3rd XI Old Dorkingians 1- 2 COXA 3s
Sam Michael
Ben Dakin
Dom McLoughlin, Stan Christoforou, Dom Taggart, Liam Thornton, Matt Drury, Jacob Browne, Ben Dakin, Danny Peace, Ben O’Brien, Tom Macgregor, Sam Michael. Sean Slater, Conor Keable.
This was our first real test of the season. The pitch was atrocious and playing 2 touch football and playing out from the back was tough for us, and the other team were twice the size of us and launched balls into the box. It was games like this that we lost last season which is why it felt like a great win when the final whistle was blown.
Though the pitch was awful and everyone was misplacing passes and taking dodgy touches, we persisted with our brand of football and scored 2 goals of real quality; a brilliant front post finish from S man after some great wing play from Tom, and Sam turning provider with a fantastic back post cross finished by Ben Dakin.
We went in at half time optimistic, in seasons gone by this would have been 0-0 at half time and people would have been moaning and growing frustrated, not this time however, we were clinical with our chances and put ourselves in a great position to win the game.
The second half was a different story however, we were on the back foot from minute one. The oppo kept to their game plan of back post crosses from deep and no less than 5 mins into the second half they scored a towering back post header. We panicked slightly and started sending a few long balls over the top which really isn’t our game, but it was the first time this season we had been put under any real pressure. As the oppo pushed for an equaliser though, we really should have finished off 2 or 3 chances on the counter, shout out to Dom who was beaten in the air for the oppo goal and then missed a chance from 3 yards out to put the game to dead. He knew from that moment it was whitey time after the match. Other notable chances fell to Jacob, Dakin, Tom and Peacy (who’s free kick crashed off the crossbar from 25 yards!) Though there were a few scares late on, particularly a last minute free kick for which the oppo manager subbed his biggest player on just for the last free kick, we managed to grind the win out.
For the regular readers it’s time for Liam watch. This week he almost snapped the oppo CB in half in a 50/50 (don’t mind that) yellow card. He then went on to tell the ref how bad a decision it was.. second yellow for dissent. This leaves the scores at yellow cards 3, goals 1. Will Liam keep his mouth shut and manage to score more goals then yellow cards? Stay tuned.
Overall the mood was very positive after the game, we now have 2 weeks of cup matches so hopefully we can keep the winning run going.
Up the Clapham.

4th XI
'Our 9 game winning run comes to an end but the boys are still in great spirits'
That was rubbish! We weren't rubbish, they weren't particularly great...but that was rubbish.
The game started so well...we got a new kit, we were all on time...that was fine. We even had the first shot on goal when Dave 'Scottish speedster' Hamilton skinned their fullback and beat the keeper, only for a defender to clear off the line.
However, after getting pinted after the game, we slurred to agree that we missed a few players in key positions, so even though we tried to play the high tempo game that we normally do...it just wasn't coming off.
What's the best time to score a goal? Just before half time! When's the WORST time to concede???...its OK, the answer is still the same. Shut the front door!!! I hate conceding at the best of times (see 5-0 up in the cup a few weeks back), but this really drove a dagger into the heart of the COXA team. More pinted than I've been in a while, I have come to accept that it was a decent strike and there wasn't much I could do about it.
Second half started and we were better...but couldn't muster much in the way of chances. Tommy broke his football boot so had to go off...only to come back on with odd boots.
1-0 became 2-0 after some tippy tappy football and a through ball that would have made Iniesta jizz a little and a finish to match.
Chasing the game was on the menu, but CPR were closed for business. Break away chances for CPR called for some smart saves from the COXA keeper.
However, the best moment of the match came when CPR kicked the ball out of play. Buckerfield chases the ball INTO THE JEFFIN POND. Up to his waist. His words...'meh...its better than what was going on,on the pitch'.
Final whistle. Boooo...ref was crap...and all that rubbish.

VETS
A 4-2 defeat to Warlingham Vets in the first appearance of the season at County Road for the Vets. An excellent goal by Matt Cefai following a Jason Quin cross meant the teams were level after an even and competitive first half. A number of substitutions and an injury to Steve Gordon in saving a certain goal meant COXA then lost control and shape during a strong showing by the opposition in the second half. A neat finish by Jonas Lis the only response. Excellent support from VIPs on the touchline and a good drink afterwards however. Thanks to the VIPs for their support and hospitality! A cup match this Saturday at Westerham to focus on now.