The game started very slowly as Swifts played very deep and Orient trying to acclimatise to the wide field. They dominated play in the center half as ex Amajita, Graham Opperman, controlled the mid through accurate passing and bee like work rate. Half way through the half Swifts converted a chance after some poor defending. We just keep on giving away silly goals! This is how it stayed till half time.

From the restart we looked more hungry for the ball. Before the 60th mark Craig J replaced Ashley and Justin replaced Wayne, thus dropping Gareth to his more familiar center half role. With Bakker also pushing into midfield more, we applied huge pressure on their defense. We were awarded after some good work by both subs Craig J and Justin, Craig M tapped in after Craig J beat the rushing keeper, game on 1 all. Swifts applied some dirty tactics by targeting our keeper who was already nursing an injury, a knock on the knee basically took him out of contention and by this time he looked more out of like he belonged in the hospital than on the field. We gained the advantage after Bakka  converted a half chance in the small box. It looked like we would take home 3 points.

But with 5min left they received a free kick 30m from our goal, a high ball was whipped into the small box and met with an unchallenged attacker who headed to goals. The result, a very weak goal as the keeper couldn’t even keep on the ball. Game ended 2 all another 2 points dropped. Just looking at the log makes me livid! The last two games could have put us in pole position, Jarre!

Starting line-up included; Noel (gk), Angelo, Assie, Bakka, Borrie (defs), Ramie, Teenage, Nathan (debut) Taariq(mids), Gareth, Craig J(fwd). We started like a house on fire and converted our very first chance within 2 minutes. Taariq got the final touch but it was because of quick closing in the midfield. The dust barely settled and it was Taariq again who converted another chance on the 10min mark. By 15 min we had more chance, more possession and was in total control of the game. The game started slipping away from us as early as the 25 minute as Ramie clearly looked uncomfortable at right half. United converted one of their few chances after we failed to clear the defensive line, 2-1. This is how it stayed till half time.

Expecting to see either Ramie removed or moved to center half, I was surprised to see him continue at right half. For the majority of the second half we had slightly more chances and they had slightly more possession. “Cometh the hour, cometh the man” or so I thought. 15min left I expected us to consolidate by switching to 5-4-1. Thus substituting Ramie for Ashley or Enver and Craig J for Choca, which would have given us the best chance to avert their attacks. Seen that the experience would have allowed us to play unattractive but effective soccer, knocking the ball forward for Choca to keep up and Enver enforcing the no-nonsense approach. The coach hand other ideas sticking with the 4-4-2 and Ramie (clearly having an off day) and Craig (though being a threat but the weather not his style).

United eventually equalized via a free kick on the D! We can count this one as a lost as 2 points dropped is like gold nowadays!

Needles to say that I was fuming and went to bed at 19h00 on my birthday!

We lost the all important toss and played with the strong south-easter wind. It was a very scrappy first 20 minutes partly due to the strong wind. The first half was very un-eventfull. We attacked and they punted the ball up-field. This frustrated our bench as we were not allowed to play carpet football. The few passes strung together were met with agressive tackling and no recourse by the referee. First half ended all square.

Second half started with Justin replaced by Ashley and we playing without a right half. Cedar attempted to continue they long ball tactic and they got the same response as we launched attack after another.  The deadlock was eventually broken by a goal from Gareth after a failed attempt at goal from Craig. He collected the ball outside the D, controlled perfectly and hit the sweet-spot with a low drive in the bottom right corner. A goal reminiscent of an on-form Scholes! Effectively game over with 20 minutes left to play. Choca were given 15 minutes to play a target man upfront, which he accomplished with aplomb. Our lead were nearly doubled by him, after receiving a cross from deep, controlling it whilst turning and letting rip with a thunderbolt which gave the keeper a faded haircut and removing the paint from the crossbar. The last 10 minutes Cedar attempted to put us under pressure with the help of the wind but our defense and keeper were up to the task. Time score 0-1 we won.

Ending the weekend with six points in the bag feels like payday. Lets hope the results don’t last as long as the pay!

Reigns were temporarily handed to chairman Marcello (me). Now its been more than 2 years since I last coached this team but the majority of players were brought in under my reign. Starting line up included; Noel (gk), Angelo, Borrie, Assie, Bakka (defs), Taariq, Wayne, Ramie, Gareth, Maan (mids) & Craig Jones (lone striker). The formation was changed to 4-5-1 to suit the available players.

We started very gingerly and the first 15 minutes were dominated by the home team, but our rock solid defense were in the mood to play. The wide field made wing play a necessity and various approaches to both goals were made but none that really threatened. In the 20 minute our defense were breached by a lost of concentration by Angelo who turned his back on a free kick 30m from goal on our right side. A short pass was played and their striker beat two extra defenders in the box to score from close range. Ten minutes later we conceded a silly penalty after an attempted cross were struck against Borrie’s chest and it was interpreted as a hand ball. The resultant penalty hit the woodwork and an extra lifeline were handed to us. Shortly after that Taariq should have buried a loose ball in the six yard area after Craig Jones beat the keeper and two defenders, hist shot went against a defender and an open net was presented to Taariq. his shot was rushed by the keeper and a defender and he hit the woodwork. As the first half ended we clearly had the better of our opposition with Ramie and Gareth  winning everything in the middle.

