There is a touch of déjà vu about our results in August last year compared to the same month this season as they are both remarkably similar. In the pre-season friendlies and July games in both years we performed well but we hit a bad patch when August came along. In 2024 we won just 1 of our 6 games in August scoring 7 goals and conceding 12 whilst this August we have done marginally better winning 2 games, scoring and conceding 9 goals in our 6 games. Of course, it takes a while for a team to settle into a pattern at the start of the season and we can take heart from the fact that we ended up finishing in the runners up spot last season so lets hope we can replicate that form.

We have a decent record at Winslow losing just 2 of our 11 visits there but they look much stronger this season so we knew it was going to be a tough evening for us. However, we got off to a cracking start playing some nice football and dominating possession. We deservedly took the lead on the half hour mark when Max Hercules twisted and turned to evade his marker then clipped into Winslow’s area a delightful cross which Finn Rolfe headed home. Score 0-1.

Unfortunately our lead lasted for only 2 minutes when a sloppy pass out of our defence was picked up by Winlsow’s leading scorer Harry Scott who smashed the ball past Josh Ameganvi for the equaliser which was against the run of play. Score 1-1.

The goal greatly perked up the home side who pushed forward and went close a couple of times and we were relieved to hear the half time whistle although it was disappointing to go in on level terms after making such a good start to the game. HT Score 1-1.

The second half got off to a scrappy start as both teams battled for supremacy with few scoring chances at either end although a terrible defensive mistake in the 55th minute gifted Ethan Flanagan with a great chance which he wafted over. We had our opportunities with Bailey Osborne just failing to get on the end of a long throw from Harry Jones and Josh Chamberlain cracked a fierce shot which brought a good save from the home keeper.

The ice was broken in the 78th minute with a superb left foot strike from sub Flinn Filler which gave Josh no chance. Score 2-1. We pushed forward and Ed Daffren forced the Winslow keeper to tip away his shot. With 3 minutes of normal time left Winslow’s giant centre forward had an easy tap in from a cross to seal our fate. FT Score 3-1.

Winslow are a very good team and they are on a superb run of results with 5 consecutive wins during which they have scored 19 goals. They now occupy top spot in the table and they will be strong challengers for promotion. We have now dropped down to 8th in the table 5 points behind Winslow but we have a game in hand and we are more than capable of going on a long winning run so we are far from out of it.

We are without a game on Saturday but we are due to meet Colney Heath on Tuesday 2nd September at the Michael Anthony Stadium in the Herts Charity Shield (Quarter Final) a cup we won last season so that would be a great opportunity to get back to winning ways.

TEAM
TA: Josh Ameganvi, Mason Clarke, Dylan Fitzpatrick (Harry Jonres 64), George Carbery, Greg Deer, Luke Peerless (Harry Beaumont 71), Finn Rolfe (Frankie Hercules 71), Harry Shepherd (Josh Chamberlain 66), Jack Harvey (Capt), Max Hercules, Bailey Osborne (Edwin Daffren 71).

Scorers:

WU: Harry Scott (32), Flinn Filler (78), Ethan Flanagan (87)

TA: Finn Rolfe (30)

Crowd: 171