A warning for us on 20 minutes, when two of their forwards got past our defenders in the goal box, Ollie blocking the shot. Unlike last week, when we were let down by poor defending, we got the message. And we needed to be solid as for the rest of the half, Roundshaw piled on the pressure, winning set piece after set piece, from free kicks and corners. We hardly had much of a look in their half, but some good, if not at times desperate, defence kept them at bay. It was almost like we’d learned from Byfleet the previous week, crowding our box when they were on attack. Our few opportunities to get forward always seemed to bring out the linesman’s flag.

We started the better in the second half, a couple of times Ali getting down his wing and whipping it in, but their two centre back especially remained difficult to get past. Still in the second half we made more of the play, but the game ebbed and flowed between each half as they also looked to get forward. Conagh’s fresh legs gave us a bit more impetus in attack and we looked to put balls ahead of our attackers. From one move, interplay between Yousif and Dinarte, the latter had a shot just go wide. The hardest workers were our defenders. Tom Edney, made an impressive return to the side after several weeks out, breaking up their moves and looking to make space to get the ball forward. Both Kourosh, who started as sweeper, then moved to left back to give the counter attack a bit more thrust and Harry on the right, with excellent ball control, were also kept busy defending. Harry and Tom Nutley developed a good understanding defending together and no-one worked harder than Tom, bustling their attackers, getting his body in the way. But for two excellent saves, one with just 10 minutes to play, Ollie earned our clean sheet and the Man of the Match.

In spite of all the defending, we even had a chance to nick it near the end, when, for once, one of their centre backs made and error, allowing Lloyd a shot past the advancing keeper, but it went wide. All in all, a satisfactory result. It would have been good to have got all three points, but that would have been as harsh on our opponents as it would to us if they’d won by a single goal. 

Defensive dips ruin run-in
Kew Association Casuals 3-4 Byfleet Village Whites, 13 March, League
This was supposed to be the beginning of the end of our season after last week’s exit from the Cup. We’d had several close contests with Byfleet in recent seasons, for a win apiece and a draw. In the end it was an extremely disappointing loss from a game we largely dominated. Essentially we lost, because we tried too hard to win. If we’d been content to secure the draw, we probably would have done so.

Kew opened the scoring on five minutes, with an exquisite goal from Lloyd. Taking a pass, just outside the penalty box, he slipped the ball away from the defender to make himself space, then shot confidently past the keeper. If there was any danger of complacency, it was quickly wiped away. In spite of orders to keep it wide, one of our midfielders passed the ball infield just outside the penalty box, only to find one of their players, who set up the striker for the equaliser. They might have scored again after 18 minutes, when from a corner, Ollie tipped it onto the bar and despite appeals from the attacking side, guest lino Ross was absolutely clear the ball hadn’t crossed the line.

Byfleet, who had no subs, also suffered a potential setback, when one of their defenders was injured. But it proved a blessing in disguise as the player went into goal, almost immediately pulling off a couple of stunning saves, including a sharp shot from Ali, and was probably Byfleet’s man of the match. Kew stayed in charge for most of the rest of the first half, but indiscipline was also creeping in. Several of our players felt they were not getting enough protection from the referee when pushed off the ball. Rather than let the feet do the talking, there was too much mouthing off. And when we gave away a foul, just inside our half, they were able to score again after sloppy defending. As the freekick came into the box, one of our defenders swung his foot only to miss, allowing the ball in behind the line for Byfleet to take a 2-1 lead with five minutes to go to half time. That didn’t last long though as Kew finally made their dominance count. A terrific cross from Ali found Lloyd who headed past the keeper to bring us back on even terms at half time. Lloyd earns Man of the Match for two well-taken goals.

Our opponents came out much stronger and tried to take the game to us. 10 minutes into the half a shot flew just wide. Another defensive mistake allowed them to retake the lead, when one of our defenders tried to beat theirs in the box to avoid conceding a corner, but was dispossessed for Byfleet to score. But with half an hour to go there was still plenty of time to get something out of the game. It was wave after wave of attacks from Kew, as for most of the remainder of the match, we were camped in their half. Denarte crashed between two of their players into the box and was about to pull the trigger when the ref ruled, wrongly I think, that he’d fouled their defenders. Unfortunately, his back chat earned a yellow card. On 33 minutes, Conagh had a shoot saved by the keeper. 

Then a warning. They broke back upfield and were only stopped from scoring by Ollie coming out to block the shot. This was the contrast. We were applying all the pressure, and they responded by packing the box. But we were wide open at the back. It took a special move to create the space to score. It came with 10 minutes to go from a throw just inside their half. Kourosh took it to feet, beat his marker and put through a perfectly weighted 30 metre pass for Yousif to run onto and hit perfectly into the back of the net. More indiscipline: a removed shirt prompting the ref to issue another yellow card. Then the sucker punch. As we pressed for the win, a route one kick, one big striker against two of our defenders who practically crashed into each other as they missed it on the full and then on the bounce. Ollie coming out but then realising he was out of his area, trying to push it away with his body, an almost slow motion shot and agony.

A very cruel (Cup) draw
Guildford City 8- 1 Kew Association Casuals, 6 Mar, League Plate semi-final
We knew that this would be an uphill battle. Our opponents are leading the premier division, 16 places above us. In fact, it was an upset by our Colts side which expectedly dumped Guildford into the Plate competition. Nevertheless, coach Danny had reminded us at training that it is 11 v 11 on the day and assistant manager Gary called on the boys to leave nothing on the pitch by the end of the game.

We started well and for the first 15 minutes were making the top premiership side look very ordinary. Most of the territory, possession and attacking was being enjoyed by Kew. But we weren’t getting any shots in to finish off those promising moves.  They were occasionally hitting us on the break which was sending our defence scrambling. In a hint of what was to come, Ollie was called on to pull off a smart block when a cross found an unmarked player on the far post. And that’s how their three first half goals all came. The first a block from Ollie, could only be deflected into the path of a player who ran into the box unchallenged to score. The next two came from simple passes to unmarked players in the box. 3-0 at half time.

Early on in the second half, we had a chance to come back into it. On 12 minutes, Dan bustled into the box, beating the defenders but couldn’t get a clean shot in and it ballooned over the bar. That was about the last of our attacking opportunities, as almost straightaway after that, they went up field and scored a quick couple of goals to put the tie beyond doubt. After that it was like trying to stop a tidal wave and it gave us some credit that in the last half hour, as they relentlessly took us apart, they only managed to add two more goals, before we got a consolation three minutes from time. Sub Lloyd showed excellent composure to get between two defenders and shoot past their keeper. But even then, they had time to get an eighth amid shambolic defending.

We allowed heads to go down. Maybe conceding five or six would have been palatable but it was disappointing that we couldn’t hold the line. Ollie made some good saves, a smart one to push the ball onto the post late in the second half, but he concedes he should have done better with a couple of others and pretty well everyone else could probably admit the same. Defenders had to work hard but too often Guildford players were left unmarked in or near the box. When the midfield were competing, at the beginning of each half, we were in the game; when they conceded that battle, our opponents ran riot. Yousif worked hard and posed a threat, Kourosh as usual our best tackler, Max and Harry both tried to turn defence into attack down the flanks when they could. Lloyd had just a short time on the pitch, but from just two or three chances, scored a very good goal. Conagh too had a shot on goal, but for his general play and never giving up trying to take the game to Guildford, he’s this week’s Man of the Match.

