This game was also to have been played at home but with no ground we had to switch to the oppositions ground, Pan have won the league only dropping 2 points so far so this was probably going to be the hardest game that we have played this season, we needed a point to guarantee our status as a white division team for next season.

Once again we only just had 12 players a bit dissappointing when it was such a vital game for us but hey we never like to do things the easy way at the raiders, the game started and both teams were passing and moving nicely but the tigers seemed to have the bit between their teeth and really looked up for this game, most of the action was in midfield and just about pushing onto the raiders defence but no real dramas when a couple of corners were awarded to pana and through one of these pana scored when the raiders didnt clear the ball and a high lofted shot dropped in over jordans head and in  0-1 to pana, the raiders looked a little down after the goal as they didnt deserve to be behind, the raiders rallied and after some pressure on pana’s back 4 sean went close with an effort that just crept pass the upright,not long after robson had an effort ruled out for a foul on the keeper which seemed to be a bit of a harsh decision, at half time it was 0-1.

The second half started positively with lots of pressure from the raiders but again we were punished for a mistake a poor clearance was slotted back past a despairing jordan 0-2 unbelievable, after that there was a mad 5 minutes where the raiders went to pieces and pana struck again 0-3, at this point we were dreading what the score was going to be but the resolve of the raiders was about to be shown, robson scored our first with aneat finish from 6 yards out after a cross by drew so 8 mins left and who knows what will happen next when another driving run from drew forced pana on to the back foot, a poor clearance by  pana alowed irfan to get in around the back and find a great finish 2-3, could the miracle comeback be on, No the ref blew the whistle.

What a game, now i know  why i’m staying next season

Everyone arrived in good time. In fact we were up and training and Finchley were still arriving. This could be a good omen. Then the heavens opened and the wind started to blow. The rain was lashing down which in fact did help the pitch. The surface was very bare down the middle and very long on the wings, the rain might well us.

We had all 10 players available today. Jon has done a great job during the season juggling the boy’s appearances. With all the boys playing in at least 16 leagues matches. Jon started this match with Ahmed, Blair and Deon on the bench. They would be needed as Finchley also had 4 subs available to use and the first match at the Walker was a very close match with the Tigers get edging it one nil.

Finchley kicked off playing down the slope and immediately you could see we were in for a tough challenge. However, slowly the boys got into the game. Jamie and Didi combining really well and Kyle and Brandon working hard on the left.

Didi had couple of good runs which came to nothing.

Finchley were pressing us but really not creating clear cut chances. We then gain a throw in on the half way line. Lewis wound up for a long throw Jamie clipped the ball on to Didi who was running at pace. Didi beat the last defender and coolly slotted the ball home past the keeper into the far corner. Meanwhile the referee was still on half way line tying the boots of a Finchley player. The referee did not blow his whistle to stop the game, the boys played on so the goal stood, a very bizarre goal.

Finchley kicked off, it was still raining heavily, they started to pressure us a little more and Harry made a good save from a long range shot and we cleared the corner. The game was even balanced. Didi broke clear down the right again and this time his shot cannoned off left hand post with the keeper well beaten.

For the next 2-3 minutes Finchley piled on the pressure, the slope helping them to pin us in our own half. Today, the boys were competing and battling well all over the pitch. Physically we up for the match with Brandon winning some good tackles and playing some good balls through to Kyle and Jamie.

We had played 23 minutes in the 1^st half and Jon made his first change, with Ahmed replacing Rayo. The first half finally came to an end and the rain started to ease off. At half time Jon told the boys to keeping going and keep it tight at the back. Deon came on for Kyle.

We kicked off the 2^nd half with the slope. The boys started very well with some excellent inter-passing on both wings and Jamie was starting to get a grip of the midfield. However we still were not creating chances. We gained a throw in on the left hand side Jamie’s throw reached Ahmed who let the ball run across his body before firing in a low stinging shot from outside the box. The ball skipped off the grass straight through the keepers legs into the back of the net. This gave us a two goal cushion and Jon started to smile.

