Despite brilliant football in the first half, the Albion fell to newly promoted and traditional Clapham South squad, Huracan, 4-6. Not the most auspicious start for the league stalwarts at 0-2, but there were certainly some good takeaways from the match. This week’s Henri Leconte winner, Duncan Twigg, breaks down the match.
Walking across the common early on a September morning, dark clouds were looming above, and with a bit of a chill in the air, this felt like a good day to be playing football. A little more suited to the Albion’s mediocre fitness levels than the stifling heat of 25 degrees in the previous game against Machico. Unable to use the usual luxurious changing facilities, Albion changed pitchside, leading to major issues amongst the team such as how to change without getting wet feet; we’re a hardy bunch at Albion these days.
Gramma Twigg, proud Albion supporter and kit washer
With the kit neatly folded in number order, and emanating a sweet fresh aroma, spirits were high, even if Bill thought it smelled like a grandma’s bathroom. You just can’t please some people.
The team: Bilbo Baggins in nets, a defence of Slater left back, Myles and Aleks in center, and the Donfather was particularly happy to find out he was playing right back after scoring two goals up front last week. In midfield we had Johnny on left, Ralph and Matt in center and Nick Milne on right. James O’Brien and Steve up top. Dunc on bench.
Like previous games, the Albion started brightly, playing a neat passing game with everyone getting a touch, lots of balls to feet and spreading the ball nicely. Again as in previous games, with plenty of possession it wasn’t long before we started creating chances, with Matt and Nick both putting in some good balls, as well has having a crack from just outside the box. Johnny on the left was also making some great driving runs and unlucky not to score after unleashing a fearsome shot towards top corner that just missed the target. In the middle James and Steve were providing some great link up play, with intelligent runs and neat touches. Between these two there were great openings. Firstly Matt whipped in ball to front post where James O’B got in front of his man to flash to ball past the keeper, but unfortunately the ball bounced back out off underside of the crossbar. Then after great turn and run cutting in from left, James O’B, with a chance to shoot, unselfishly squared to Steve. Unfortunately he got the ball stuck in his feet, and with Huracan defenders swarming back we couldn’t get a shot away.
With all the possession and chances going Albion’s way, it was surprising that Huracan went ahead with one of their first forays into the Albion half. Up to this point the Albion defence had been solid as a rock playing a great line, with excellent shape and communication. However, with a stroke of fortune, a Huracan free kick from just inside the half was floated into the box, and although the header was won by Ralph, it managed to fly backwards past a stranded Bill off his line and Myles didn’t quite have long enough legs to clear it of the line. 0-1
However, it wasn’t long before Albion were back on level terms, with Matt receiving the ball in the middle of the park, dribbling out wide to the left and firing in a vicious cross shot that sneaked into the top corner. Despite looking slightly sheepish, Ronaldinho take note, Matt nevertheless embraced the wild celebrations that followed. 1-1.
Barker: Confident his shinned goals are more emphatic
Half-time came and despite not being ahead, everyone was feeling pretty good having dominated the half. Even Jade could hardly find a fault in the play, and remarked it was some of the best football he’d seen in a couple of years. This may have something to do with being an Arsenal supporter though.
After such optimism at half-time, the second half couldn’t have got off to a worse start. Huracan managed to get the ball forward quickly, and with the box full, managed to sneak a cross through the middle of everyone to a man waiting round the back, who with a shinned finish a certain Mr Barker would have been proud of, knocked the ball back across the face of the goal into the far corner. 1-2.
Albion, though disappointed, pressed on with their passing game, enjoying the lion’s share of possession with Matt and Ralph dominating the midfield, restricting Huracan to hopeful long balls forward. It was from one of these that Huracan scored again. With the ball knocked over the defence, a seemingly innocuous ball skidded of the wet turf and skipped passed an onrushing Bill, leaving the Huracan forward to tap into an open goal. A very fortunate goal. 1-3.
The goals were coming thick and fast, and they didn’t let up there. Albion continued to press both with some tidy passing through the middle, as well as Nick and Johnny bombing down the wings. From one of these passages, Steve found the ball in the box, and after drawing the centre backs to him, squared the ball to James O’B for an easy tap in. It was all so simple it seemed like maybe the tide was turning. 2-3.
As Albion continued having much of the possession in the Huracan half, the scoreline then turned from bad to worse, with two quickfire goals slightly dampening the Albion spirits. Despite playing so well going forward, momentary lapses in concentration when losing the ball proved our downfall. On both occasions it was a quick ball forward, with the Huracan winger managing to get in behind the defence, firstly squaring the ball for an easy tap in, and then smashing the ball into the top near corner from an acute angle. 2-5.
Twigg: In goal scoring form again
It was around this time that Matt, who for long periods of the game had dictated the Albion play, pulled up with a hamstring injury, forcing Duncan, much to his pleasure, to come on in a slightly unfamiliar center midfield role. He was soon in amongst the action, and only a couple of minutes later Nick M won a corner, which he delivered perfectly to the back post for Dunc to rise and nod in past a helpless keeper. Maybe, just maybe we could get back into it. Stranger things have happened on the hallowed turf of Clapham Common. 3-5.
As the game wore on, the tired legs were starting to show, and it was end to end stuff as the game opened up even more. Albion again pressed forward, desperate to pull another goal back, and it was a slight bit of fortune for us this time that got the goal. With the ball played up through center midfield, James received to ball on the right hand side of the box, and lofted a lovely chipped cross to the back post which stunned everybody as it found its way into the top corner. 4-5. Quick get the ball, we can do this!
Alas, it wasn’t to be, as soon after, Huracan intercepted a pass in the center circle and swept forward for another cross and tap in, finally extinguishing Albion hopes. 4-6.
A game that had started so brightly with so much hope, ended in frustration against a team we should really have beaten. Huracan are a decent enough team with a solid back line and clinical finishers up top, but I think even they were surprised to come away with a win against an Albion side who dominated possession for large periods of the game and created so many chances. After the game we mulled it over that it perhaps felt worse to lose having played so well, rather than deserving to lose playing badly. However, now the dust has settled, there are so many positives to take from playing such good football that we can’t be too disappointed with ourselves. If we stay as solid in defence as we did for much of the first half, and cut out the silly lapses in concentration, then I can’t see us shipping anywhere near that many goals again. And in attack, there’s not much more we need to do really other than converting any one of the numerous chances we are creating every game. Just be a bit more clinical. One of these games it’s gonna click and we’ll dish out a spanking to someone!
Let’s just hope it’s sooner rather than later.