Saturday Manager Reports
Ashville’s Big Guns Call The Shots
Ashville Res (sic) 3 (1) Ryder (20), A Johnson (57) D Johnson (79)
AFC Bebington Athletic 0 (0)
Ref – P Gibbons
Beb Ath: D Earp, Drew, Hilton, Harrison, Kilbane (Webb 85), M Earp, Iqbal, Oliver, Kennedy, Carvell, Gill (Maddison 65). Subs not used: Reid, Hough, Tanner.
Halton made to sweat for promotion
AFC Bebington Athletic 1(1) Douglas (42)
Halton 2 (0) Johnson (46), McDonald (55)
Ref – N Bullock
Beb Ath: D Earp, Drew, Hilton, Harrison, Kilbane, M Earp, Iqbal, Oliver, Kennedy, Douglas, Reid (Earnshaw 70). Subs not used: Webb, Gill.
A Win At Last
AFC Bebington Athletic 2 (0) Maddison(46), Kennedy (58)
Christleton Res 0 (0)
Ref – L Ledsham
Beb Ath: D Earp, Gill (Drew 73), Ward (Reid 83), Harrison, Kilbane, Iqbal, M Earp, Oliver, Kennedy, Carvell (Earnshaw 12), Maddison. Subs not used: Webb
AFC Bebington Athletic
West Cheshire League Division 2 2007-8
Please vote for your choice of ‘Players Player of the Season’ from the following list.
(min 10 appearances to qualify)
Name
Full apps
Sub apps
Goals
Tick choice
David Iqbal
32
0
1
Danny Earp
32
0
0
Graeme Carvell
29
1
10
Matt Earp
28
0
0
Mathew Gill
27
4
4
Jonathan Oliver
25
4
4
Chris Kennedy
25
2
7
Richard Harrison
25
0
0
Paul Kilbane
24
0
0
James Douglas
17
5
2
Paul Maddison
16
8
8
Ollie Stearman
16
1
0
James Hough
13
10
3
James Ward
11
2
0
Andy Earnshaw
8
12
2
Please vote for your choice of ‘Goal of the Season’ from the following selection (see over).
Place a tick next to your choice.
Goal 1. Paul Maddison v Maghull Res (H) League (6/10/07). On 17, our approach play paid off with another terrifically worked and finished goal. Stan broke out with the ball from our own half. He linked passes with Paul Kilbane who switched the ball across to the right looking for Earny. However, Stan had made up the ground into the box, brought the ball down and swivelled to curl a left footed shot inside the far post for his fifth of the season.
Goal 2. Paul Maddison v Maghull Res(H) League (6/10/07). The second half saw us kicking ‘down hill’ into the little goal and after fifteen minutes of fairly even sparring, we went ahead with yet another contender for goal of the season. Graeme Carvell received the ball on the edge of the box, he flicked it up and into the area seeking to get a shot in himself. However, Stan was better placed and in an instant flashed a left footed volley inside the top left hand corner to put us in the box seat.
Goal 3. Graeme Carvell v Fairfield (H) League(1/12/07) On 21 minutes we did break the deadlock, Graeme took the ball in the inside right channel from Dave at full back, he cut inside the defender and curled a left-footed effort precisely into the bottom corner.
Goal 4. Matt Gill (H) v Poulton Vics Res, Wirral Amateur Cup (15/09/07) From kick off, the ball went back to our midfield, then to Earny. He dribbled past one, then another, then a third as he bore down on the edge of the box. Criticised in the past for not shooting when well placed, this time…….he passed again but it was the right option as he found Gilly on the edge of the box where he curled a peach of a shot inside the far post..
Goal 5.Chris Kennedy (H) v Maghull Res, West Cheshire Bowl (29/09/07) Just three minutes later though we took the lead with a goal of real quality. Killer moved the ball down the left side and linked passes with Stan. He continued his run, took the return ball and played in Kenno running in from midfield. He took the ball into the box before finishing with a crisp, confident shot into the bottom corner from fifteen yards. Good movement, good passing and a great finish. A good team goal and one for the end of season list.
Goal 6. Jon Oliver (H) v Grange Ath, Wirral Amateur Cup (27/10/07) Just after the half hour we got stroke of luck as Grange hit the far post with a shot that bounced to safety. We seized on the ball and put together an excellent move breaking forward that involved Houghy and Stan before Jon Oliver picked up the ball thirty yards from goal. He moved forward and lined up a shot outside the box. His shot rocketed inside the top corner at the near post giving the keeper no chance at all.
Awards to be presented at the end of season dinner on 10th May 2008.
Just the same old song…
AFC Bebington Athletic 1 (0) Carvell (77mins)
Poulton Victoria Res 3 (1) Kelly (45, 72) Dunne (55)
Ref – I Bishop
Beb Ath: D Earp, M Earp, Kilbane, Preston (Webb 70), Iqbal, Kennedy, Ward, Carvell, Gill, Maddison (Tanner 85), Earnshaw. Subs not used: Reid, Douglas, Oliver.
Another game, another tale of woe, of what might have been and what actually happened. Truth is, Vics came to us as Divisional champions, full of confidence and a belief in themselves. We set out each week, full of hope rather than expectation, but as the game wears on, we lose self belief and the confidence saps as another chance goes adrift and eventually the opposition get the break and we slump feeling all sorry for ourselves.
Quite why is hard to fathom, on paper we must have one of the most talented squads in the league, along with that we are a most willing and honest of bunch, perhaps lacking in the ruthless streak that winners need and we had last year, only to evaporate in the close-season.
This game saw changes from the Halton debacle as Danny declared himself fit to resume in goal, Earpy and Killer were back as fullbacks and Presto was also available again in the back-line. The midfield four saw Wardy partnered with Kenno, whilst Matt Gill played down the right, Earny on the left. Our 4-4-2 was completed by Graeme and Stan as a front pair.
