After last weeks wind affected game South were looking to return to winning ways in this local derby. A big crowd saw a very close game in which either side could have emerged with a victory, unfortunatly it was West.

The starting line up saw Connor in goal (standing in for an injured Harvey), Charlie, Sam and Freddie in defense. The midfield consisted of Charlie O, Joe and Jasmin with James and Josh playing the forward midfield rolls. Jamie and Harrison were up front.

The game began well with some good runs by Harrison and Jamie. James showed some good skill early on and South looked the better side. When West did have the ball Sam Freddie and Charlie L were there to make the clearances. Sam was particulalrly strong in this opening period. Connor put the defenders at ease by making some good saves when required.

The opening goal by Joe was spectacular but not against the run of play. The West goalie should not be blamed for failing to stop a powerfull shot from the right side of the box. 1 nil to South.

West came back but further clearances by Joe, Charlie O and good saves by Connor kept them at bay. The pressure told in the end with a long shot that Connor had no chance with. 1-1 at half time was a bit harsh.

The second half started with renewed South pressure. Liam on for Harrison put in a number of dangerous corners and we really should have scored. Eventually the pressure counted and a penalty was fairly awarded for handball. Jordan shot hard to the keepers right to make it 2-1. Cool as a cucumber.

At this point, South were in the lead and with Josh , James and Jamie looking to break at every opportunity things were looking good. Joe was in complete control of the midfield. Unfortunatly failure to clear led to a speculative shot by West and Connor could not be blamed for an equaliser. 2-2.

At this point West seemed to get stronger and South lost shape. Harvey had come on to bolster the midfield and made a series of good clearances but as we dropped deeper West pressure mounted. Their two late goals didnt reflect the balance of play, but thats football.

This was definitely three points dropped but we should not be too disheartened given that for 50 minutes we were the better team.

Joe won man of the match for some great tackling in midfield and a great goal. Special mention should also go to Connor for a really solid goalkeeping display. 

The Bees bounced back from last week’s defeat with a strong performance on a gloriously sunny day in Durnsford Park. This week’s starting line up was Harvey in goal, Charlie L, Inigo and Charlie O in defence, Jordan, Sam, Jamie, James and Josh across the middle and Harrison and Joe up front.

AP had all the early pressure and forced the first break-through when a ball in from the right found Josh arriving from the left and he steered it skilfully into the near corner. AP continued to press, with shots from Harrison and Joe going wide, but ten minutes in Hadley broke quickly through their number 21 and he finished well, slotting the ball low into the corner – 1-1. This then set the pattern for the game; AP with most of the possession and territory and Hadley looking to catch them on the counter attack. And it was Hadley who should have taken the lead after a quarter of an hour when they broke again through the number 21 and Harvey having got down well to parry the shot, could only watch as the incoming striker smacked it against the post from just a few yards.

AP looked solid in defence, with both Charlies and Inigo effectively stifling the Hadley breaks and Jordan and Sam looking strong in holding midfield. And they took the lead a few minutes later when Harrison picked up a Jordan throw just inside the area and, looking up, hit a bending drive into the far top corner. Soon after AP pressure told again, following a slow build up on the right, James’s shot was blocked by the goalie and Joe struck the rebound left footed into the top of the net from the edge of the box. Half time and AP were well worth their 3-1 lead.

Second half and the Bees brought on Connor and Daniel for Joe and Sam. They were immediately on the attack, and with Jamie and James constantly driving forward from mid-field could have had at least three goals in the first quarter, only brave goal keeping and luck stopping them putting the match beyond Hadley; one goal mouth scramble saw four shots blocked from inside the six yard box. But it was twenty minutes before AP scored again when James, running on to a ball over the top from Josh, controlled well and finished in style with a looping shot over the goalie. 4-1 and should have been game over, but two minutes later and Hadley’s hopes were raised when a shot from the left was blocked by Harvey and a Hadley striker was first to the rebound for an easy tap in. Five minutes left and with their tails up, Hadley pushed forward from the restart and won a penalty after a push on the edge of the box. Number 21 stepped up and hit it down the middle, but Harvey was down well and gathered. It finished 4-2 and a good performance, with everyone showing great effort and application. Jordan, who had been outstanding throughout, was player of the match.

AC Finchley North 8              APYFC South 3

After last week’s excellent performance against Edson Youth, AP suffered an early exit from the Challenge Cup away to fellow green league side AC Finchley North. The first half line up was Charlie O, Inigo and Freddie at the back, Sam, Yasmin, Liam, James and Daniel in midfield and Connor and Harrison up front.

The match started brightly with end to end skirmishes on a short looking, but apparently regulation size U11 pitch. Early Finchley pressure won them a corner which was drilled home after AP failed to clear, but two minutes later Sam equalised from a Liam corner with a superb looping header at the near post. Finchley came straight back and only a goal line clearance by Freddie kept the score at 1-1. AP quickly attacked again and from the ensuing corner took the lead with another headed goal, this time by Connor.

Some solid defending by the back three and dogged work in the midfield especially from James and Daniel kept AP ahead for about ten minutes, when another Finchley corner wasn’t cleared and they headed the equaliser. Then seconds before half time Finchley beat the AP offside and ran on to score their third.

The second half saw Jamie come on for Liam, Josh for Harrison and Jordan for Connor. Finchley came out of the blocks with much more drive and determination and within the first minute had added to their lead after a misunderstanding in the AP defence, and having regained possession from the kick off made it five when a number of missed tackles allowed their centre forward to carry the ball all the way through the AP half.

A quarter of an hour into the half and Finchley were up to six when their striker sprang the offside trap, running on to a ball through the middle, and six became seven soon after with another header from a well delivered corner. A few minutes on, Finchley won a free kick just inside their half and with the AP defence pushing up too far, a ball over the top allowed them to run on and score another. AP had a few chances and showed glimpses of their potential. Some quick passes between Freddie, James and Jordan sent Josh away and he finished well for a consolation. But 8-3 was a bit of a beating against a side with whom we can certainly compete. We need to up our fight and our awareness if we’re going to challenge in the league.

Player of the match: Feddie