Ilford 3 –
Saffron Walden 2 – Essex Senior Cup
30th
September 2015, Cicklefield Stadium
A dull 0-0
draw for Walden just does not happen. This was yet another eventful match for
the Bloods. The match had it all; 2 red cards, a debut goalie, 3 penalties and
of course, Mrs Nash’s famous flannel.
We got to the ground
about an hour or so before kick-off. I was greeted by Malcolm’s smile and fan
favourite, Mrs Nash. I was introduced to the Ilford Board, who were very
accommodating and had a nice cup of tea and a biscuit.
For those
who do not know the ground. Cricklewood is a sports centre, so it was a bit
like entering a leisure centre. They have a full size running track around the
pitch, which meant that we could not stand behind the goal.
Sticksy
decided to rest a few players for Saturdays match against Godmanchester. Wig
was taking a well-earned break, but hopefully will return to the starting 11 on
Saturday.
Floyd Croll
was in goal. Defence: Solkhon, Lawrence (Beast), Reid and P Abbott. Midfield:
Murphy (The Boss), Harper, Fleming. Forwards: Crane (Road Runner), Turner (G
Man) and Thomas. Subs: Bell, Grindrod (The Viking), Noble (Nobby), Drane and
Snelling (Mashy)
We had heard
that Ilford had made a few changes to their starting 11. This was because they
have a FA Vase match against Woodbridge Town on Saturday.
First Half
Ilford
started the match in their Blue and White shirts. This meant that Walden could
play in Red and Black. Ilford’s first threat came from an early throw. The
throw was taken long and headed on, but the player was caught off side.
The Bloods first
attempt at goal came from a great ball by Reid, which was delivered into the 6
yard box. The Beast put pressure on the keeper, and forced him to stumble the ball,
to award the Bloods a corner. The corner was taken by Harper, but didn’t find
his intended target.
From that
corner, Ilford’s number 7 Armagh-Tackie broke well, and sprinted up the pitch
with the ball. He crossed the ball for Da Silva (who was a giant). Croll miss
kicked his clearance and the ball went out for a corner.
5 minutes in
and it was very evenly matched. The Bloods were given a free kick, after Thomas
was tripped over. The ball sailed into the mixer by Harper and Reid produced a
dangerous flick on, from his head, but there was no one to slot it home.
Now I have
to blog this Beast, and I am sorry, but how did you get knocked over by
Armagh-Tackie, who must have been a foot smaller and 3 stone lighter? Sorry I
had to mention that as the Bloods family were shocked. We love you really big
man.
8 minutes in
and Ilford struck first. I am not sure who it was who scored for Ilford.
Basically the ball was crossed to the striker, who was in space. He stuck the
ball perfectly, beating Croll’s dive. It was a very good finish.
Ilford's Armagh-Tackie was showing some very good defensive skills, as well as going
forward. He tracked back well and tackled the Boss, to stop a cross.
15 minutes
in and the Boss sent Road Runner up the wing, with a perfect pass. RR out ran
the left back. He went for a shot, but it was just too long. This was better
from Walden.
20 minutes
in and the Bloods were awarded a penalty. Atutis was sent off for trip on Thomas, in the
area. Now this caused a debate between the Bloods fans. Atutis was on a yellow
from a previous foul; however his foul on Thomas was not malicious. Personally
I thought the sending off was a little harsh.
Anyway, I am
not taking any credit away from the tricky Thomas. He stepped up and scored
from the spot. Well done James. 2 down 20 more to go!
Ilford seemed
determined to get back in the game. Armagh-Tackie had a great little run, but
was tackled by Solkhon. Armagh-Tackie fell to the ground and the keeper shouted
for a foul. No foul was given and Harper cleared the line well.
30 minutes
and Road Runner made another great run down the wing. He got into the box, but
it was well defended by Ilford for a corner. Harper tried to find Solkhon with
his cross, but Solkhon didn’t get a decent connection with the ball.
Turner was
looking hungry and controlled the ball well from a midfield position. He was
tripped but stayed on his feet, and made a lovely pass to Thomas. Thomas won us
a throw on for the Beast to take.
35 minutes
into the game and disaster hit. Warwick latched onto a miss placed pass back
and ran at the goal. Croll came of his line and clashed with Warwick, giving
Ilford a penalty. That was the good news! The bad news was that the referee
sent Croll off for the challenge! Now I wouldn’t want to be ‘disrespectful’ to
the match officials, but how was that a red card? It felt like he was just
trying to even up the teams. Croll held his head high and walked off the pitch.
We spoke to him as he came off, and he said there was no point arguing about
it, as the referee had made up his mind. Solkhon took the number 1 shirt with
no hesitation, as we didn’t have Soutar on the bench. He was playing for Essex
U18s. As you can imagine the flannel was out, and we almost had to get Mrs Nash
a towel.