The game took a familiar pattern for Beb Ath watchers as both teams contested an even opening period, we missed a few chances that last year we would have gobbled up, we rode our luck as Vics hit the post, but should have gone into the break level until the referee intervened. The game had gone past the 45th minute when a hopeful ball forward seemed to find a Vics player offside. Instead, the ref waived play on and he bore down on Danny, shot, saw our keeper parry his shot, only for another Vics forward, Sean Kelly to tap the ball into an empty net even though he was ahead of the ball and also offside when the first shot came in. Despite our protests, the ref allowed the goal to stand, mumbling something about making an honest mistake as we forlornly kicked off for a few seconds before the half time whistle went.
Given our run of ‘form’ of late, it was to be another uphill struggle if we were to get anything out of our game against a confident, but it has to be said, not unassailable visiting team.
But, into the second half we at least started brightly, Wardy had a snap shot held in the 46th minute and controversy reigned in the 48th when Danny was booked for dissent when a Vics forward clattered him as Danny won the one-on-one, the Vics player receiving not even a ticking off, much to Danny’s annoyance.
Holding our own, we were undone, and the game essentially up on 58, as a high ball, that most subtle of tactics, was misjudged by skipper Iqbal, and Chris Dunne ran on to score with a sharp finish low inside Danny’s left hand post.
Presto limped out of the action on 70 minutes as his knee injury flared up again and he could probably do with resting it for the remainder of the season. With Dougie also sidelined and Richard away, Killer was pressed into service at centre-half, Wardy dropped to left back and Craig Webb came off the bench into midfield. Reshuffled again we took time to settle and were three down on 73 when a simple long throw into the box was not claimed as our entire defence left it for each other. The ball lamely dropped over the line at the far post with Kelly claiming the crucial touch.
Four minutes later we grabbed a lifeline as we scored a classic counter-attacking goal. A Vics corner was cleared and Gilly fed Stan who combined with Graeme and the latter lobbed a shot over the keeper to reduce the arrears.
The goal gave us hope and we then showed glimpses of the real Beb Ath, Stan burst onto a through ball and with only the keeper to beat, rolled his shot an inch wide of the far post. In the closing stages, Matt Tanner came off the bench and Graeme jinked into the box, past two defenders but with the goalkeeper to beat and players waiting on the six yard line, he found the side-netting.
Chances not taken, defensive errors, poor choices of pass and a lack of communication – kind of neatly sums up the season. Four games left, can’t wait for the cricket season myself!
Field of Nightmares
Halton 8 (4)
AFC Bebington Athletic 0 (0)
Ref – S Byrne
Beb Ath: D Earp (Ellis 12mins), Tanner, Ward (Hilton 75mins), Douglas, Iqbal, Kennedy, Webb, Carvell, Gill, Maddison (Earnshaw 65mins), Drew. Sub not used: Reid.
A catalogue of errors and calamities from start to finish saw us on the receiving end of a thumping by promotion chasing Halton as the home side romped to their biggest win of the season and we slumped to our heaviest defeat for many a year.
Once again the fixture list had conspired against us, with Halton needing the win to virtually ensure promotion to Division One, whilst we were a number of players short of full strength, a situation which only got worse into the game. Add in the fact that Halton’s home pitch, the self titled ‘Field of Dreams’ resembled Pitch 5 of the Oval but with the added twist of a left to right slope that made you want to put crampons onto your boots. ‘Football’ in its purest sense was a no-go from the start and Stan yearned for the sanctuary of a cosy futsal-emporium.
Our line up was without Matt Earp and Killer, the season’s regular fullbacks, whilst Chris Preston was still injured as well. The back four thus had Matt Tanner and James Ward trusted with the wide defensive roles and Dave Iqbal and Dougie in the centre, both of whom were carrying knocks.
The midfield selection was hurriedly changed when Jon Oliver failed to show and whilst we welcomed back Matt Gill in his holding role, the vacant central spot alongside Kenno enabled Craig Webb to make his West Cheshire debut. Stan and Chris Drew completed the midfield whilst Graeme Carvell ploughed a lone furrow up front with James Hough still injured.
The subs bench featured Earny and Louis Reid as experienced hands, accompanied by the relative newcomers of Ben Ellis and Stefan Hilton. Last week Chris Sladen was indebted to the West Cheshire postponement to bolster his team, this week it was the other way around.
We knew it would be a tough task to get at least a point from the game and so pre-match the talk was of keeping things tight, not leaving Halton room to play and cutting out the ill-discipline that had seen us concede too many free kicks on Monday.
So, with just two minutes gone, the last thing required was for Dave Iqbal to concede such a free kick outside the box. As the ball was swung into the area, we half cleared it but didn’t pick up the next ball and it was volleyed home from 18 yards by Adam Horrox, a player clearly on top of his game. 0-1.
88 minutes of an up-hill climb was not a great prospect and on 6, it was nearly all over when Halton’s and the West Cheshire League’s leading scorer John McDonald broke free but missed a sitter from inside the six yard box as Danny put him under pressure.
Never mind, the wait for goal two only took them another four minutes as Halton’s tactic to avoid their rutted pitch, play it forward to the strong, pacy Number 10 and let him do his worst paid off. McDonald latched on to a long ball, ran between our centre-backs and slotted his 32nd of the season. 2-0.
How bad could it get? Quite, as it turned out. Two minutes after the second goal went in, a cross from the left was challenged by Danny and Matty Johnson, Halton’s livewire winger. Our keeper was fouled and the ref blew for a free kick, but the ball landed awkwardly on Danny’s middle finger and he went down in agony. He instantly knew all was not well and when his glove was finally prised off, the contorted shape of a dislocated finger was evident. Hospital was the only solution and so Louis Reid manfully took the injured keeper to the accident unit depriving us of one our experienced subs. After a long delay and a few scratches of the head, Ben Ellis was the recipient of the gloves lottery. This was by virtue of him being quite tall, possessing an ability to kick a ball quite a long way and the hope that he might be able to catch as well, not through any experience of ever having played in goal! It soon told.
Goal three came whilst Danny was still being readied for casualty, and by half time, a ball into the box was keenly contested by Matt Tanner and Ben Ellis, unfortunately with both players on the same team, the ball ran free to McDonald who gratefully rolled home one of his easier goals of the season.4-0.
We made it to the sanctuary of the dressing room after a hail storm had ended too quickly and with it any lingering hope of abandonment.
Could we come away with some credit, save some face and at least limit the goals against to preserve our advantage over Fairfield and Ashville?
