PABLO OPENS HIS ACCOUNT TO SECURE A TERRIFIC AWAY WIN

On our 44 mile trip to Arlesey Town on Saturday our loyal supporters could have been forgiven for having a degree of trepidation about the League game ahead after all our hosts were 3rd in the table and had beaten us 2-0 at The Michael Anthony Stadium back in early August. In addition they were 8 places above us in the table and our results had been a bit up and down despite playing some great football.

However, there was no inferiority complex on our part as we started the game on the front foot with the home defence looking at times a bit shaky. With only 3 minutes on the clock we put together a lovely move which presented Blake Argent with a clear sight of goal but his effort went just wide of the far post. When Arlesey made a mistake in the 8th minute we took full advantage with the versatile Harry Jones (who put in a sterling performance at centre forward) picking out Pablo Kalamaras who slotted the ball past the keeper to give us an early lead. It was the 17 year old’s debut goal for the club and would later prove to be the winner. Score 0-1.

We were playing some great football with Dylan Fitzpatrick just failing at the far post to get on the end of great cross from Max Hercules in the 16th minute. Within the next 2 minutes Harry Jones had a couple of scoring opportunities firstly from a pass from Pablo and then from a misplaced pass from a home player, but unfortunately both missed the target.

The early goal seemed to stun our hosts and it took them a while to get into their stride and they didn’t win their first corner until the 40th minute but we defended really well and gave Josh Ameganvi plenty of protection and we reached half time relatively unscathed. HT Score 0-1.

We had a chance to double our lead 9 minutes into the second half when following a fine move involving Pablo Kalamaras the ball fell to Harry Jones whose lob over the stranded keeper cleared the bar. Arlesey upped their tempo and started to dominate possession but Ryan Sturges and his coaching team had set us up to withstand the pressure.

Midway through the second half there was a scare when a dangerous cross was sent to the far post but we managed to clear the danger. It was at times one way traffic but we kept our composure and Josh was not called into serious action until the 86th minute when following a long ball he had to make a game saving save. As the game entered its final moments our hosts started to bombard us with long balls and crosses but James Kimber and Liam Mann and then Dave O’Connor stood tall in central defence and despite nearly 10 minutes of added time we were able to see out the game with a morale boosting win. FT Score 0-1.

This was a terrific performance and result and was very much a team effort with Ryan and his Coaches getting their tactics just right and with the players carrying out their instructions to the letter. But we mustn’t get too carried away as this was just one result and we now need to string together some more good performances and start to pick up more league points.

We have some tough games coming up with a visit to Bishops Stortford on Tuesday for a Herts Senior Cup game and then on Saturday we entertain Colney Heath at the Michael Anthony Stadium for a Premier Division fixture. So why not come along and give the players plenty of support.

TEAM,
TA: Josh Ameganvi, Liam Mann (David O’Connor 65), James Kimber, Dylan Fitzpatrick, Pablo Kalamaras (Jonas Kalonda 79), Blake Argent (Bailey Osborne 85), Jack Harvey (Capt), Mason Clarke, Greg Deer, Max Hercules, Harry Jones (Dylan Whitelock 68). Sub not used: Lincoln Gilmartin.

Scorer

AT: -

TA: Pablo Kalamaras (8)

Crowd: 97