Warwick took
the penalty well, and scored to make it 2-1 to Ilford. We were now down to 10 men, and had our left
back between the sticks. The Bloods fans starting singing ‘We love you Solkhon,
we do!’ even if he did look like he was wearing his Dad’s shirt. (See Pic).
Soon after
the penalty, Young had a great chance from long range, but it went over the
cross bar. Jamie ‘Schmeichel’ Solkhon had the ball well covered.
G Man made a
great run up the wing and got into the box. He got a shot in but it was well
saved by McAnaly, for a corner ball. The ball went over the keeper and found
the Beast. The Beast drove the ball in low and hard, for the Boss to tap in. It
was now 2-2 and I needed the flannel.
It was half
time and it was all go. I needed a drink! Off to the bar we went.
Second
Half
Wardley made
a half time substitution. Paul Abbott was replaced by Nobby. The Bloods wanted
to go for the win, rather than risk penalties, so they played a 3-3-3 formation or
it may have been 3-5-1.
The lads
came out of the blocks quickly, and got an early throw on for the Beast to
take. He threw the ball into the mixer, the ball was flicked on but the referee
called for a foul on the Ilford defender.
Ilford’s
number 9, Mullings had a good opportunity to score. He made a great run but Jamie
‘Schmeichel’ Solks had it well covered.
Soon after
Ilford’s shot, G Man showed some great skill with the ball at his feet. His shot was on target, but McAnaly made a
great save.
McAnaly was
on call again, and pulled off another great save to deny Thomas. The Beast made
a lovely forward pass, for Thomas to run onto. His shot was on target, but was
well saved by McAnaly.
15 minutes
into the second half and Road Runner was replaced by Bell. The Bloods looked
the better team, and played like it was all or nothing. Well played Craney.
Good to see you giving those defenders hell.
Ilford had a
good opportunity, to put pressure on Solks, but Reid got to the ball first and
headed it back to Solks. Jamie ‘Schmeichel’ Solks showed of his kicking power,
and almost released G Man on a threatening run.
Unfortunately
G Man was hurt from a challenged by Warwick, in the 18 yard box. It didn’t look
like a foul but he looked in a lot of pain. He managed to get a shot in, but it went over the
bar. Mayer ran on with the magic sponge to help G Man. G Man got back up and
tried to run off his injury.
67 minutes
into the match and Ilford’s Weber scored after Young hit the post. The ball
deflected back to Weber, and he made good of the opportunity. This felt like a
kick in the teeth, as the Bloods had been playing very well.
We kept on
pressing and were not giving up without a fight. The boss made a lovely pass
with his head, for Bell to run onto. Bell lobbed the ball over the defence, for
Thomas’ well timed run. His shot was blocked and we were awarded a corner kick.
70 minutes
into the match and G Man could not continue. Up steps the Viking as his replacement.
I hope you’re not too badly hurt G Man.
Mrs Nash’s
quote: ‘Go on Dan, give them hell!! Let’s go down fighting’ (obviously not
physically).
I am
actually seriously considering writing a mini-series called ‘Mrs Nash’s Bloods.
What this space!
Anyway back
to the action. Bell was tripped over and won the Bloods a free kick, 25 yards
out. Harper went for a shot and hit the cross bar. It was so unlucky and would
have been a smashing goal.
The Beast
got booked for a shoulder to shoulder challenge. No idea why he got a yellow
card?! The referee hadn’t booked anyone for a while, so he may have been bored.
How ‘disrespectful’.
10 minutes
to go and we won another corner. Fleming connected with the ball well, but the
Ilford defender got in the way. We called for a hand ball, but it was not given.
85 minutes
into the match and Bell was tripped in the box, and won us a penalty. I was interested
to see if the referee would get his red card out, but he didn’t. Thomas took
the penalty but McAnaly produced a great save, to deny Thomas a brace.
The Ilford
centre back was determined not to throw the lead away, and shouted at his
player to ‘switch on’ as Walden still looked like scoring. It’s good to see
that from the players.
Harper went
for another long range effort, but his shot was slightly wide.
Minutes to
go and we had a corner. Jamie ‘Schmeichel’ Solkhon ran from his goal line to
take part in the attack. Bell delivered a good corner, but it was just too high
for Solks.
We pushed
and pushed for that equiliser but it just did not happen. I am really proud of
the lads for giving it all that had. Even though we lost, the ‘Behind the goal
crew’ had a great evening. As always we stayed and clapped both teams off the field, and wished Ilford luck in the next round.
I am going
to give Fans Man of the Match to Jamie ‘Schmeichel’ Solkhon. As soon as Floyd
was sent off, he didn’t hesitate to take the number 1 shirt. Well done for
stepping up Jamie.
Next match
for the first team is away to Godmanchester. Now that will be a challenge. Can
we beat the potential league winners? I know we will bloody well try.
#upthebloods
#mrsnashsbloods
#jamieschmeichelsolks
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