No, was the answer. McDonald skipped away from Dave Iqbal to score a simple fifth across the ‘keeper and into the far corner soon after the break, completing his hat-trick.5-0.
A period of calm ensued as Halton eased up and Ben then made a good diving save as he punched away a free kick to deny the home side another. Unfortunately he then misjudged the returned cross from Horrox and the ball dropped under the bar to make it half a dozen.6-0.
Earny replaced Stan and Stefan came on for his West Cheshire debut in the closing quarter of the game, at least getting a run would be good for fitness and we could gain a crumb of benefit from the afternoon.
Halton put together two good moves for their final flurries of the game, as Halton’s knife-hot players ran through our Anchor-like defence. A quick one-two led to Iqbal slicing number seven in for them before McDonald earned his MoM award by notching an easy eighth.7-0.8-0.
We somehow stopped them scoring any further goals in the final seventeen minutes of play to prevent an even more embarrassing result.
At the other end (yes, there was one), home keeper Adam Judge had a busy afternoon pumping balls forward for his forwards to latch on to, but could really have played as an outfield player as the ball rarely touched his gloves. I think we had a corner once, but maybe not.
One to put down to experience? One of those games? One to forget? Certainly circumstances and events conspired against us, but we must be making things happen, rather than being on the receiving end of them if we are to improve.
Doing it the hard way….
AFC Bebington Athletic 2 (0) Own Goal (47), Kennedy (53)
Grange Athletic 2 (0) Rioch (67), Webb (85)
Ref – J Ledsham
Beb Ath: D Earp, M Earp, Kilbane, Douglas, Iqbal, Kennedy, Carvell, Oliver, Ward (Reid 60mins), Maddison, Drew. Subs not used: Earnshaw, Tanner, Webb, Ellis.
With the weekend’s game at Ashville washed out (again), the FOURTH time this season a fixture against them has been postponed, and Fairfield taking advantage by winning 1-0 at a sodden Chester Nomads, the home game against Grange became even more important in our quest to avoid the trapdoor.
Evening games without floodlights are always rushed affairs with the time for adequate preparation squeezed by work and the demands of the early kick off time. With a team selected, we are then at the behest of being able to leave work on time (or earlier) and the traffic gods to ensure the chosen players are there. Half an hour before kick off the call that Presto had failed his own late late fitness test meant a further re-jig to the plans. Consequently the back four reverted to the one that played at Poulton Vics, in midfield Jon Oliver partnered Kenno in the centre, flanked by Chris Drew and a recalled James Ward. Up front Graeme Carvell sat deeper with Stan also recalled to the front line. The bench featured a differing array of options with Louis Reid, Matt Tanner and Andy Earnshaw accompanied by Craig Webb and Ben Ellis who have caught the eye playing for the Chester & District team. Ben Ellis had turned up to watch but with Presto’s late withdrawal a pair of boots was quickly found and he made up the quintet.
The game that unfolded was one of drama, tension, hope and heartbreak, all the things that make the game what it is. I’d settle for a drab, slogged 1-0 win any day of the week!
The opening exchanges belied little of what was to come as both teams tried to get the measure of each other and the slippery pitch that was a relic of the weekend’s downpours.
After ten minutes, Stan created a chance for himself and tested the keeper with a sighter from twenty yards that was held comfortably. Two minutes later a corner kick dropped to Graeme at the far post and he had time to kill the ball before his shot was blocked, an earlier snap shot may have drawn better rewards on this occasion.
We had the better of the openings and on 14 Stan found himself on the end of a through ball, he beat one defender and turned to leave himself one on one with the keeper but then rather than get his shot in early he delayed just long enough to allow the covering defender to get a foot in.
Grange’s best chance of success seemed to come from the free kicks we were giving away around the edge of our box. We were guilty of a lack of discipline at times and were conceding too many set pieces for pushes and mistimed tackles. The visitors from Ellesmere Port misfired their dead balls though and Danny was rarely threatened.
Dave Iqbal was fouled twenty five yards out on 35mins and we were awarded a free kick that was within Dougie’s range. However, he fired high and wide, blaming the pitch for taking his standing foot.
On 38, Chris Drew, having another impressive game, combined with Jon Oliver who was also having a better game playing in a deeper midfield role, the move ended with Drew firing over the bar but there was undoubtedly more goal potential about us tonight.
On 39, Killer advanced, picking up a loose pass and cut into the box before firing just wide. Before half time there was just time for Drew to have a shot deflected for a corner as he ran clear of the Grange midfield and then Dougie to head the corner kick wide. Half time saw Grange happy to go in level whilst we needed a slightly more refined touch on the final ball and a killer instinct in the box.
Two minutes after the restart, Graeme’s switch pass found Drew in space down the right. He looked up and sent in a dangerous low cross that was expertly volleyed home from six yards by a Grange defender giving the keeper no chance and ripping the net pegs out of the ground in the process.
Suddenly, with a goal to the good, confidence flowed. Passes and runs were made and we looked a greater threat. Jon Oliver fizzed a shot from the edge of the box that was clutched by the Grange ‘keeper and then, on 53, another great pass from Graeme released Kenno who did what he does so often in training, outpacing defenders and then smashing a shot into the back of the net, this time via the far post. A two nil lead put us in the driving seat and we had clear hopes of a much needed three-point haul.
However, it seemed that Grange and the referee had other ideas. On 55, Grange were awarded yet another free kick. The ball was swung into the box and it appeared that a Grange player got a clear head onto the ball where it was nodded across the six yard box and then amazingly blasted over the bar from almost on the goal line. But, ref Joel Ledsham had spotted a push on the player heading the ball despite no appeals from any grey-shirted player. Inevitably it was Matt Earp deemed the offending player and Dan was left to face the resultant penalty kick. Justice was done though when Dan saved the spot-kick with his legs and the ball was cleared to safety.
On the hour mark we were forced to make a change as Wardy’s lack of match fitness told and Louis Reid came on as a replacement.