I’m less than impressed with our opponents, who treated us with total disrespect. We earned the right to be there and in fact only exited the Cup competition on a penalty shoot-out, which is more than can be said for Guildford, beaten in normal time. As likely premiership winners and defending Cup champions, they had no right to be triumphalist about giving a division one team a pasting in the second tier Plate competition for first round losers.

But at the end of the day, there are more important matters to consider. Our thoughts are with Rob, who after leaving the field injured in the first half, later had to be admitted to hospital. We wish him a speedy recovery.

Sheer dominance
Kew Association Casuals 4-0 Sheerwater, 27 Feb, League
After last week’s comfortable win against Sheerwater, avoiding complacency was going to be the first challenge as we immediately played them in the reverse fixture. However, it was clear from checking the cards before kickoff that they had a few regular players back and it proved to be an improved performance from our visitors.

Nevertheless, from the start, Kew dominated. The degree of that early domination is illustrated by the fact that stand-in goalkeeper Max had NO touches of the ball in the first half. Most of the first spell was spent in the Sheerwater half. We kept the ball as much as possible, passing around and looking for opportunities. An early strike by Tom Hinkley just went wide of the post; moments later he was through on goal again, only to be brought back by the ref for off-side, despite no flag being raised. Offside again denied us when Conagh put the ball in the back of the net. Finally, after 17 minutes, Kew got the goal that had been coming. A through ball by Kourosh split the Sheerwater defence, for Jay to run on to and shoot past the keeper. We continued to play passing football, getting the ball wide. But the next goal came from the middle, as Josh, finding himself in space in front of goal, struck a beautiful shot from 30 metres to double the score.  The wingers got their reward just before half time. Kourosh and Conagh on one side, Harry and Dinarte on the other, had terrorised the defenders. A special mention of Harry, who is still coming back from injury. He was full of running, looking for overlaps, communicating with those around him. That effort was rewarded as they combined for Dinarte to get into the box and beat the keeper, scoring his third in three games for us, to make it 3-0 at half time.

We hoped to go on from there to post a better score than last week, when we’d lost our shape in the second half and stopped playing as a team. But credit to Sheerwater as they manage to deny us and allow only one goal more to be added. They too managed to get forward and Max was called on early on to make a smart save and was in action a lot more. But with less than five minutes gone, the floodgates had threatened to open. The always lively Tom Hinkley rattled the crossbar, the closest he came to scoring – twice he blasted just wide and twice had the ball in the back of the net, only to be ruled offside. Sheerwater nearly got one back on 15 minutes, Kourosh kicking off the back post after a corner wasn’t cleared. Other than that, our defenders weren’t greatly troubled, but dealt effectively with any threat. Tom Nutley and Rob were both strong in the air and looked to defend upfield and get the counter-attacks underway. Tom Edney, returning after a few weeks out, was quickly up to pace, looking to make short passing moves and even getting a long range effort on target, forcing a save from the keeper. And welcome back to George. Along with Josh, he helped Kew’s dominance in the middle of the park. He too got in a shot in that just went wide.

After a few attacks from the visitors, Kew again asserted control but couldn’t break down the more determined Sheerwater display in defence. The most eye-catching attempt came from Lloyd. When a corner dropped at his feet, he neatly turned and put it past the keeper, only for the effort to be ruled offside – otherwise one of the goals of the season. Finally our efforts were rewarded with five minutes to play, when from another sumptuous passing move, Josh popped up on the far post to tap in the cross for 4-0. A second goal and a fitting reward for a player who got everywhere, in defence or attack, always looking for an opening to exploit. That’s five unbeaten on the trot as we next face premier division leaders, Guildford City, in the Plate semi-final.

Easy does it
Sheerwater 0-5 Kew Association Casuals, 20 Feb, League
At last we’re starting to put a winning sequence together and just at the right time as we prepare for the Plate semi-final in two weeks time. It was definitely a match we expected to win, against the bottom side in the league for most of the season, but we’d been down there ourselves so took nothing for granted. We started in exhilarating fashion, passing the ball around and subjecting Sheerwater to wave after wave of attack - they hardly got out of their own half. Nearly a dramatic start, as with less than 5 minutes gone, Jay burst through and laid it off for Lloyd but he was just wide. Too often after that, the wrong option was chosen, the shot when there should have been a pass, failing to capitalise on an excellent build up.

However, a goal was was coming and predictably from a wide move. Ali crossed it in, touched on by a couple of players before Dinarte got a shot. One of their players tried to block but only succeeded in spiralling it over the sprawling reach of the goalie. But still we weren’t settled and from a corner, Sheerwater nearly equalised, Rob clearing with a header off the line. After that, we took control of the half adding two more deserved goals. On 33 minutes, Kourosh got right down to the byline to cross perfectly for Conagh to tap in, a just reward for his efforts. Then five minutes before the break, Jay again supplier for Lloyd, putting him through one-on-one with the keeper where he calmly shot passed him, for a 3-0 lead at half time.

Sheerwater came out tougher and competed more strongly for the ball, turning the game into a scrappy affair. It took nearly halfway through the half before we were able to start playing football again. Jay, who’d been unfortunate not to get a penalty when he was brought down in the box, eventually got the goal he deserved, when he neatly lobbed the keeper to see the ball drop in the back of the net. After that, we kept attacking and on 77 minutes, Lloyd score his second as he refused to give up and when the keeper could only parry it into him, it came off his chest for our 5th.

Time still for them to threaten to spoil our day with a late consolation. With our defenders caught upfield, Ollie was called on for virtually the only time in the day, and got a diving fingertip to turn the ball around the post, before some pretty stern words with the defence about preserving the first clean sheet of the season. Also our biggest win, although we probably should have scored more. But excellent displays all round. Our back four, almost makeshift a few weeks’ ago, continues to improve. Rob got to everything and even had time to make a run up the field into their goal box, but lacked the energy to lash it home. Tom Nutley another excellent game dispossessing their attackers, and, Harry, before he came off early so as not to aggravate his injury, had an eye-catching game, looking to run with ball at feet and exchange passes on the overlap. Max too, ran a good line (though he described it as boring) and made an impact in both defence and counter attack once he was on the field. 

Josh again worked tirelessly across the field to break up their attacks and get the ball out wide. Ali and Conagh both worked their respective wings and combined well with the forwards. Dinarte was at the heart of everything, organising, competing hard, looking to get forward and scored the opener. After several near misses in recent weeks, Lloyd finally got the goals that have been coming. Jay worked well off him and was instrumental in setting up several goals as well as scoring himself. Man of the Match goes to Kourosh, whether defending deep or bringing the ball up in attack and his general all round leadership which motivated our performance.