Then we conceded a free kick just outside the box. Harry lined up the 3 man wall. The Finchley player struck an excellent shot over the wall, but Harry was on hand and tipped the shot on to the bar and out for a corner. The Corner was swung in to the near post only for Harry to punch it clear. We finally cleared the ball up field. The close call seem to kick us into an attacking frenzy.

The boys were starting to play well. The passing was crisp and swift and we were cutting Finchley apart. It was just a matter of time before we struck the third.

Blair replaced Brandon on the left of defense.

Another great interchange of play down the right and the ball eventually feel to Ahmed in the box, a great first touch and then bang, the ball was in the back of the net 3-0.

Finchley pressed forward and never gave up, but we repelled them well and held fast at the back. Lewis even had time to make two surging runs over the half way line. The fourth goal was a classic and might win goal of the month. We built the play from the back with Lewis finding Didi with a neat ball down the right. Didi skipped past the defender and drove to the by line, as the defense closed him down the Oakhill players attacked box. Didi sent over a perfectly timed pass that found Jamie free, with one swift “Ronaldo” flick  nutt-megged the keeper to make 4-0.

The shots were now raining in on the Finchley goal, with Deon, Rayo and Jamie all having good efforts saved by the keeper. Finally it was left to Ahmed to finish off another great move and claim an hat trick with another well struck shot from the edge of the box.

The title was ours on goal difference. Played 18 won 13 drawn 2 lost 2 for 64 against 9.

Well done to Jon for all the hard work and his patience over the season. Congratulations to all the squad Harry, Lewis, Brandon, Deon, Blair, Jamie, Didi, Kyle, Rayo & Ahmed. Well done and thanks to all the parents for the support during a long season.

Hopefully we can keep the management and the squad together for next season and the coming years, as they all have great potential. 

Chris  

Our game this week was against Comets this game should have been at home 2 weeks ago but due to the fact we didnt have a ground to use and the opposition had asked for a free weekend from the league it was rescheduled for a mid week game.

We only had 12 players for this game and seeing that we had been beaten by Comets only 3 weeks ago(6-1) it looked like being a real uphill task, but the belief in the raiders after recent performances was ther for everyone to see, the kicked off and it was all pretty much one way traffic from the raiders with several chances going begging and after about 15 mins Sean opened the scoring with a brilliant run and finish, this seemed to awaken a few of the opposition and stir up a desire to want to battle but the raiders played a brilliant game kept their shape and defended really wel just before halftime sean was put through and finished superbly to make it 2-0.

After half time Comets were reduced to 10 men after one of their players went of injured, again the raiders carried the game to the opposition and were on the front foot, battling all around the pitch from the forwards back to the defence,after about 20 mins the raiders scored their third thru jamael with a beautiful finish, heads began to drop on the opposition and with only a couple of minutes left sean completed his hat trick 4-0. The man of the match for this game was irfan kapadia.

Our game this week was against our old foes Borehamwood Yth, we have had some great games with them over the past few years and this one was not going to be any different, we only had 13 players on the day and one of those then had to pull out of the game due to illness, the game kicked off 10 mins late and the Raiders started the game like an express train the first 5 mins was all the Raiders but there was no joy infront of goal, it wasn’t long before B/wood were back in the game and after about 10 mins of attack and counter attack B/wood were awarded a harsh penalty which they scored 1-0, the Raiders didn’t let their heads drop and started the attacking again but before we knew it a long ball over the top and bang B/wood score again 2-0, unbelievable the Raiders have been commited and playing good football but are 2 goals down and are up against it, just before half time LEO launches a long throw into B/woods area and DIMI is on hand to head the ball over the keeper 2-1 game on.