Grange offered a further warning on 61 when a shot from the left was held low down by his post by Dan. Six minutes later they did reduce the deficit although in more controversial circumstances. A Grange player was clearly offside when the ball was played forward, although on the far side of the pitch and deemed ‘inactive’ by the ref. But, when the cross was swung in from our right hand side, the same player was clearly involved as he went up with Dan. The ‘keeper mistimed his punch under pressure and the ball nestled in the net. If that is the law, then the law is an ass, as Mr Dickens once wrote.
The ref awarded Grange a free kick just on the edge of the box when Dave had the ball blasted at his hands from close range. Dan was equal to the kick as it was whipped around the wall but the pressure from Grange was telling.
As the night closed in and the clock ticked on, despite the pressure, we felt we might hang on. But, agonisingly with only five minutes left of the ninety, we were caught in possession high up the field, the ball was pushed forward to the Grange front line now numbering five, and a low cross from our right was slammed home at the near post by Craig Webb (their’s, not ours) for an equaliser.
At the final whistle we were disbelieving and distraught as yet more valuable survival points had slipped from our grasp.
On the plus side, it is a point in our favour and inch by inch we can get ourselves out of the mire. And, at least our fate is in our hands and not that of other teams which is the fate of Ashville and to a lesser extent Fairfield. With Christelton’s relegation now confirmed, the decision on the final place will go on for a few weeks yet.
Poulton Victorious
Poulton Victoria Res 2 (1) Beattie (pen, 12), Kelly (67 mins)
AFC Bebington Athletic 1 (0) Carvell (65 mins)
Ref – R Buck
Beb Ath: D Earp, M Earp, Kilbane, Douglas, Iqbal, Kennedy, Gill (Tanner 78mins), Carvell, Oliver, Reid (Maddison 73mins), Drew. Subs not used: Ward, Earnshaw.
OK, our first season at Division Two level has not been a resounding success. But, even though we will be able to reflect on this season and endeavour to achieve a higher league placing next year (assuming our escape from the bottom two is a success), we can at least look back and say that we have been able to match the teams at this level. In the past few weeks we have played Capenhurst, Maghull and Willaston, all teams vying for the promotion places and all of these sides have had to graft to earn their wins over us. On Saturday, we faced the divisional champions, Poulton Vics Reserves, a team who have won the league by more than a comfortable margin, so much so they were crowned champions in the second week of March! Whilst the hosts were able to record a narrow one-goal victory over us, they were on the rack for parts of the game and were relieved at the final whistle. Next year, our focus has to be to continue to compete as we have done, but to be that little bit more canny and professional in our approach to turn the close defeats into narrow wins or draws and the draws into wins. If we can achieve this, and the players we have are more than capable in terms of footballing ability, then we can seriously challenge at the top end.
After emerging from the underground bunker that purports to be the changing rooms at Victoria Park we were immersed into a mixed bag of Easter weekend weather that brought everything from bright warm sunshine to hail and snow showers.
The starting line up, in a 4-1-4-1 formation saw Dave Iqbal partner Dougie at centre-half as both Presto and Rich Harrison were unavailable, Matt Gill resumed his holding role whilst Chris Drew made his full first team debut on the right flank. In central midfield, Kenno was partnered by Graeme Carvell, made captain in honour of his 100th Beb Ath start. Jon Oliver was the man leading the line.
Vics came out of the traps fastest and an early volley over the bar let us know they were not content with easing up now they had crossed the finishing line. However, we grew in confidence and the combination of Drew, Oliver and Carvell put together some useful passing moves on the right of the pitch. Drew crossed a little too far for Jon and another cross was a little too near the ‘keeper to allow us a goal attempt as we probed forward.
Just as we were building some momentum, Poulton put together a slick passing move that resulted in a quick turn into the box by the home team’s nippy centre-forward. Matt Earp came across from right-back to clear the danger but was too slow for the home player and he cleanly took his legs away leaving the ref with no option but to award a penalty with twelve minutes on the watch. Dan got a hand to James Beattie’s spot kick as he dived to his left but unfortunately he could not keep it out.
Going a goal down, heads dropped and we took a few minutes to get up and running again. On 28, Drewy broke the offside trap, outpaced the back line and just knicked the ball past the keeper on the edge of the box. As he turned to roll the ball into the empty net, he was denied by a great saving tackle by the home centre-back. The loose ball ran to Jon Oliver who set Drewy for another strike but his effort was over the bar.
Ten minutes before the break, Vics had a corner that ended with a scramble in our box. The ball was hit against a post before being cleared from the six yard box.
Half time arrived with us just a goal down although we knew we hadn’t played to the best of our ability and there was more in our locker.
The second half was a much more impressive affair from our point of view. Tackles were sharper, passes more astute and crisper, and the tempo higher, however, the approach to goal let us down.
With a little more help from the referee we may have had more opportunities but Mr Buck seemed determined not to spoil the Vic’s party and gave a classic ‘homer’ performance.
Twenty minutes into the second period we got ourselves back level as Matt Earp played a ball down the right flank for Chris Drew to chase. He showed tremendous determination to not only reach the ball, but shrugged off the full back and cut the ball back to Jon Oliver who then squared for Graeme to tuck the ball right into the bottom corner of the net.
But, just as we should have consolidated the position we had earned, we allowed Vics to restore their lead. Only two minutes later, Earpy tried to keep the ball in as it was played down his flank. Instead of clearing simply for a throw, he ended up conceding a free kick. The ball was whipped in and met by a header that looked to be dropping over the bar. The windy conditions intervened and instead of going behind, the ball bounced off the bar. Vics’ Sean Kelly was quickest to react and nodded in unopposed. These are just the sort of situations we need to learn to avoid as we mature as a Division Two team.
Two substitutions were made as the game entered its’ final phase, Stan replaced Louis Reid on the left and Matt Tanner came on for Gilly. He went to right back and Earpy pushed into midfield as we changed shape to a 4-4-2 for the final stages.
Drew might have snatched an equaliser at the death when he found himself free on the edge of the box but the ball bobbled up at the crucial moment and Chris blasted the ball over the top. The second half had been a much more impressive affair and we had shown again how we can match the teams in this division.
At the final whistle we generously applauded the home team as they were presented with the Division Two trophy by the West Cheshire committee men. The second time in two years we have been present as the league winners received their prize. Last year it was us, let’s hope that seeing Vics gain their reward can be our spur to a more successful campaign next season.