Proper goals on a perfect pitch
Kew Association Casuals 3-1 Worplesdon, 13 Feb, League
Amazingly our first home league game since mid-November. With all the postponed games to get through, we got straight on the ball with our return match against Worplesdon, which was put off by last week’s Plate tie. This was our first chance to do the double over any team in the league, but we knew it would be tough. In a rain and windswept late October, we’d ground out a 2-1 victory on a pitch more suited for rugby. This time, we’d have the more football friendly surroundings of our clubhouse pitch, which should suit our passing game. But Worplesden too had expectations, having just thumped Perrywood 5-1 while we were on Plate duty.

As these things go, it started off fairly scrappily and then it was end to end stuff, as first one team, then the other probed each other’s defence. We were already gaining in confidence however, with several runs down the line before pulling it across. Ali came close as he whipped one in - was it a shot or a cross - didn’t matter in the end as it just went wide and no-one was up quick enough to get on the end of it.  Yousif, as usual was a constant threat. But, as in our earlier game, they scored first. On 30 minutes, one of their strongest players took the ball down the wing to the goal line, beat two of our defenders and crossed for a one metre tap in.

But heads didn’t go down and with three minutes to half time, new recruit, Dinarte put a pass down the right wing for Felix to chase. He beat the defender and whipped the ball across for the ever-reliable Tom Hinkley to thump it in, leaving the keeper no chance. 1-1 at half time but it nearly could have been so different. Right on half time, they were awarded a corner and just after the whistle had gone, it flew off the head of Ali into the net. Lucky for us and even more lucky for Ali, although he tried to convince us afterwards he did it on purpose because he knew the whistle had gone. It’s happened before though, famously in the 1978 World Cup, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBnR79LmhaI, when English referee, Clive Thomas, was in charge.

As so often happens early in the second half, we let the opposition come at us. Seven minutes in, their striker was through on goal for Ollie to make a terrific save from a point blank shot hit with some venom, that was to draw applause from both sets of supporters on the touch line. That proved to be a turning point, along with our substitutions a couple of minutes or so later. Thereafter, it was their keeper who was called on to perform the heroics. Our fresh legs in Conagh and Jay quickly boosted our attacker and Dinarte joined the frontline as we switched to 4-3-3, although at times it looked like 4-1-5. Credit there to a Man of the Match effort from Josh, who defying his size, dominated the centre of the park, winning everything and sending passes to each side or perfectly placed through the middle and also beat them time after time in the air to head the ball clear.

On 20 minutes, their keeper somehow denied a shot from Tom Hinkley which looked a certain winner. Jay got through their defence but the keeper was out too quick for him, but with just 10 minutes to go, when Conagh put through the ball this time Jay hit it perfectly to beat the keeper and we at last had the lead we deserved. We were not to be denied after that and wave upon wave of attack pushed forward. The odd counterattack was dealt with comfortably by Rob and Tom Nutley, with Josh now sitting in the hole in support. Max and Kourosh worked their way up and down supporting the midfielders. And growing in confidence we were making short passing moves, feinting here and there trying to create openings to get the goal that would make the game safe. Ali and Conagh brought the ball up the flanks, supported by the fullbacks and Dinarte, who gave the centre an extra strength we’d been lacking.

In the end, we made the game safe five minutes from time with a set piece. A low corner from Ali was brilliantly, sensationally headed from the near side beyond the keeper by Dinarte, a goal worth the price of admission at any level. A true team performance.  The most disappointed man to hear the score - the manager of Sheerwater, who we play back-to-back over the next two weeks!

Blowing in the Wind
Roundshaw Colts 2- 2 (aet) Kew Association Casuals, 6 Feb, League Plate, Kew win 4-5 on penalties
After four seasons of trying, Kew Casuals finally make their way into the latter stages of a League Cup competition, albeit, in this instance the Surrey Primary League Plate. And what a nailbiting way to do it, extra time then the lottery of penalties. Although our players didn’t let it become a lottery. After the debacle in the Cup when we only managed one penalty in the shootout, this time there was no mistake. They had the first penalty, which was put wide. After that, everyone was converted, although Ollie got a hand to a couple. But our five penalty takers - Tom H, Conagh, Yousif, Rob and finally Max - were assured to take us through to the semi-finals.

We’d arrived at Roundshaw on a windswept day where it was clear the blustery breeze was going to be a factor. We’d been overrun 4-0 at home in the league back in early October, but on that day we had only 10 men and rather gifted them the final two goals as we tried to get back into it in the last 10 minutes. But despite hopes of 14 players, on the day we had just 12 and after a nasty injury to Harry’s foot, it was quickly reduced to the bare 11. By contrast Roundshaw had a full complement of subs, which made it even more impressive we lasted the whole 90 minutes, then extra time.

First half, we initially made the attacks and a shot from Conagh just went wide. But they increasingly took advantage of the wind to pin us back and eventually went 1-0 up. In fact we were under the cosh for most of the half but got through to the break without conceding again. The second half was our turn with the wind. We resisted the temptation to hoof the ball forward, playing nice passing football, getting wide and crossing it into the box. Lloyd came close on a couple of occasions, just pushing it wide and bringing a fine save from their keeper. However, they had a chance to take the game by the scruff of the neck, when one of their few forays into our half, saw a penalty awarded after one of their players went down in the box - although our lads swore he had fallen over his own feet. He blasted it wide, so we were still in it.  The equaliser came from probably our most influential player on the day, as Yousif hit a sweet strike from 30 metres, leaving the keeper no chance. After that, Kew were making most of the play, but couldn’t get that goal, so it went into extra time.

Instant replay. Wind advantage to Roundshaw and again they were able to get on the scoresheet to make it 2-1. But could they defend it for the second 10 minute spell into the wind. Again Kew controlled the second period. We were working down both wings, with Max and Yousif and Conagh combining on one side, Kourosh and Ali on the other, to get in behind their defence. From a ball whipped in by Ali, it was pinball in the box, before Tom Hinkley lashed in the equaliser. And although Kew pressed, we couldn’t get the winner so it went to penalties, where our story begins. Our reward is a tie against the leading side in the premier division, Guildford City. So we have to repeat the giant killing of our Colts side who dumped them out of the Cup and into the Plate.  

Proverbial game of two halves
Claygate 1-1 Kew Association Casuals, 30 Jan, League
Another close encounter was likely as two draws had been the outcome of our two previous encounters with Claygate. It was goal-less in a pre-season friendly and an exciting 3-3 draw in October, as we had first taken the lead, then had to come from 1-3 down to share the points.  And the game started the same in another way, as two dropped out with illness so we again had only a bare 11.

The strategy of packing the midfield, with Lloyd upfront on his own in a 4-5-1 appeared to pay off, as we completed dominated the middle of the park, bustling them off the ball and turning it into wave after wave of attack. It was almost an unfamiliar pattern, as instead of having to defend a dozen corners, as recently, in the first half, we were mostly on the attack. But we couldn’t get the breakthrough and they were still making the odd dangerous foray into our half. In the end, our pressure told, but the goal came from an unlikely source. Sweeper Rob, who’d come up for a corner, stayed upfield and was in the box to pounce on the opportunity to give us a 1-0 lead. It was no more than we deserved, everyone getting involved in passing the ball around, from the defenders right through. But none was busier than Yousif who seemed to get everywhere and bring every other player into the action. But unfortunately, we were not able to make our advantage count and add to our goal tally.