After half time it was B/wood who started like a rocket and within 2 mins of the start we were 3-1 down, it looked like the game was over for the Raiders heads started to drop and the Raiders needed an injection of something from somewhere so step up JAMAEL who with a great run and finish made it 3-2 so game on again, but B/wood didnt just lay down they made changes and pushed on and scored totally against the run of play with a dubious off side decision 4-2 can you believe it, but the Raiders weren’t finished either and they pulled together and worked hard played some slick football and managed to carve out a great opening for SEAN to score the Raiders 3rd goal 4-3 and 8 mins left what a game, with the Raiders pushing on and looking for an equaliser it left them open at the back and B/wood scored again but this time the linesman flag did come to the rescue OFFSIDE,with the Raiders looking for another goal there was corner after corner and attempt after attempt but to no avail the game finished 4-3.

The man of the match was LEO HART who played centre back not his normal position and was outstanding, the only down side to the game was that ROBSON BEMBRIDGE suffered a suspected broken toe and will miss the rest of the season.               

Goal scorers; Alex G, Sharif

Before this double header, we talked about taking all 6 points on offer, but as a minimum, we needed to take at least 3 points in order to confirm our third place in the league.

Before the first game started, both teams impeccably observed a 1 minute silence, in memory of a player from Enfield Rangers U14’s, who lost his life in a road accident very recently. It really does put football into perspective, when something like that happens.

There was not much to choose between the teams for much of the first half, with both sides squandering chances, but the deadlock was broken when Alex G stepped up to take a direct free-kick from 25 yards, and his splendid shot/lob dipped in just under the bar, with the Whetstone goal-keeper unable to keep it out.

Half-time. 1-0.

Within 2 minutes of the re-start, Sharif fired in his third goal in as many games and doubled our lead.

We could and should have added to our lead, but the Whetstone goal-keeper was having a great game, and refused to be beaten, pulling off a string of fine saves to keep us out.

At the final whistle, we knew our third place in the league had been confirmed, and the pressure was off!

Oakhill Tigers U14 Bengals 2 v Whetstone Wanderers 2

Goal scorers; Alex G, Nick X

I had already decided that if we won the first game, I would use this second game to mix things up a bit, and with a number of Bengals playing in unfamiliar positions, it was no real surprise when Whetstone took the lead. To our credit though, everyone kept working, and Alex G slotted his second of the day to put us back on level terms.

Our second goal was scored by Nick X (who was playing up front at the time) when a well struck long range free kick from Joe forced the goal-keeper to spill the ball and Nick was on hand to smash the ball into the roof of the net from very close range.

Notwithstanding the positional changes we’d made, we continued to attack, but were unable to add to our tally.

Whetstone pulled a goal back in added time, but there was to be no repeat of our last match and despite a number of subsequent chances, we failed to pinch the winner, with Jack going close on at least 2 occasions.

All in all, a 2-2 draw was a fair result, with us playing boys out of position, and the opposition having a squad of 17 to rotate from.

As I said at the end of match two, I have been delighted with the vast majority of the performances we have put in this season; every Bengal has contributed, and without exception improved in terms of their fitness level, technical ability and general/tactical team play.

In terms of our 22 game league campaign, the record shows that we won 12, drew 5 and lost 5, giving us a tally of 41 points. We’ve scored 83 goals and conceded 50.

I’ll be putting together a more detailed review of our season in due course, but in the meantime, I’ll look forward to seeing you all at our presentation evening on 15 May at the Walker ground – 8pm start.

Come on you Bengals!

Brian

Panther’s goal scorers, Dan Pugh (1) Callum Berrell (1)

Man of the Match Jake Keaney 

The final league match of what has been a challenging season.

We again were under strength, this time we had 10 players, but only 9 present at the kick off.

The match kicked off at 10 ‘0’ clock on a sunny morning in Ruislip.

The boys realising it was the end of the season finally played with a lot of confidence, and it was fair to say, were definitely up for it.

Even though we were a couple of players down at the kick off, you couldn’t tell, we more than held our own, and were unlucky when a shot from Jake Keaney hit their cross bar.