The second half started with two goalscoring chances being missed by Wayne, who looked a bit rusted. This prompted a straight swap for him with Justin, the result was immediate. Justin looked dangerous and he exploited the width of the field to create scoring chances for Craig. We eventually drew level about 15min into the second half. By this time the opposition were always on the back foot and there attempts at goals were restricted to punts up-field and set pieces, non of which threatened. Ramie was recalled after receiving a yellow card and he was replaced with Ashley. After contemplating to change the formation yet again, to 4-3-3 and putting Choca upfront with Justin and Craig, we broke the deadlock. Justin received a ball on the left middle third, beat his man, broke through, forcing their central defender to commit then passed the ball ahead of Craig who finished with the stealth of a sniper.  With five minutes left Craig were sacrificed for Enver who slotted in next to Borrie as stoppers thus changing the formation to 5-4-1. Enver warranted his inclusion with a very disciplined performance. The game finished after 2 minutes of optional time and we got out own back!

One of the two is a versatility player and the other one is a left back. this one really excites me as this will enable us to move Borrie to the centre back where he will be more effective.

This week we have a double-header; Saturday we play Cultural Roots in Nyanga NY49 and Sunday we are involved in the replay of the 5 September game against Cedar United. Any lost points will mean the end of our league aspirations.

Yis

This ruling does not make sense based on the following;

• Home teams are supposed to ensure safety
• The home team were not instructed to ensure safety of future games
• We will need to carry the cost of the replay (referees fees & logistics)
• No indication given as to the time frame in which the replay need to happen
• No advice for the referee who did not explicitly indicate that the game was abandoned because he felt threatened.

Now is it just me being finicky but after all the controversy nothing is actually resolved! Maybe just re-affirming to the clubs that we had an incompetent referee!

Sorry SAFA Cape Town, this is an own goal. Sportingly I will accept it.

Yours in Sport (YiS)

638-2009 Cedar,Orient wrt Abandonement Outcome

Starting line-up excluded Craig Jones, again. Noel in the sticks, Robin moved to RB, Borrie LB, Assie & Zaahid CB pair. Mids were Justin, Bakka, Maan & Taariq and upfront were two makeshift strikers in Craig Meyer and Gareth Symms. Benched were the two Jones’ (Choca & Craig), Enver, Wayne, with Ramie being late. First half started with Helvetia in the driving seat, after warding off waves of attacks the home team finally scored after or defense played Father Christmas two months early. The match then went into a stalemate, that resembled more a tennis game than a game of beautiful football.

The second half started with Orient in the ascendancy and Bakka were substituted by Enver. Before long Taariq converted a tap in from a low cross that came from our right. By the 60th minute Helvetia just had to defend like crazy. In came the talisman, C Jones for Craig Meyer, he went up front with his cousin Gareth. Justin were moved to the right and used his pace to devastating effect. With 15 minutes left in the game Gareth converted a threaded pass  courtesy of Justin, 2-1.

Shortly after that Craig put the contest to bed by converting  a chance created by Gareth and Justin. The opposition pressed and we conceded, yet again. Thanks to the inability to clear a ball punted in the box by Helvetia. How defenders can let a high ball bounce 3 times in the box is beyond comprehension.

Full time score 3-2! Yours in Sport (Yis)

Tonight we will appear (again) before the SAFA Cape Town DC for our abandoned game against Cedar United, this was played at their home (Cedar High School) on 5 September 2009. After approximately 79 minutes the game was blown off, the ref did not supply a reason for the abandonment but submitted a report, indicating that he felt intimidated.

At Athlone Stadium (SAFA CT offices) we have Mssrs. Yusuf Christian & Cassiem van de Rhede representing the club. They will check in at 21h30 with some feedback.  Cheslyn “Borrie” Mitchell, Ramie September and Ashley Williams were also summoned because of their red cards received during that match.

The home team widened their Shelly Road grounds and first impression was that they must have very good wingers and concentrate on wing play. Coach August was alone in charge as manager Daniels was absent due to family comitments. It was the debut of 16 year old Noel Roland(*) in poles, so will he be the answer to our goalkeeping woes. Other in the starting line-up included; Angelo (*), Assie, Bakka, Borrie, Robin (*), Justin, Taariq(*), Craig Meyer & Maan (*).

15 Minutes into the game we were gifted a goal courtesy of a keeper blunder by SR Blackpool, Gareth(*) cooly converted it. It looked like we had luck on our side! We had majority of possesionbut could not convert it to scoring chances and the few chances we had were scuffed. SR Blackpool drew level when our defense played Father Christmas by not clearing in the 18yrd area. Half time score 1-1. Deja Vu?

At the restart the coach substituted Assie for Enver. The second half again saw us have majority possession and the hosts were limited to set pieces for scoring chances. Justin played a very uncharacteristic robust game and was cautioned early in the half, this prompted a substition, Ashley straight in for Justin.

Nothing significant from either side, so the game fizzled out. The game clearly lacked the spark that Craig Jones could have brought, with his silky smooth skills. But he was not called upon. Another 2 points dropped and the league title slowly slipping out of the radar.

Question; Do we start building for next season or do we ”tata ma chance”?

Tonight will be the debut of Ricky and Noel. Ricky comes to us courtesy of Barcelona FC in Manenberg, he has been a long time target of Marcello (that’s me). Noel comes from Primrose Park FC and is a very promising youngster, both are under 21. A worrying factor is the ineffective lighting at Shelley Road, I will source a light meter and if the lux levels are lower than the required 200 lumen then…….

We’ll lets just say there will be another DC hearing.

Hopefully my Snaptu powered tweets will keep the blog updated tonight. Looking at the log, we can NOT afford to drop any points