If we were Over the Moon in the first spell, the second half left us, for a while, feeling Sick As a Parrot, in the case of captain, Kourosh, literally so. They must have got the message about not being bossed around, as when Claygate came out for the second half, they were a far more competitive side. It was their turn to be first to the ball, and get the counter attacks moving and we could hardly string more than a couple of passes together, without them breaking it up. But their goal came from a set piece, a free kick just outside the box, which just crept under the bar, before comically becoming tangled in the net and falling outside the goalline. Had it crossed the line, the referee wasn’t sure, the lino was looking straight into the sun, but the boys on both sides had no doubt. 

For the next 15 minutes, it looked like it could become a repeat of our earlier game and we’d be looking at 3-1 down but this time with little chance of coming back. Twice Ollie had to go one-on-one with their attackers, managing to block the shots with his body. Rob and Tom Nutley, in particular, were desperately defending and then further disaster, as Kourosh had to go off with a stomach complaint. Ali, then Tom Edney did the job filling in at left back and gradually we absorbed the pressure and began to get back into it. With Kourosh coming back on again for the last 10 minutes, we were back at full strength and they were the ones hanging on. But in the end, we started out evenly, by half time we had every chance of all three points, then midway through the first half, we were grateful to not be overrun, so by the final whistle, the points shared seemed a decent outcome.

Casuals avoid being blown away
British Airways 4-1 Kew Association Casuals, 16 Jan, League
The draw has not been kind to us. The back half of the season has started, as did the opening of the league campaign, with games against the top two sides in our division (and we’ve still yet to play the bottom side!) At the very least, we can say we put in an improved performance but to be fair, it’s been much better than that, with competitive efforts against two sides who would not be out of place in the premier division. 

The fact we had a number of walking wounded from the last game, especially in defence, didn’t help. After a wobbly start, that required a couple of smart saves from Ollie, we settled into a passing game, which flowed up and down the pitch. Our defence was coping well and it was only really on the break that we were looking under pressure. Their opener came after our free kick in their half. As they cleared it from the penalty area, a rush upfield, where they caught us short of numbers and put in an unstoppable shot from the edge of the area. But a couple of minutes later, it was all square.  As Rob came up in support of an attack, he was pushed over in the box. Conagh dispatched the spot kick confidently and we were back in it at 1-1. The remainder of the half was fairly even, both sides creating chances. The best, for them required Ollie to dive down low to save a stinging shot. And we very nearly took a lead into half time. In a wonderful move where the ball crossed from one side of the field to the other, Yousif marshalling the attack as he took several touches, it finished with Lloyd’s shot being pushed wide by their keeper.

We had high hopes as we turned, but they were obviously ready to up a gear as they turned with the wind behind them. Within 8 minutes of the restart, they’d scored twice and it was always going to be difficult after that. The first came after Ollie managed to touch a blistering shot onto the bar, but it flew over. Disappointing that from the resultant corner, they managed to scramble one in on the near post, as we’d defended comfortably more than a dozen corners in the first half. The lead gave them confidence and our heads seemed to go down as British Airways played passing football that swept from end to end, a cross finding a free runner in the box to make it 3-1. A few minutes after that, Ollie was again called on to make a spectacular save, but it was looking like we might be overrun.

But credit to the team as slowly but surely, we started to try to play our way back into the game. In spite of my worries about our three defenders - Max, Tom Nutley and Rob - who’d carried injuries into the game - and then by half time, Harry too was in the casualty ward as his determined tackling gained him a souvenir stud mark, but they all made it through the 90 minutes. But it was Jay who limped off with a groin strain, and then Conagh too sustained an injury. They’d both done a fine job keeping us competitive in the middle of the park but the fresh legs of Josh and James also gave us new options.

We continued to try to get something back but with just under 20 minutes to go, they effectively killed it off. Ollie got a hand to the shot and it almost looked like he’d pulled off another fabulous save, but this time it dropped behind the line for 4-1. They went looking for another, but by the end, we were actually looking more likely as we re-established our rhythm. Ali returning from a long time out, at left mid, quickly built a good understanding with left back Harry. And his long range shot near the end flew just over with the keeper beaten.

Overall, hard work for the midfield, our best attacks came out wide, the best moves when fullbacks linked up with the wide men, the attack did their best on the crumbs that came their way and the busiest players were the defenders, Rob probably the pick, always looking to make that extra moment to turn defence into counter-attack. The games should get easier from now on, so let’s get organised. Next up Byfleet - with a win we will move above them in the table. 

Bloodied but unbowed
Westend C 3-1 Kew Association Casuals, 9 Jan, League
Familiar opponents as our first game of the New Year was the reverse league fixture against Westend, who we’d just met in the Cup - earning a respectable draw - but who’d well beaten us in the opening game of the season. With a weakened line-up and on their turf, it suggested an uphill struggle and so it proved.

A sign of things to come as within five minutes, Ollie was called into action to pull off a fine save, getting his fingertips to the ball to push it across goal. But after that, our defence looked more solid and we were giving them as much to think about in a fairly even first half. The breakthrough came after 30 minutes, when a 35 metre shot beat our keeper - was it a shot? was it the breeze? was it a fluke? The ball certainly did something in the air, just dropping in under the bar. But we didn’t give in and 10 minutes later, scored the goal of the game. From a movement started in our own half, it was passed through most of the team, Felix taking it up, feeding Yousif wide, who played in Tom Hinkley, and from his return pass, Yousif put a sweet ball behind the defenders for Jay to calmly collect and beat the keeper, scoring his second goal in his second game for us. 

The momentum was now with us but despite the manager’s pleas to get to half time without conceding, we did exactly that. Poor marking from a throw-in, saw their striker get through our defence and despite Ollie coming out, putting it past him for a 2-1 lead at half time.

After the break, we came back and gave them a pretty even contest. Then a big loss as Tom Nutley in the middle of defence had a recurrence of an old back injury and couldn’t continue. Our makeshift back four got even more so, and worse was to follow. Despite an improved performance after the concession of 3 goals from corners in our last game, having defended more than 20 set pieces, they finally got one through from a corner for a 3-1 lead. We kept up the attack however, even though our defence got even more makeshift after Max, despite stoically trying to continue, had to come off. Nevertheless, we kept pressing and they remained concerned we’d get back into the game right until the final whistle. 

Another excellent game from Kourosh, both marshalling the defence and setting up the counter attacks. Tom Edney, returning after a spell out, had a good game, in which he had to cover several positions as the injury toll grew; likewise Josh who showed determination to get the ball after he came on at half time. Felix, often on his own in the middle of the park, played a decisive role in most of our attacks and Yousif put the frighteners up them every time he had the ball.  Conagh came more into the game as our final attacks were mounted down the right, as Rob switched to right back and James came in at right mid. Up front, our new combination of Tom and Jay showed promise, Tom always looking for the ball and Jay showing good control. 