GC picked up the MoM award for a good display on the day he celebrated his 100th appearance, with the armband and his 79th goal in a Beb Ath shirt, and it was his birthday to boot!
Next week, it’s the crucial return fixture at Ashville as we look to turn positive performances into positive results.
A Step to Safety
AFC Bebington Athletic 1 (0) Carvell (60 mins)
Ashville Res 1 (0) Gillan (85 mins)
Ref – B McQuillan
Beb Ath: D Earp, M Earp, Kilbane, Harrison (Douglas 21mins), Preston, Iqbal, Kennedy, Gill, Carvell, Oliver, Reid (Earnshaw 78mins). Subs not used: Drew, Tanner, Ward.
Saturday’s match was one we couldn’t afford to lose. With Ashville sitting five points ahead of us, a victory for the visitors would have seen them with a daunting lead and even with our games in hand; it would have been a large gap to wear down. In the end we were only five minutes from victory as Ashville launched a late surge in an attempt to save themselves from the drop.
The starting eleven lined up with a change to a regulation 4-4-2 with Louis Reid making a start on the left of midfield, Dave Iqbal switching to the right and Gilly and Kenno taking the central roles. The back four was again unchanged whilst up front, Jon Oliver and Graeme took the shirts with Houghy still injured, Earny not 100% fit and Stan practising his tip-tap.
Despite us having the first shot at goal, Kenno with an effort that went wide on seven minutes, the game had a rather nervy and edgy start, only to be expected given the importance of the game to both teams.
After a quarter of an hour we had two successive corners, Louis Reid was able to swing in some dangerous balls that saw Dave Iqbal drive wide when under pressure in the box.
With 18 minutes gone, a high ball on the half way line was challenged by Richard Harrison, Matt Gill and an Ashville player. Rich came off worse as he collided with Gilly and it was immediately clear that Rich had suffered a bad injury. A gash opened up just above his eye and after a lengthy stoppage to patch him up, Rich was helped off the pitch and to Arrowe Park where, four stitches later he was back in the pub! Meanwhile, on the pitch Dougie came from the bench to partner Presto at the back.
We picked up after this and had a good spell of pressure. Kenno got around the back on 21 and set up Paul Kilbane who volleyed high and wide. Dave Iqbal tried to hit a cross from Graeme too well when a side footed volley might have sufficed and then Jon Oliver made an attempt to cross the ball low into the box and the keeper just smothered it before we could take advantage. Half time arrived with Danny having little to do as our defensive shape kept them at bay.
At half time we made a change – shifting our shape to 4-5-1 in an attempt to draw the Ashville back line up and allow our numerically advantaged midfield to break through the line.
Almost straight away, we earned a decent chance as Graeme and Gilly combined to cross a ball that went just behind Dave running in. This lead to a corner but we failed to gain the advantage from it.
Dan made his only real save of the day on 52 minutes when an uncharacteristic slip from Presto let in an Ashville forward who shot to the top corner but was denied by a diving save from our keeper.
Jon Oliver headed a Killer cross over on 58, but three minutes later we did go ahead. After more than three games without a goal, we needed a bit of luck. Graeme’s corner from the left bounced around the near post, was missed by the covering defender, bounced past the keeper and despite the flailing attempt of another Ashville defender to claw the ball out with his hand, the ball was well and truly over the line to give us the lead.
Ashville couldn’t really offer a reply and we were in control of the game looking forward to an important win. On 78 minutes, Earny replaced Louis Reid and five minutes later, he was instrumental in creating what might have been the winning goal. A typical run and shuffle ended with a pass to Kenno who teed up Jon Oliver in space in the right hand channel. Bearing down on goal he went for the near post blaster rather than shooting across the keeper and ended up hitting his effort wide.
We paid for the miss two minutes later when Ashville, now playing with four forwards went for broke, and won a couple of successive corners. From the second one, the initial ball was cleared, but on return, John Gillan was criminally left unmarked and he hit a snap shot from eight yards inside Dan’s far post for an equaliser.
We were rocked and Ashville lifted. They poured forward again in search of an unlikely winner. On 87, a run down the right ended with Ashville crashing a shot against the near post and we breathed a collective sigh of relief when the ball was cleared.
It finished a point apiece; a better result for us then them and with eight games still to play, our safety is in our own hands.
Heard this one before?
Capenhurst Villa 2(0) (Locke 70, 86mins)
AFC Bebington Athletic 0
Ref – P Sullivan
Beb Ath: D Earp, M Earp, Kilbane, Harrison, Preston, Iqbal, Kennedy, Gill, Carvell, Oliver, Earnshaw (Maddison 62mins). Sub not used: Reid, Drew, Tanner.
Another tale of ‘what might have been’. For the second week in succession we turned out against a team gunning for promotion, matched them, outplayed them at times, and came away with nothing. Showing just one change from last week at Maghull, Andy Earnshaw, now fit, replacing the injured James Hough in the front three, we were confident – as always, of getting something from what appeared on paper, a tough fixture.
Given Capenhurst’s current third place with games over Maghull to make up, but being chased by Halton behind them, we expected the home team to really come out of the blocks and threaten. However, the opening exchanges allowed us to assume the ascendancy and from a third minute corner, we were first to test a goalkeeper. Kenno’s header from Graeme’s corner was clutched by the keeper as he moved to his left.
On twelve minutes, Andy Earnshaw was able to slip through the left hand channel before his final ball across the box went begging. In hindsight, a shot may have been the better option as Capenhurst were able to clear their lines.
Our back line looked reasonably comfortable and Cape’s attack fairly impotent as their chief threats came only from dead ball situations. We were guilty of conceding too many free kicks, particularly on the right where Matt Earp was tempted into a number of rash challenges although the actions of the home touch line in trying to get him in the book were disappointing and they succeeded half way through the first half as Earpy picked up a yellow for a rather inoffensive tackle on the Cape wide man.
Danny held a close range scuffed shot resulting from one such free kick on 21, but we still looked the more likely to open the scoring.
