IS DOC THE NEW LIONEL MESSI?

After our good run of form came to an end on Wednesday night, when we were unlucky to lose 1-0 away against St Panteleimon, we had a chance 3 days later to reverse the result at home. Having lost our 3 previous games against our guests we also had a chance to notch a win at the 4th attempt.

Normally when teams meet again just a few days apart the second game is usually a tight affair because they know each other’s strengths and weaknesses (a good example of this was the 2 recent games against Cockfosters).

Fortunately, that wasn’t the case on Saturday as this was in the main an open game in which we ran out deserved 3-2 winners with the highlight being our 3rd and what turned out to be our winning goal scored by Dave O’Connor. Having gone up for a corner DOC received the ball on the edge of the area then showed great skills to slip it through the defenders’ legs and then smash a left foot shot that gave the keeper no chance. It was reminiscent of the skills displayed by a certain little Argentinian who has a penchant for nutmegging defenders.

The game got off to a bright start with Frankie Hercules clearing off the line a header from the opposition centre back Toib Adeyemi with only 3 minutes gone. We responded soon afterwards with a lovely move started by Dave O’Connor to Harry Shepherd who released Lee Stobbs down the right who then crossed to Frankie Hercules to shoot narrowly wide.

Early on Max Hercules latched onto a poor back pass but was not able to lob the stranded keeper then Harry Shepherd saw his shot deflected into the side netting following a fine move. We were playing really well and following a corner in the 20th minute the ball was cleared and then played back into our opponent’s area where George Carbery was waiting to slot a shot through the keepers legs to open the scoring. Score 1-0.

Just passed the half hour mark our opponents leading scoring Courtney Massey smashed a shot well over the bar after being picked out by a fine cross. A few minutes later St Panteleimon equalised when following a bad bounce the ball fell to a visiting player who cracked a fierce shot into the corner. It was a fine finish and demonstrated yet again how teams at the top of the table take their opportunities when they come their way. Score 1-1.

Four minutes before half time we went close to taking the lead when Liam Smyth cut in from the right wing then smashed a shot against the post. After a fairly even first 45 minutes we went in at half time all square. HT Score 1-1.

Not sure what Ryan Sturges and his coaching team put in the half time cuppas but the lads came out for the second half with all guns blazing and took the lead again within 2 minutes. Liam Smyth flicked on a free kick to send Max Hercules through and he superbly lobbed the keeper. This was his 11th of the season which just edges him past his brother Frankie in the leading scorer’s stakes. Score 2-1.

We were not resting on our laurels and following a corner the visitors keeper Lincon Marques, who made a string of fine saves on Wednesday, denied Dave Connor with his legs then 3 minutes later tipped a shot from Jack Harvey round the post.

But then cometh the hour, cometh the man as Dave O’Connor stepped up to the mark (sorry about the cliches!!) to score a memorable Messi type goal in the 56th minute to give us a commanding lead. Score 3-1.

Our opponents pushed forwards looking to find a way back into the game with their main danger man Massey heading a good chance over. That left their defence vulnerable to our quick breaks with Frankie Hercules shooting into the side netting when he would normally score and promising new signing Freddie Moriarty firing a shot just wide of the far post. Later Jonah Howgego also went close.

Our guests pushed us back on defence in a frantic attempt to get a goal back and although there were some anxious moments we looked strong in defence. St Panteleimon did pull another goal back in the 95th minute to give the score line a closer look than it should have been but it was too little too late as within seconds the Referee blew the final whistle. FT Score 3-2.

This was as superb all round team performance against a top side but we should mention the contribution made by the midfield trio of Jack Harvey, Harry Shepherd and Noah Butler who all worked their socks off and did a great job in protecting our defence as well as setting up our attacks. We should also mention how pleasing it was to see 5 teenagers on the pitch which is a tribute to the successful youth development structure we have in the club.

As a result of the 3 points collected we moved up 4 places to 7th and whilst there is still a bit of a gap between us and the 2 teams above us (Harpenden are 4 points and FC Romania are 8 points ahead) if we keep plugging away and keep picking up points we could challenge for a top 5 place.

The win certainly did our close neighbours and friends Leverstock Green a big favour as they jumped above St Panteleimon into 3rd place after their terrific 2-1 home win over top of the table Real Bedford, who up to then had lost only 1 league game this season.

We have 2 home games coming up this week at the Michael Anthony Stadium with Buckingham FC the visitors on Tuesday for Challenge Trophy cup tie then on Saturday we entertain Biggleswade United in the Premier Division Cup. So lets hope we can attract plenty of support for these games.

Team:

TA: Owen Brooks-Tonkin, Lee Stobbs, Harry Jones, George Carbery (Capt), Dave O’Connor, Jack Harvey, Noah Butler (Charlie Bradshaw 90), Harry Shepherd (Greg Deer 80), Max Hercules (Harrison Mead 82), Frankie Hercules (Jonah Howgego 73), Liam Smyth (Freddie Moriarty 65).

Scorers:

TA: George Carbery (20), Max Hercules (47), Dave O’Connor (56)

SP: Unknown (36), (90+5)

Crowd: 79