Corners Curtail Casuals Cup Capers
Kew Association Casuals 4-4 (aet) Westend Colts, 12 Dec, League Cup, Westend win 3-1 on penalties
Probably our best result of the season, to come up against one of the top teams in our division in the opening round of the Cup and not only equal them in scoring, but outplay them for much of the game. After twice being postponed due to the Big Freeze, we arrived to find a frozen pitch, but already softening in the sun. The referee was confident we’d eventually be able to play and we finally kicked off an hour late. On paper, it didn’t look good for Kew. We’d lost 4-1 to the same side in the opening day of the season, they had 3 subs to our one - Tom Hinkley, who was still recovering from an injury and not even sure if he’d risk his ankle if the ground stayed hard. On top of that, we were so short of defenders, we opted to play three across the back, protected by five in midfield, although often they had to cope without that protection.

Nevertheless, we started brightly, playing our passing brand of football to create opportunities. Lloyd got a shoot early on but it went wide. A cross from Yousif exposed their keeper’s shortcomings, several of our players getting feet to the ball in the six yard box as it came back off their players and then the post. However, we were mostly coming under pressure at the other end and after 20 minutes they were suddenly 2-0 up. First from a corner, then practically from the restart, they were able to break down field and beat out defence. But it was credit to our defenders that the score then stayed unchanged until half time and Ollie coped comfortably with several long range shots.

The team kept their heads up, and after the break, we were looking the better side. By midway through the second half, we’d taken the game by the scruff of the neck and looked headed for the next round of the Cup. First goal, a booming drop kick from Ollie, landed in their penalty area, causing panic among their defenders. Tom Hinkley got the touch - off his knee he said - and it went in. As I said earlier, their keeper was looking dodgy, so had suggested a few long range efforts. Yousif did just that, but the keeper seemed to have it covered, only for the ball to slip through his hands into the back of the net. 2-2 and the best was to come. After a passing move from one end of the field to the other, Conagh shot from a tight angle to give us the lead. So lacking in confidence were they by then, that they subbed their goalkeeper. We were all over them and probably should have added a 4th and made the tie safe, but squandered our opportunity. But Westend came back, and from another corner, two of their players were allowed to make a run and the ball was headed home for 3-3.

Even so, we were still confident as we went into extra time. Kew had the better of the first half, which was goal-less, then early in the second period, we took the lead.  Again end to end stuff, we took it wide down the left and when the cross came in, Tom Hinkley was there at the far post to put it away. But with two minutes left, we were again undone at a corner - that was three out of their four goals coming from corners - which took it to penalties.

And what a hash we made of them... the first flew over, the second straight to the keeper, before Yousif put the 3rd away, then our 4th went wide. Meantime, apart from missing their 3rd, Westend took very good penalties, putting them all beyond keeper Ollie, even though he went the right way each time. So we’re out of the Cup, 3-1 on penalties. But the good news is this League also has a Plate competition and we won’t fear any prospective opponents here, so a genuine chance at silverware. But we will need to brush up on our defence at corners and we’ll be practising penalties!

A good result for the rest of the season in the league. This game shows we can fulfil the promise we’ve had all season and compete with any team in this division. Great work by defenders, Tom Nutley, Rob and Max in what for us is a makeshift back three arrangement. They were ably supported by our holding mids, Dan and especially George in the second half. Out wide, Conagh and Yousif were always dangerous and both were rewarded with a goal. Felix worked his socks off to help create scoring positions and Lloyd came more and more into it as the game progressed. And hats off to our super sub and leading scorer, Man of the Match, Tom Hinkley. We’ve really missed his contribution as he’s suffered from injuries most of this season. Let’s hope he’s fit for the New Year. 

Outscored but not outclassed
Kew Association Casuals 2-6 Rowledge, 21 Nov, League
A fairly new-look team took the field for our first home league game in four weeks. We were up against a Rowledge side which had comfortably won their division last season and would not have been out of place in the premier division. But for the first 65 minutes, we matched them and often looked the better side.

It was clear from early on that several of their players oozed quality, in their touch and delivery. It was going to be difficult, especially for the defence, with Rob, selflessly coming in as a makeshift sweeper. Tom Nutley as usual worked tirelessly. Kourosh took on the mantle of captaincy and was an inspirational Man-of-the-match. It was only after he had to leave the field injured, that Rowlege were able to make the game safe.

The first half was very even. After the initial pressure from our visitors, Kew took the game to Rowledge, Kourosh and Yousif in particular combining well down the left side. One cross from the by-line reached Harry in the goalmouth, but the header just sailed over the bar. Newcomer Jay provided lots of movement as striker, supported ably by the hard working Conagh. So, midway through the half, it was against the run of play that they got the opener, as we failed to clear. They could have had a second, but Ollie put his body on the line to stop a point-blank shot.

But we were still pressing forward and twice Jay was brought down in the penalty box. The second time, the ref gave the penalty, and Conagh buried it with authority. The half ended with Kew pressing for a second and, in spite of the obvious quality of our opposition, looking the better side. Max’s goal kicks were landing metronomically on George’s head and he flicked it on to our wide players. Josh was working across the park to break up their attacks and the defence were soaking up their attacks without much trouble. 1-1 at half time.

We remained competitive early in the second spell but we were undone by a combination of events. 15 minutes in, one of their players was allowed to take an unopposed shot from outside the box and although Ollie appeared to have it covered as he went to ground, it hit a rough patch in the goal mouth - which was in appalling condition - to bounce beyond him into the net. Their 3rd came three minutes later, just after he’d pulled off another spectacular save, but after we failed to clear, one of their attackers rifled in an unstoppable shot from out wide. 

With Kourosh going off injured and the team losing its shape, it looked as though the floodgates were about to open and we would get overrun. So it was to the team’s credit that they kept trying to attack when we could. A piece of brilliance from two individuals brought us back into the game. Max sent in a free kick into the box, and Jay backed himself against the keeper, nodding it over him to put us back in contention at 2-3, with about 20 minutes to play. But they were not to be denied and 6 minutes later, after waves of attacks, a man was left unmarked on the far post for an easy tap in, for 4-2. Then it turned from the sublime to the ridiculous. In spite of Kew having only one of three penalty appeals successful, not only did we see the ref point to the spot, but he allowed the kick to be taken before our keeper was ready. They had time to add one more before the end, but we kept pressing and playing football, even though some heads were going down. A tough introduction for our swathe of new players but Jay, Josh, and James, before injury, acquitted themselves well and linked with the team and Max continues to shine. 

Kew lack killer touch in front of goal
Perrywood Sports 3-1 Kew Association Casuals, 7 Nov, League
Once again with a long casualty and absentee list, we struggled to put a bare 11 on the pitch. Probably our biggest loss was in-form goal scorer Tom Hinkley, who suffered a recurrence of his ankle injury late in our previous game - we especially missed his killer touch in front of goal. We knew from last season that this was likely to be a close encounter. Unfortunately, this year’s pitch at Reigate Priory was even worse than last years, which sloped downhill. This one retained the downhill slope but that was side to side; end to end from the centre circle, it was also uphill to both goals!

It started off as a cagey affair as both sides had tentative forays into the other’s halves, but no real threat to either goal. Typically, Kew came unstuck on a set piece, as from a corner, the ball wasn’t cleared and in a goal mouth scramble, they managed to bundle it across the line. Kew kept up the pressure but was unable to get an equaliser before half time.