We kept good possession and were making good progress, with Dan P James Wauchope and Dan Headland looking particularly dangerous in attack, but unfortunately we couldn’t convert the chances that we created, and were punished when Northwood scored 3 goals unanswered.

At that point our heads could have gone down, but the boys showed a great deal of character, and scored twice, the first from Dan Pugh and the 2^nd from Callum who scored his 1^st goal for the club from a corner, to leave us a goal down at half time.

The boys new they shouldn’t be losing, and couldn’t wait to get back on the pitch,

Unfortunately the opposition were given a good talking to, from their manager, and as the second half began, it was evident that they really meant business.

Our defenders in Jamal, William, Callum and Henry were put under a great deal of pressure, and our stand in keeper Ronak was increasingly called on to make saves and last gasp clearances.

Inevitably the pressure told and Nortwood scored 4 goals without reply from us,

But this didn’t reflect the way the match went in the second half, because for long spells in the game we more than held our own, causing their keeper to make saves from Jamal, Dan Pugh, James and Dan Headland, but we just couldn’t convert or make the opening that our efforts deserved.

The Sun Postal Sports and Recreation Ground must have staged literally hundreds of cup finals involving teams from the Watford Friendly League in recent years.  Very few of these encounters would have been as one-sided as this mismatch of a game.  On paper, the Warriors were at least a division above the Jaguars and were clearly the pre-match favourites to win, but cup games are often great levellers and the history of all cup competitions is littered with famous victories and outstanding performance from underdogs.  On this occasion, however, this was not to prove the case.

The tone was set early on when Spencer sliced through the Jaguars’ defence (an event that was to recur countless times throughout the match) and his low and accurate cross was met by an unmarked Max who scrambled the ball into the net at the second attempt.

This goal, however, was actually the precursor to the only slightly worrying period of the game for the Warriors.  No team can ever be entirely comfortable with a lead of only a single goal, and despite virtually laying siege to the Jaguars’ goal with wave after wave of attacks, the second goal stubbornly failed to materialise.  Paul decided to give the hard-working Max and Charlie a rest and introduce some fresh legs in the shape of Josh and Elyace and this was to prove the decisive move that would seal the game for the Warriors.  Before the half-time interval arrived, a low and stinging shot from Elyace found the bottom corner and the Warriors’ lead was doubled.  As the Club’s watching head coach Dave commented at the time, “great technique, son!”.

Paul’s message at half time was, “You are all playing extremely well, but let’s not switch off and take anything for granted”.

Connor T, who was giving yet another outstanding performance in this competition, was switched to right back and Sam was introduced to the right side of midfield.

The second half started in similar vein to the first with the Warriors camped in the Jaguars’ half of the pitch, and poor Michael was being almost totally excluded from the game.  He had turned up anxious to participate, and there were spectators who were getting more touches of the ball than he was.

If the Jaguars ever did threaten to mount an attack and get in an attempt on goal, Michael’s hopes of being involved were frustrated by the redoubtable Azhar who seemed to be able to run at least twice as fast as any of the Jaguars’ attackers, and swept up everything that could have presented the Jaguars with a chance.

The Jaguars’ fading hopes of getting anything out of this game were finally extinguished by Josh who, following a half-cleared corner, sent a beautifully executed dipping shot over the brave but beleaguered Jaguars goalkeeper.

With a three-goal lead and the game very much under control, Paul re-shuffled the pack one final time and with Spencer almost running free through an exhausted Jaguars defence, the Warriors added two more goals before the final whistle, one each for the two outstanding players on the day, Connor T and Spencer himself.

When the final whistle blew, the usual exhilaration felt by the winning team was diluted somewhat because, in reality, the Warriors had long had this trophy won.

However, this didn’t seem to stop anyone enjoying the after-match celebrations, where there was a cup, medals and innumerable clicking cameras to savour.  But most of all, there were happy, excited children and glowing, proud parents, which is what youth football is really all about.

Roll on next season!

