Abbott: Match report had been lost in the post
Delayed by a royal mail postal strike the match report arrived at the publishers desk a week late after the Surrey Cup encounter against Croydon Postal Athletic. Should have arranged a private courier with DHL.
Albion on a poor run of form went into the game on the back of three consecutive defeats. Two of the defeats had dumped them out of both local cups in the first round and the league defeat ended a long unbeaten stint in the competition. These were tough times for the Albion, times that required a response. In someway there was a resemblance to the current Arsenal campaign.
The injury list read: Vilem (sore knee or something); James (broken ribs); Duncan (hair in his eyes). Jindy was away entertaining someone or something in Scotland. Rich was still in fancy dress from the previous evenings antics… his whereabouts were unknown. Albion’s newest recruit Ralph was apparently re-reading his emails at home on the advice of Nick Evans…. the starting 11 consisted of an array of talent but unfortunately the team sheet has been lost in second class post and can’t be reproduced here. An online complaint has been logged with the Royal Mail.
Palac: Currently scouting for Chechen league clubs
After being given pitch 8 it was apparent any football that was going to be played would be best done so out wide on the wings, the actual position was just outside of centre given the pitch was so small. The warm up consisted of avoiding dog sh?t just outside the box, jumping over craters in the middle of the pitch all whilst been watched by a strange man all in leather with long hair. Perhaps a new scout from Eastern Europe looking to offer a few million for one of our speedy wingers to join Eto’o and co taking cash to play in a more minor league that the Southern Sunday Premier League. You know where its at Nick.
The game kicked off and Albion started well. The reformed defence appeared solid and much to the frustration of the opposition a number of decisions for 50/50 tackles went the albions way. Steve started to cause problems to the opposing right back, who whilst looking like a mini Jermaine Defoe, couldn’t handle Steve’s attempt to get close, have a little dance and pull the RB’s shirt.
After a few close tussles the presence of Steve clearly started to enrage the player and a yellow card came out for reacting to Steve’s physical presence. Before much action really around the pitch there was a regular occurrence of this tussle and this eventually lead to another, somehwhat harsh, yellow card for the right back. This meant a very very early shower and reduced the team to 10 with only 20 minutes or so played.
Leslie: Oppo didn't like it up 'em
The game should now have been albions to take to the opposition. A number of attacks down the right hand side with Nick and Don lead to a few chances where the ball was pulled across the goal and unfortunately no one was on the end to convert. The Postal were relatively well equipped at the back and also up front. Long ball tactics were employed and with speedy wingers and useful attackers were always threatening the albion goal on the break. The game was stop start with a number of little minor fouls around the middle of the park and a couple were given away in dangerous positions near the albion box. Whilst these were defended well and albion moved the ball around the park there was no final ball to put position into the right place to test the keeper.
Ten minutes before half time a speculative shot from deep was spilled by Bill and a reacting centre forward beat the defence to the rebound and put the postal service 1 up. This raised the spirits of the opposition and up until half time shut up shop and gave nothing away to the albion..
Half time was subdued and the gaffa gave a good speech about how much we now had to dig ourselves out of the mire. postal were clearly in the mood to cause an upset after going one up with a man down.
The second half saw albion going into the wind and this caused many difficulties with getting out of our own half an for periods found ourselves trapped in the latter third. The opposition continued to cause problems on the counter and were certainly not afraid to shoot on sight from distance. This broke up the game as the wide efforts would run away down to the road and take time to collect and resume. Unfortunately a lack lustre second half by the albion fizzled out and few chances were created. A second round exit for Albion in the Surrey Cup.