General agreement that it was a lacklustre first half, where we were playing some nice football, particularly down the wings, but needed more determination contesting the ball. We certainly upped our game in the second half, enjoying nearly three quarters of the possession and territory but couldn’t break them down. In particular, we were dominating the midfield. George deserves a special mention, returning for his first game since September. He was a big presence in the middle of the park, sending excellent passes wide and even getting in a few long range shots himself, which unfortunately sailed over the bar. So it was very much against the run of play that Perrywood doubled their lead, 15 minutes into the half. It was from a quick counter attack, they played it wide and the cross was met by a very classy, and unstoppable, volley.

Still heads did not go down, and we pressed even harder. Yousif, Conagh, Rob and Lloyd all getting shots in but they were either saved, or went wide or over. Finally, from a very well-taken corner from Conagh, Kourosh made the run to flick it into the net. At 2-1, we were very much back in it and it seemed only a matter of time before the equaliser came and then the winner. But it was not to be. Again we got hit on the break, the defence - generally solid - was this time unable to contain the attack to give them a 3-1 lead. By now too, we were suffering through our lack of subs... Max limped through the whole second half, and 30 minutes in, Harry dislocated a finger and had to go off for treatment - though he bravely came back on for the last five minutes. And the team never gave up either, continuing the pressure on Perrywood right to the final whistle. 

Kew’s victory defies heavy conditions
Worplesdon 1-2 Kew Association Casuals, 31 Oct, League
It’s been a long time coming this season, but Kew U18 Casuals finally recorded their first league win of the season. Conditions were pretty dreadful, with much rain dumped on the ground before kickoff and continuing showers during the match. The pitch itself at Stoke Park in Guildford looked more like a rugby ground with lumps of overgrown grass in between patches of mud. So it was a credit to Kew that we tried as much as possible to play a passing game. The Casuals dominated the early stages so it was against the run of play that Worplesdon took the lead on 20 minutes, when a rare slip up by our defence allowed a player free to run on to the ball in the six yard box, and in spite of the attentions of Tom Nutley, their attacker managed to get a point blank strike which left Ollie no chance.

But within short order, we’d not only equalised but taken the lead. A long ball down the touchline from Max, was flicked on by Yousif for Tom Hinkley to beat the defence, taking it into the box and firing it into the net.  Three minutes later, Tom again burst into the penalty box and was taken down by a clumsy challenge leaving no doubt about the penalty. James dispatched in his usual clinical style to give us the lead.

As it turned out, that seven minute flurry was the end of the scoring but not the chances in front of goal. Ollie had to dive to his right to push a fierce shot around the corner, and also caught an aerial threat like a cricketer claiming a catch. Another he plucked out of the air as a defender bore down. However, Worplesdon’s keeper was the busier, although too often his saves were not as difficult as they might have been.

In the second half, although there was no further score, there was plenty of action. By and large Kew looked the better side, but twice Ollie was called on to make himself big and deny their striker a goal scoring opportunity when he’d beaten our defence. Their keeper made a superb save from a rocket from Yousif, who troubled their defence throughout and did everything but score. Felix too didn’t have the luck in front of goal but was always a threat. Out wide, Conagh in the first half and a welcome return from Ali in the second, along with Yousif, kept potent attacks going down the wing, ably assisted by our fullbacks, Max and Kourosh, getting forward. The latter two were also tireless in defence, making pinpoint last minute tackles when called upon. Even more remarkable from Max, considering he’d just come off a nine-hour flight returning from South Africa. James and Tom Nutley again worked well together in the middle of defence.  Welcome to new recruit Lloyd who provided stature in the centre of midfield, while Rob worked tirelessly alongside him. As usual Rob was to be found up with most attacks and then back defending, defying the heavy conditions underfoot right to the end. His distribution too improving with every game, getting our wingers away. Good touches too from both Ali and Yousif bringing the ball under control. Tom Edney came on at just the right time to provide a fresh pair of legs in the middle of the park, working hard to break up their attacks and pushing ours forward.

A terrific team performance and although it would have been nice to have had an extra goal or two to settle the manager’s nerves, a more comfortable win in the end than the scoreline indicated.  

Casuals equal of Royals
Kew Association Casuals 3-3 Claygate Royals, 17 Oct, League
Our second game against Claygate Royals, having shared a 0-0 draw in a preseason friendly, so it was likely to be an even contest. We finally managed to get 11 players on the pitch, but with no subs and some returning from injury it still gave us cause for concern that we’d make it through the match. 

After a fairly even start, it was first blood to Kew after 15 minutes. Claygate got caught upfield and after Harry tackled their attacker, he quickly got the ball on the left to Liam, who sent a super cross field pass for Tom Hinkley to run on to. Tom burst into the penalty and despite the attentions of a defender, managed to fire off a venomous shot which proved too strong for their keeper. Then we just seemed to go to pieces, losing all competitive edge in midfield, and putting our defence under pressure. Ollie save a point blank shot, but we couldn’t keep them out. They streamed forward again, punching gaps in our defence and suddenly, halfway through the first half, Claygate had two goals in two minutes, to lead 2-1. That was the way it stayed until half-time, although we did have a couple of unsuccessful shouts for penalties.

We started the second half more positively, so it was almost against the run of play that Claygate scored a third. A fairly flukey goal but with a good finish, as the ball bobbled up then fell perfectly for their striker to volley it past our keeper. 3-1, would heads go down. Far from it as it turned out. On 20 minutes, our constant pressure was rewarded, as the whole team went up for handball in the box. (Thanks to Andy’s half time advice on how to appeal!). James dispatched it clinically and at 2-3, we were back in the game.

It was mostly Kew after as we bossed the game. Tom Edney got stronger and stronger in the midfield, breaking up their moves and getting ours going. It was another quality goal with just over 10 minutes left to restore parity. Man of the Match Yousif, who’d given their defence all kinds of problems, sent a ball across goal, for Tom Hinkley to arrive on the far post and head it in, to score his second. Kew pressed for the last 10 minutes but couldn’t get the winner. We had some defending to do late on as well, and when the whistle went as one of their players tumbled in the box, was it a penalty, a corner, a goal kick... no the final whistle, 3-3 and a well-earned draw against the 4th placed side 

Comeback Casuals make point
Byfleet Village Whites 1-1 Kew Association Casuals, 10 Oct, League
For the second week running, we had only 10 players available. Anxious not to repeat our mistake of last week, when we were overwhelmed in the last 10 minutes, we set up a conservative game plan, with a back four, two holding midfielders and Conagh as lone striker, with support to come from our wide midfielders, backed up on attack by our fullbacks getting forward.  The intention was to keep the ball as much as possible so we weren’t run ragged by our opponents. It worked well. The pace of Conagh, backed up by Rob and Liam meant Byfleet were reluctant to push defenders forward when on attack, which helped make up for our player shortage.

Byfleet made most of the play early on, but we started to come back into it, especially with attacks down the wings. Our hurriedly registered newcomer, Max Lovric, sent in a long range cross, which Rob got a head on but unfortunately, it went wide.  But Byfleet too were pushing, but thanks to our back four, they were reduced largely to long range efforts which either went wide or were comfortably dealt with by Ollie. Biggest danger in the first half came from a corner, which Tom Edney cleared off the line. Our fullbacks were causing them all sorts of trouble down the flanks, with Harry, who’d switched to the left, combining with Liam, while Max and Rob were overlapping on the right. Another long pass from Max across goal nearly put Liam in, but we turned at half time still scoreless.