On 27, Graeme performed the shuffle that brought him countless goals last season, only to see his left footed curler roll wide of the upright. Three minutes later he played a glorious pass into Jon Oliver’s run, he took the ball in his stride and shot across the keeper but again the ball flashed inches wide of the post.
At least this was a huge improvement on last week as we were making, if not taking chances. The front three were a threat and they were ably backed up by the thrusting midfield of David Iqbal and Kenno who was carving his way through the home team at will.
The back four looks strong and yet again Chris Preston was able to dominate both the aerial balls and intercept on the deck, looking as though he has always played in a blue shirt. (There was a little ‘peace –making’ between Presto and Stan before the kick off as they recalled their spat at Manor in September ’06 which saw the quiet, mild-mannered forward red-carded for foul and abusive!)
At half time, all we could do was be pleased with our efforts, and whilst not scoring, we more than matched a top three side belying our own lowly league position.
We were to expect a resurgent Cape side after the break and they had their best chance so far on 49 when a break from the half way line, although the ref missed the fact that he was five yards offside, resulted in the Cape forward crashing a shot against the underside of the bar and just away to safety.
Maybe our luck was in this week? Seven minutes later, we thought so, as we won a corner that was cleared by Capenhurst. However, a discussion between Presto and the home full back clearly generated some debate. The only reply the home player could offer to Christopher’s witty retorts was to chin him square in front of the referee. Handbags ensued for a few moments before the ref waved a red at the full back whilst a quiet word of advice was all that he could dish to Presto.
So, playing against ten men in a game we had dominated so far, the portents looked good. Stan entered the fray on 62 replacing Earny on the left, as we looked to put one of our chances away.
However, on 70, the home team made an unlikely breakthrough. The otherwise sound Matt Earp let an attempted clearance slide off his boot and the lively Cape sub Duncan Tolen was able to latch onto the loose ball and whip a cross into the box that the onrushing Alan Locke met with a thumping header into the top corner giving Dan no chance.
The sending off appeared to have revitalised the home team and they showed the better football now as they kept the ball knowing a chase was out of the question. Unfortunately, we looked long too often and a more patient controlled build up may have offered better rewards.
Our best chance of an equaliser came on 80 when Presto nodded a free kick down to Gilly standing virtually alone in the six yard box. The ball was slightly behind him and he tried to hit a first time shot when he really had more time. The ball was tamely lifted over the bar when a finish was required. (Gilly got it right on Sunday smashing home a great equaliser in the Sunday team’s ill-fated semi final next day.)
Matt Earp lined up a free kick a minute or two later but his shot was high and wide.
Unfortunately, the game was up on 86 when Tolen again broke down the left. He skipped past a couple of challenges that frankly should have been stronger before rolling a pass into Locke again to easily tuck home a goal from close range.
So, another frustrating afternoon and a tale of missed chances to chew over.
I am frankly fed up with the words of the opposition praising our football and application as they run home with the points. An ugly win would do for us all and I can’t see it being too pretty on Saturday!
It only takes a second…..
Maghull Res 1(0) Rafferty (50 mins)
AFC Bebington Athletic 0
Ref: G Rice
Beb Ath: D Earp, M Earp, Kilbane, Harrison, Preston, Iqbal, Kennedy, Gill, Carvell, Oliver, J Hough (Tanner 60mins), Subs not used: Reid, Drew, Earnshaw.
For 89 ½ minutes we acquitted ourselves against second place Maghull Reserves, but the all important thirty seconds were the ones that ultimately counted.
After yet another fortnight’s break when last week’s opponents Christleton Res cried off, citing player shortage as their embarrassing excuse, we were eager to get the game going. Maghull boast a tidy footballing set up with a well-manicured pitch for the time of year and a clubhouse to envy.
Our starting line up saw one or two changes from the last outing against Willaston, with James Hough taking central stage in the front three, Jon Oliver switching to the left as Andy Earnshaw’s groin injury kept him out of the starting line up. At the back Chris Preston made his debut at centre-half following his signing from local rivals Manor Athletic.
The wind dictated a lot of the first half as the continual gusts lifted clearances and crossed balls out of play but there were moments of good play, more so from Athletic as we created a few half chances in the first 45.
Graeme found a bit of space down the right, but found his shots blocked time and again. James Hough battled well through the middle and added a bit of physical presence to the front line, but he is not without his subtle touches as one volleyed pass into Jon Oliver showed. The ball just evaded Jon’s run allowing the keeper to make a block.
On the half hour mark, Graeme was on the receiving end of a nasty tackle that left him with a cut ankle but he was able to carry on. However, James Hough twisted his knee in a clash with the Maghull back line and whilst he soldiered on for an hour, it eventually forced him off the field.
Danny meanwhile had relatively little to trouble him in the opening 45. Maghull found space once down the left and the forward player flashed a shot wide of the far post, but apart from that, Maghull were restricted to shots and free kicks from outside the box.
As a group we had defended well with Chris Preston making an assured start to his time in a Beb Ath shirt.
Going in at the break we were reasonably satisfied with our efforts and we hoped to continue in the same vein after the break.
With the wind dropping, there was an opportunity for both sides to get the ball down and play a bit. However, the tone of the game changed with only five minutes of the half played. We conceded a free kick out on the left that was eventually swung into the box. For once, their tall centre forward got their first and flicked the ball down for Steve Rafferty to find himself surprisingly free of a marker from where he struck a firm shot into the corner. Danny got a hand to the ball but was unable to divert it wide. A moment’s lapse of concentration had cost us a goal.
Maghull seemed prepared to sit it out from there on. They showed little ambition in going forward apart from the odd break and allowed us to come onto them whilst they defended the edge of the box.
With the hour mark passed, Houghy limped off to be replaced by Matt Tanner, making a return to West Cheshire football after his long lay off. He went into a forward role on the left with Graeme switching to the middle and Jon to the right.
The back four generally cleaned up all that came their way, Matt Earp earned the MOM vote for a determined and committed display in which he defended superbly as well as launching attacks down the right. On the opposite flank Killer found time and space over and over again as he made thrusts down the left. In midfield Kenno was also finding himself on the ball with increasing frequency. However, in spite of our possession, the Maghull defence closed us out and prevented us playing the killer or quality balls into the front three.
