SWTFC Weekly Roundup: Mixed fortunes, a hat trick and a potential new pitch

 

Kaleel Green (him again) took his tally to 20 goals for the season this week

 

It’s rarely a quiet week being a fan of a non-league club, with notable events both on and off the pitch this week.

The week started well, with a thumping 5-0 victory over bottom side Frenford at the Lane. Buoyed by the memorable display at Woodford on Friday evening, we came into this match full of confidence.

Despite the fact that we had to start the match 10 minutes late, we started on the front foot and never really looked like achieving anything else other than three points. Toheeb Elegushi looked lively throughout and shot just wide in the early exchanges.

The only surprise was that it took us as long as we did to take the lead – 25 minutes had passed with near-total Walden domination before Jordy Gent headed the ball onto Kaleel Green, who took his shot early, a powerful low drive in at the goalkeeper’s near post.

The lead was doubled shortly after as Toheeb took on his man brilliantly before cutting the ball back for Fahad, captain for the evening, to finish with a low shot, and Kaleel made it three on 35. He was released down the right by Jeff Cobblah and looked to get a cross into the box, but fortunately he mishit the ball and it flew straight into the back of the net (yes, it was a cross, he admitted it to me after the match!)

Despite having a couple of half-chances, especially early into the second half, Frenford rarely threatened, even through top scorer and former Blood Correy Davidson.

Kaleel then punished them for missing their chances by making it four on the hour mark. A defensive error allowed our number 9 to poke the ball past the keeper before keeping his composure to finish in an empty net. Surprises me that this is his first ever hat trick for the Bloods considering how many goals he has scored for us – 20 this season and, I believe, 30 since signing for us in February.

A fifth goal arrived thanks to Robbie Allen, the substitute scoring a deserved first Bloods goal as he beat his man down the right before scoring a well-taken low shot past the keeper and into the far corner.

The full-time whistle blew ten minutes later, signalling a well-deserved win and a much-needed clean sheet.

“It was great to get a hat trick”, Kaleel said after the match. “I got a bit fortunate with the second goal but they all count! Got the win and a clean sheet which is all that matters.”

So a win on the board going into the second half of the week, which started on Thursday with an announcement that there will be a meeting on 14^th December to explore the possibility of installing a 3G pitch at Catons Lane.

Some feel passionately for or against it, I’m not going to do a lengthy analysis, passionately explaining why we should or shouldn’t have a 3G pitch – mainly because I like to sit on the fence and offer neutral views from the eyes of a supporter and volunteer at the club – but also because I’m pretty neutral in my views – there are positives and negatives to it.

This is why we have these meetings, to gain the opinion of members and fans, and there will be a vote on the 14^th to get a general consensus. Speaking to a few players, they seem to be split – some love the idea while others cannot stand playing on those surfaces, and I’m a believer that we should consider the viewpoints of the players, because even at non-league, football is about getting positive results, especially at home. That’s all I’ll say on the matter for now…

Back to on-pitch matters, and we were back at home on Saturday. Sal Nassor missed this one having been substituted in midweek, maybe due to an injury but not sure. Fin Barden started this one, and Tom Skelton made his return from the bench having been an unused substitute in midweek, not wanting to risk further injury. I learned before the match that Ryan Auger has left the club, so wishing him all the best in wherever he ends up next.

To keep it short, we started horrendously and were 2-0 down thanks to a thumping header from a corner, and a through ball which the striker ran onto and finished well. In the eyes of fans I was standing with, this felt like a repeat of the heavy defeat at home to Buckhurst Hill two weeks before, but to the players’ credit, we kept going and were unlucky to score. Kaleel saw the keeper off his line and tried his luck from 40 yards but Ensign’s number 1 got back well to save. Sam Deering then went close from a free kick and Jordy hit the woodwork in the second half, but it was not our day. We played much better than Buckhurst Hill but still a couple of things to address.

Next week is the big one – FA Vase third round at home to Great Yarmouth. To say we need a massive crowd would be an understatement, they will be bringing a coachload of fans. We’ve already had a few memorable results in the Vase this year, and we know what a rocking Catons Lane can do for player confidence so we need plenty of locals in attendance. If you’re reading this, spread the word!

As always, Up the Bloods.