Kew started the brighter in the second half. Rob was still causing all sorts of problems when he came forward and had a shot cannon off the bar. Conagh too was beating their defence, and had a shot stopped by the keeper. A short time later, Liam was in the action too, but the shot went over. But our engine room was our two central midfielders. Johnny and Tom broke up most of their attacks before they could get going. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was effective and for the most part, once they gained possession, they tried to get the ball wide or forward.  It reduced Byfleet to long balls and 15 minutes from time a lucky break gave them the lead. As Harry, under pressure went to head the ball clear, it unfortunately came off the back of his head for an own goal, as Ollie got a hand to it but was unable to stop it.

After the previous week’s experience, it wouldn’t have been surprising if heads had gone down, but for the rest of the game, Kew looked the better side. Earlier on, one of their midfielders had been criticising Ollie’s kicking. He was made to pay for his big mouth, when Ollie hoofed one right into their penalty area. Their defence couldn’t deal with it, and Rob brought it under control to put it past the keeper for the equaliser. Ironic really to score from route one, when we’d been playing lovely passing football, but that’s sometimes how it goes. After the goal, there was only one side in it after that as we pressed for the winner but time ran out. Man of the Match - new boy Max.

10 man Kew struggle against new look Roundshaw
Kew Association Casuals 0-4 Roundshaw Colts, 3 Oct, League
Starting with just 10 players against a Roundshaw side we hardly recognised from last season’s easy-beats, looked a difficult proposition. But Kew started playing the better football, passing it around and making gaps. We created two very good opportunities to take the lead, and if we’d done so, it might have been a different outcome. It was almost against the run of play that after 30 minutes, Roundshaw took the lead, hitting us on the break to take advantage of the extra man and take a 1-0 lead into the break.

After half time, they came out rejuvenated and we had to resist wave after wave of attack, some with skill or dogged determination, others with sheer luck as balls flew wide or they failed to make the most of scoring chances. By now we were effectively down to 9 men as an injured Tom Hinkley couldn’t do much more than tie up a defender with his presence on the pitch. And they had a full subs bench, so 14 to call on. So, it was no surprise, when one of their pair of fresh legs, not long on the field, found himself in space just outside the goalbox and put in a fine strike to take the lead to 2-0.

We continued to resist and looked to mount counter attacks of our own. But in the last 10 minutes it went to pieces as some players lost patience in trying to get one back - as players moved into different positions, we lost our shape and inevitably, once we lost the ball, they were able to score two late goals, to end with a 4-0 scoreline, that frankly flattered our opponents. Kew had played the better football throughout, but Roundshaw had been patient and organised and, in the end, their numerical superiority told. On another day with a full squad to call on, the result should be very different.   

High fliers ground Casuals
Kew Association Casuals 1-4 British Airways, 26 Sept, League
It’s been a tough start in our move to the Surrey Primary League, with the league draw pitting us against possibly the two strongest sides in our division. After losing 5-1 in our opener against Westend Colts, we knew we faced a tough ask against British Airways, the rebranded Staines Albion from our Colts last season’s division one. Losing the toss didn’t help either with a huge blustery wind behind them, BA mounted wave after wave of attack. Although under intense pressure, we looked to move the ball forward, particularly down the wings, and were able to enjoy the odd excursion into their final third.

Then British Airways had a shot from just outside the penalty box, on target for the top left hand corner and it looked like they would opening the scoring, only for a stunning save from Ollie, getting a strong hand on it, pushing it on to the post then wide. Applause from players and spectators from both sides for a save that was almost a carbon copy of West Ham keeper Rob Green’s against Spurs which earned him much praise on Match of the Day the previous evening.

In the end, set pieces proved our undoing, with goals from corners 10 minutes either side of half time. Several times already, we’d been troubled at corners and they’d had free headers, so it was almost inevitable one would be on target. But 0-1 at half time was a respectable score line, giving us hope of getting back into the game. However, that goal reinvigorated our opponents who put the pressure back on right from the start. In spite of efforts to better organise our defending at corners, the second goal came from the same source, this time in a scramble after a low ball in.

In between and afterwards, Ollie continued to pull off some sensational saves. First to the right, palming away a shot that took a wicked deflection, then a dive to the left to again push away a shot on target. He got his body in the way as well in several one-on-ones. Desperate defending by our centre backs, James and Tom Nutley who were run ragged to the point of exhaustion by the end of the game. James hooked one shot away from the line and then from the counterattack, we were deservedly on the board. Harry combining with Yousif out wide to get the ball to feet in the six yard box, where Dan was too strong, laying it for Conagh to stick it past the keeper. At 1-2 we were back in it, but sadly, only briefly.

And the elements turned against us. That fierce wind died back to nothing more than a breeze.  So after another of our attacks, British Airways decided to take to the skies and adopt the aerial threat -  from a route one dropkick, their striker was too quick, and as Ollie came out to again close him down, having failed to go through, round or under our keeper, this time sent over a delicate chip, which dropped into the net to restore the two goal margin.

The less said about the final goal the better. An over hasty, undisciplined restart saw the ball pounced on by their player who was able to pass to an unmarked striker to make the game safe at 4-1. And they were eager to score again, but we did manage to hold out for the final five minutes even though heads had not surprisingly fallen.

Looking for positives in glorious defeat… Ollie seems to save his most eye-catching displays for when we’re most under the cosh. As mentioned, James and Tom Nutley worked hard from start to finish, Harry got better and better as the game progressed, both in marking his man and also put some accurate through passes to our attack. Yousif was our most potent threat, causing them all sorts of bother on the right. Conagh worked hard to hold up the ball but too often was isolated upfront, although when the chance was laid on, he took it.  Dan pushed forward when he could and was a handful when he did so. He almost got an early goal which would have given us the lead, when Conagh’s pass put him one-on-one with the keeper, but the shot just flew over. Kourosh at left back was another to catch the eye, working tirelessly up and down the park, defending ferociously but also popping up in the opposition penalty area to make a shot on goal.  Welcome also to Jonny who with Tom Edney anchored the middle in the second half and to Felix whose brief run didn’t really give him a chance to shine. Man of the Match goes to Ollie, without him, they probably would have doubled their score.

Coming up, I’m confident we’ve learned enough to get our season up and running as we play some less challenging teams. So let’s get some points on the board and move towards a positive goal difference.

Westend a dead end for Kew
Kew Association Casuals 1-5 Westend Colts, 12 Sept, League
A lesson in disciplined football as Westend took us apart. We’d made a promising start, making the first shot on goal, with Harry’s effort just wide from a corner. But an initial comfortable defensive effort was undone by lack of midfield marking, as, on 15 minutes, a long throw found a free player who shot from outside the box; it was just wide of goalkeeper Oliver, who could only get a fingertip on it. At this stage though, we were still competing well - Liam had a shot just saved by the keeper and George shot just wide from another corner. But they were still dangerous, looking to break quickly as our attacks were contained. From one such move, they were able to create the extra man to score their second after 25 minutes. 