All of our efforts on goal were restricted to outside the box and the home keeper rarely had to field anything of pace or awkward direction.
Solid, but unspectacular was perhaps a fair assessment of our play and as such it was disappointing that a moment’s lapse had let us down and denied us a deserved point. For the umpteenth match we were praised for our ability and application by both the home side and referee. But the kind words don’t translate into points and that is what we really need. With ten games to go, our fate is firmly in our own hands and we need to address all the lessons we have learned from playing established sides in Division Two and put a few points on the board.
Willaston at the double
AFC Bebington Athletic 0
Willaston 1 (1) Lui (23 mins)
Ref – B Messham
Beb Ath: D Earp, M Earp, Kilbane, Harrison, Douglas, Iqbal, Kennedy, Gill, Carvell, Oliver (J Hough 70 mins), Earnshaw (Drew 85 mins). Sub not used: Reid.
Given the performance against New Brighton last week, it was not difficult to name an unchanged team for the visit of Division Two stalwarts Willaston. Last month two controversial penalty decisions had cost us the points against these opponents and so we were up for putting the record straight. However, it was not to be as Willaston claimed the only goal of the game and saw the game through to claim a full six points off ‘Athletic.
Our ‘new’ pitch looked in good condition and the spell of cold frosty weather had firmed up a surface that had recently been rolled by the Levers groundstaff in the week in which they had condemned our pitch four home due to its unsafe pitch barriers and vandalised dugouts.
Straight from kick off Kenno showed his intent by lunging into a tackle against his mate playing for the opposition. Willaston thus won their first free kick with five seconds on the watch! Fortunately the dead ball came to nothing and we were first to threaten a goal. Graeme Carvell was again playing on the right hand side of a front three and he found space behind their wing-back with Willaston opting for a 3-5-2 formation. He cut inside but delayed a little too long in trying to find the perfect shooting moment and the shot was blocked.
We were putting together some good passing moves and only a couple of minutes later Paul Kilbane came close to breaking his Beb Ath duck. A succession of passes resulted in Graeme crossing from the right and Killer was unmarked as he ran in from the edge of the box, however his volley screamed just wide of the upright. When he does get one, it will be a good ‘un!
Danny was relatively untroubled in the opening quarter as our defence looked firm against the Willaston front two.
After 17 minutes Earny pressured the right back into a mistake and we were presented with a chance we really should have taken. Earny picked up the loose ball and ran into the six yard box, he squared the ball to where both Graeme and Jon Oliver were running in but Willaston just managed to get enough bodies back to prevent a soft goal.
David Iqbal was next to miss for us, having flown back from his holiday early to be at the match his commitment is unquestioned. Unfortunately his finishing wasn’t quite up there as he screwed his shot wide of the post when he ought to have hit the target.
All the time we were creating and missing chances, Willaston were sorting their own game out and they steadily grew in confidence. They were now passing the ball around confidently as their man of the match James Clare pulled the midfield strings.
Inevitably, after failing to take good chances, Willaston went ahead from a half chance. A long ball was only partially cleared by Killer as the low sun obscured his view of the ball. We were a little slow to close down Mike Lui as he swung at the loose ball from outside the box. The ball looked to be curving away from goal but straightened up at the last minute and went in off the post with Danny stranded.
The goal buoyed the visitors and they started to play with even more confidence whilst we seemed to drop back and our play stuttered.
On 33 we were fortunate not to be further behind as Willaston broke away from our free kick in their half, but the final ball wasn’t quite cute enough and the ref blew for offside as the ball was passed into the net from six yards.
Too many dead-balls were wasted this way and we need to improve in this aspect of our game. At least we managed to get to half time just the one goal down giving us a chance to regroup and reorganise.
The second half was a rather lame affair. We again created some half-chances like the one Kenno hit goalwards on 46. However, it was a rather weak effort and the keeper was never tested.
David Iqbal looped a speculative cross into the box on 53, there wasn’t a Beb Ath player in the vicinity but the keeper was happy to just about watch the ball bounce off the top of the bar and out to safety.
The best opportunity for an equaliser came on 57. John Oliver teed up Graeme who struck a good shot towards goal but the visiting keeper pulled off the best save of the day to turn the effort wide.
John Oliver was then rightfully booked for a late challenge in midfield to halt a Willaston break. His hamstring was a little tight at this point and he was replaced by James Hough for the final twenty minutes of the game.
Kenno then had another rather weak goal attempt on 72 but the goalkeeper was again untroubled.
Willaston continued to pass the ball well but never really created another clear cut chance and were happy to defend their lead by not committing too many men forward.
In a last attempt to pull an equaliser Chris Drew came on for the final few minutes in the hope that a pair of fresh legs and youthful ideas might do the trick, but this didn’t happen and the game wound up with us losing by a preventable goal.
Frustration was the main feeling after the game. Again, we had matched a solid West Cheshire Division Two team for 89 minutes but one moment’s lapse had cost us a point, and missed chances had cost us all three. Kind words from the opposition manager were again paid to us but we want points rather than compliments.
At least our rivals in the bottom four ‘mini-league’ also lost leaving us ‘top’ with another round of fixtures played!
New Brighton Rocked
AFC Bebington Athletic 2 (1) Earnshaw (31), Carvell (pen) (57)
New Brighton Res 0 (0)
Ref – A Canavan
Beb Ath: D Earp, M Earp, Kilbane, Harrison, Douglas, Iqbal, Kennedy, Gill, Carvell, Oliver (J Hough 88 mins), Earnshaw (Maddison 82 mins). Subs not used: Reid, Drew, Tanner.
After a winless streak of 10 games stretching back to last October, we secured a three point haul to take us out of the bottom two with a two-nil victory over New Brighton Reserves at Levers.
During our enforced ‘mid-winter break’ as games against Ashville, Helsby and Capenhurst were all washed out, our rivals at the bottom of the table failed to take advantage so by kick off on Saturday we sat two points behind the teams above us, but with a five match advantage.
We had faced New Brighton Reserves three times in our short West Cheshire career with the reds coming out on top every time. Therefore it was always going to be a tough task to get anything from this one.