At half time, we identified some of our problems, the midfield been drawn too far back, fullbacks not marking tight enough, not getting the ball wide. Casuals started the second spell with confidence. A long range free kick from George brought a fine save from their keeper. Then with less than 10 minutes gone, we were back in it. Yousif passing to Harry who set up George to chip their keeper to bring us back to 1-2. However, Westend immediately put the pressure back on and within five minutes, restored the two goal margin. Their dangerous left winger was able to get down to the by-line to pull it across the face of goal for a simple tap-in.

From there on, the luck was against us as well. We’d already lost Kourosh to injury in the first half, so ended up with makeshift fullbacks on both flanks. Then Rob hobbled off with a serious knee injury that’s likely to keep him out for at least a month. And, more bad luck, as an apparently innocuous attack yielded another goal for Westend, as the ball took a deflection into the path of their player; even though he was closely marked, it fell perfectly into his path for him to unleash an unstoppable shot.  In between we had another couple of scoring opportunities, Yousif’s shot just going over, one from Dan saved by the keeper. But just to finish it off, from a corner, a clearing kick from Tom E, rebounded back off George, though I’m not sure in the end if it was an own goal or tapped in by one of their players.

Plenty of room for improvement and we can certainly learn from the way Westend set out their team. They’re clearly going to be one of the sides to beat in this division, and for us, sinking to the bottom of the table, the only way is up.    

Scoreless draw no bore
Kew Association Casuals 0-0 Claygate, 9 Sept, friendly
A satisfactory result in a scrappy but entertaining match between two teams quite evenly matched on the day.

We started with the colossal disadvantage of 8 players, borrowing two from our opponents who were well set with a near full squad of 17 in attendance. After 10 minutes, our Worcester Park contingent, who’d been held up in a traffic jam, took the field so we were up to a bare 11. After a fairly even first 20 minutes, Kew began to look the more dominant team. But the story of the game was our failure to finish promising moves. The most eye-catching chance in the first half, followed one of many runs down the wing by Yousif, who crossed the ball over, for Ali to play back to set up Harry - but unfortunately he was only able to direct into the keeper’s arms.

It was a bad toss to lose as well. Although playing downhill in the first half, we had the low sun in our eyes. Ollie did well to get behind and cleanly take a long-range effort, one of the few saves he was called on to make. As luck would have it, as we turned uphill, the sun went behind the trees so our opponents didn’t have the same problem, although for our side, the slope seemed steeper as legs tired. Fortunately we gained two subs after half time. Scott joined Harry upfront which put extra pressure on Claygate’s defence. And although we kept creating chances, shots went over, wide or too near their keeper, by far the busiest between the sticks. The nearest we came to a goal was when one of their defenders nearly put it into his own net.

The only time we really looked in trouble was when they tried to hit us on the counterattack. But generally our defenders coped well, helped by midfielders tracking back. Otherwise, our shape was good with George looking immense in the centre of the park, ably supported by Rob, in particular, in the first half. Another newcomer Lee, playing at left back, made a useful debut, keeping his side well guarded and making that final clearance when called upon. And another solid contribution from Joe, this time partnered by James, in the centre of the defence.

Slight disappointment at the end that we didn’t manage to win a game we could have taken by 2 or 3 to nil, but equally relief that we didn’t concede, so a clean sheet was the notable achievement in the last of our pre-season friendlies.

A good workout against Athletic
Epsom Athletic 3-2 Kew Association Casuals, 5 Sept, friendly
Kew Casuals took on partly familiar opponents for our second friendly, Epsom Athletic. We’d shared the honours last season in two high-scoring matches, but knew we were up against a strengthened side which has entered the Surrey Youth League, so theoretically at least two divisions above us. The Under 18 Youth side made a solid start to the season with a 5 -2 victory over former Chertsey Town side.

And with 17 players to give a runout including some playing in our colours for the first time, it was a chance to look at prospects under more of a challenge than our previous friendly.  It was an extremely competitive first half, with both sides looking to control the ball and creating opportunties. Epsom did threaten the goal more, especially on the break, but new centre back Joe, alongside Tom Nutley quickly settled and Ollie was equal to the task as he was called on to make a few saves.

One thing we quickly learned was that they were more physical than some of our players were used to and they had to up that side of their game. An example of that, Ali, having been dumped over, got himself up and pulled off a crunching tackle on the same player. Having survived the first onslaught and put together some good passing moves ourselves, it was unfortunate that they took the lead just five minutes before half time. One of our weaknesses continues to be clearing set pieces and it was from a corner, and although Ollie palmed the first shot away, they were able to put the rebound into the net.

Epsom began the second half with a renewed confidence that goal had given them, and after 12 minutes went 2-0 up, again Ollie saving the initial shot, but TWO of their players were too quick for our defence. At that stage, it looked like we might be overrun. We were finding it difficult to penetrate their tall central defence, so half time instruction had been to keep the ball along the ground as they were mopping up the aerial threat. So just 3 minutes later, a peach of a through ball from Scott saw Tom Hinkley do was he does best, beating the defender to put it past the keeper to bring us back into the game.

It remained a hard fought encounter and once again they restored the two goal margin, to lead 3-1. But with 10 minutes to go, we made some changes, switching to 3 up front. The more attacking style paid dividends as new striker, Harry Sullivan got our second, directing the ball from a rebound off the keeper, just crossing the line before the defender could hook it out. We kept pressing and looked more likely when the final whistle went... a loss that felt more like a draw and honours definitely with the lower division side.

A flattering scoreline
Sheerwater 1-4 Kew Association Casuals, 31 Aug, friendly
An uncertain start to our first friendly, which wasn’t surprising given almost half the team were new and several were required to play out of their usual position. However, that disadvantage was nothing compared with our opponents. Last season, they’d finished bottom of the league we were joining and for this match, were only able to get 9 players out, compared to our 13, playing roll-on, roll-off substitutes. Both sides mounted tentative attacks, and although we looked the more likely, they scored first. Their best outfield player, finding himself in space sent a pinpoint shot in from 30 metres, that just dropped behind the bar behind Ollie’s outstretched hands. 

A few minutes later though, we were back in front, from an early contender for Goal of the Season. Rob, filling in at centre back, took the ball on the edge of our penalty box, passed it out, continued his run across half way to receive the return pass, then passing it wide, he ran into their goalbox to be in the perfect place to hit the cross beyond their keeper. In fact Sheerwater’s keeper was keeping them in the game and frustrating our moves, especially outwide, where Yousif and Ali were outpacing our opponents to set up chance after chance. Dan too looked strong in the middle and was able to set up a shot for Tommaso to place it into the goal, for a 2-1 lead at half time.

With our extra players and increasingly jelling as a team, we should have overrun them, especially as they tired. We did add two more goals, one to Ryan, debuting up front, and a second for Tommaso, although my old eyes from half a field away on the sideline though Scott may have got a final touch that deviated it away from the keeper. After that I’m afraid to say, we lost our shape and discipline and started mucking about like a park side, as everyone seemed to want to get on the goalsheet. I hoped you learned something from that as well. High scoring comes through keeping up your teamwork, keep your shape and discipline, not glory hunting.

Man-of-the-match? My carload voted Robert, for his all round play filling in at unaccustomed position of centre back and his sensational goal.