Having watched our opponents last Saturday we were particularly wary of their central midfield duo and their tricky wingers. We shifted our shape to accommodate this, playing Gilly, Kenno and Dave in a midfield trio with Jon Oliver up front through the middle, flanked by Graeme and a recalled Andy Earnshaw. The only change at the back from the game a month ago (!) at Willaston saw Killer return at left back in place of Wardy.
We kicked off and immediately seized the initiative and we may have scored twice inside the first two minutes. Earny broke down the left and crossed into the box but the ball ran across the six yard box without anybody being able to get on the end of it.
Then Kenno latched onto Dave’s through ball but seemed to think he was offside and stopped before shooting wide when clear on goal.
We kept plugging away and our disciplined shape denied the visitors a clear route to goal. Gilly mopped up everything that fell around the midfield whilst our centre backs were able to deal with the threat from up front.
On 16 minutes, Jon Oliver had a good chance and turned sharply to shoot but New Brighton’s keeper made a smart save down to his left to divert the ball just wide of the post for a corner. The resulting flag-kick led to nothing as the ref blew for an alleged foul on the keeper.
New Brighton were able to string a few passes together as they attempted to play the football they wanted to, and twice in succession, on 20 and 22 minutes, they found room to get shots in on goal, but they went firstly high, then wide and Danny was largely untroubled.
We then broke forward and Dave Iqbal found himself in a good shooting position on the edge of the box, however, he sliced his shot and it turned into a good pass to Graeme on the right. He put a cross over to the far post but Jon arrived just too late to connect.
Just after the half hour, we made the breakthrough. Earny pulled down a pass to him on the top of the ‘D’ and swivelled to shoot seeing the keeper just off his line. His RIGHT footed effort clipped a defender on the way into the top corner for his second goal of the season.
New Brighton briefly threatened an equaliser a few minutes later when they won a corner that was headed goalwards but Matt Earp was perfectly placed to clear from under the bar.
We went into the half time break nicely in control and if we could hold our shape and determination then the sought after victory was in sight.
Although we didn’t start the second period with quite the same verve as we had opened the game, we still managed to look in control. Whilst New Brighton enjoyed a greater share of the possession, their moves broke down before they could threaten our goal as both full backs had the New Brighton wingers in their pockets and Dan organised the defence in front of him with a calm assuredness.
Twelve minutes into the half we doubled our lead. Andy Earnshaw linked with Graeme who played a perfectly timed ball through to Jon Oliver running into the box. He had too much pace for the combination of ‘keeper and centre-back with the result that they clattered him to the deck as he took the ball past them. A clear penalty, in our favour for once! The only debate was who should take it? GC was handed the responsibility and he coolly tucked the ball into the bottom left as the ‘keeper went the other way.
We then doggedly and determinedly protected our lead and whilst New Brighton put on pressure, their chances were limited. Matt Earp was booked on the hour for an overly enthusiastic tackle that saw the New Brighton w(h)inger also pick up a yellow for his reaction.
With just under ten minutes to go, Stan gave us some fresh legs in place of the impressive Earny who had added work rate and tenacity to his skills-based game. In the closing stages Houghy replaced Jon O up front with the instructions to hold the ball and eat up time. He took this to the extreme by lashing the ball in the direction of the 10th tee at Eastham as he made sure the ball went out for a throw in!
Ref Canavan played five minutes of added time but there was to be no response from New Brighton and we calmly and deservedly picked up a welcome three points and a clean sheet.
This was a solid team performance built over several weeks as we kept plugging away in the firm belief we could stop the run of defeats. When the whole squad is on song, we can compete with anyone in this league as shown today. MoM went to Matt Gill who played a perfect role as the midfield holding player in the mould of Mascherano or Essien. Honourable mentions also to Kenno whose range of passing and added threat on goal saw him have one of his best games in the blue shirts and the resurgent Andy Earnshaw who has bided his time on the bench and returned with a storming performance. Both full backs had focused and solid matches whilst the centre-back pairing never really came under threat either. Skipper Dave was full of running and energy as usual and the touch, balance and pace of GC and Jonny worried New Brighton all afternoon.
With two important home games to complete the month, we must look to follow up this performance and give ourselves a cushion between us and the bottom two. This was a great start, but the job’s not finished.
Costly DecisionsWillaston 3(2) Wainwright 2 pens (20, 75), Lui (40) AFC Bebington Athletic 0 Ref – S Muir Beb Ath: D Earp, M Earp, Ward (Earnshaw 67), Harrison, Stearman, Oliver (Maddison 72), Iqbal, J Hough (Kennedy 67), Carvell, Gill. Subs not used: Reid, Tanner. A familiar tale this week. Solid and determined, maybe lacking a little quality at the right times, but honest and committed, we were let down by some very dubious refereeing decisions that had an enormous impact on the final result. Once again the opposition manager was quick to acknowledge that we might be ‘more than a little frustrated’ with the manner of the defeat. Team-wise, another couple of shuffles saw Dougie rejoin Rich at the back, Ollie pushing into central midfield and Kenno dropping to the bench. A late call from work ruled Killer out of the game and so James Ward was drafted in to left back despite awaiting a consultant’s appointment about his long standing groin injury. Also, returning to the fold was Matt Tanner, after a few games for the Chester & District side, he was back in the squad following over two years out with a knee injury. We started the game brightly and had Willaston on the back foot although we didn’t threaten their goal as much as we should have. Graeme took too long to get a shot away after the keeper made a mess of things and his covering defenders did enough, and Jon Oliver spurned the best chance of the opening spell when he burst through down the inside right channel but miscued his shot into the side netting at the near post. With twenty minutes gone, the game took a turn for the worse for us when a Willaston forward appeared to run into Jon Oliver just inside the box. It looked a foul in our favour, even if given the other way an indirect free-kick for obstruction would have been the worst case scenario. But no, ref Mr Muir took it upon himself to point to the spot for a penalty to the home team. Heads were shaking on both touchlines and a watching referee was equally surprised, but Willaston accepted their gift and the penalty was slammed home for an unlikely lead. Other home players were clearly encroaching but the goal stood. The goal rocked us and we struggled to get a foothold in the game after it seemed our opening hard work had been so cruelly undone. If we could have held only a one goal deficit to the break we may have gotten something from |