Man of the match: Spencer Michaels

Rick

We arrived to find a very large pitch with a thick covering of long grass. The pitch looked to be very slow when the boys were warming up, just like Wembley I here you say ? No more like a meadow; this pitch would not suit our playing style at all.

We kicked off playing against the wind in the first half. In the early minutes of the match Panathinaikos were passing the ball much better than the Tigers, without creating any clear cut chances. Deon and Lewis were both playing well at the back and we started to get our game together, Jamie and Didi interchange well and Didi’s shot flew past the right hand post.

Panathinaikos were playing well though and closing us down very quickly, we had no time on the ball. We just could not get the ball moving quick enough to break there defence. The match was very close at this stage. With half time approaching Harry Watts made a good save from a long shot and the resulting corner luckily came to nothing, but there were several unmarked Panathinaikos attackers.

Just before half time Jon made his first substitution with Kyle replacing Brandon. The first half was stalemate with very few if any scoring chances; the pitch was beating both teams.

We started the 2^nd half with Rayo reverting to play in defense and Ahmed in midfield. We immediately went on the attack and won a corner, but nothing came from this.  Panathinaikos broke out swiftly on the attack and we conceded a corner. The boys seemed to be asleep and were not marking tight enough as a well struck corner came in the box, the ball was headed by an Oakhill Player in to the air and Harry managed to tip the ball on to the bar, but unfortunately the ball rebound from the bar and feel invitingly at the feet of the unmarked Panathinaikos player who managed to scramble the ball over the line.

This was the first league goal we had conceded since the Nascot match on Dec 21^st 2008 some 8 games ago, a remarkable record. But now the game was on could we find a reply and score.

The Tigers immediately responded with both Jamie and Didi having good efforts on goal. The Panathinaikos defense was working hard to repel us. The ball was just not falling for us. More goal strikes from Ahmed, Kyle and Didi were blocked and several other good chances were missed. We were camped in the opposition half now.  With only minutes to go the boys created another two good chances but the keeper had all the luck today, both Jamie’s and Didi shots some how were saved and scrambled away. 

Jamie was trying hard to break the deadlock and had great shot saved some how by the keeper, on another day the ball might have crossed the line. We had corner after corner, even Lewis was pushing forward from defense looking for a goal. We had two excellent shouts for penalties. One could even be seen by our goalkeeper it was so obviously hand ball, the defender stopped our attack with his hand whilst lying on the ground but nothing was given.

We were applying all the pressure, but sadly time ran out, we just could not find an equalizer today.  Panathinaikos had not had a single shot at goal in the 2^nd half.

The boys had tried there hardest, we attacked well, had plenty of chances to score, (which we normally take) we could say we were a little unlucky. One twenty second period when we lacked concentration as a team defending a corner cost us the game.

The opposition did play well they had no real star players; however, they worked very hard and passed the ball well and had a little luck today.

So now it is on to Finchley on May 17^th for the title decider, there should be a capacity crowd cheering on the team. Please come and support the U10 Tigers in their quest for the league title. The Tigers lie 3 points behind Nascot and we have a vastly superior goal difference. If the team can finish off the season with a good performance we can still win the league.

Man of the Match: Lewis Wingad

Goal scorers; Sharif, Mahmud, OG

Our first (and last) midweek game of the season, and what a tense game it was!

With the Walker ground out of action, we had to play this home game on opposition territory, and at times, it did feel like we were in a war!

We started slowly (as we tend to sometimes), and Panathinaikos took advantage scoring first. Not for the first time this season, we were undone directly from a corner, and to rub salt into the wound, the smallest player in their team rose unchallenged like a salmon to head home!

With decisions often going against us and the Panathinaikos players employing some strong arm tactics on occasions, we could have become disenchanted, but we kept pressing, and when Sharif finished well following a cross from Mahmud, we were deservedly back on level terms.

Shortly afterwards, we took the lead, when Mahmud found the back of the net with a glorious lob – 2-1.

Half time.

Despite both sides continuing to create chances, the score remained at 2-1 until the last 5 minutes of the game, and when the referee signalled for a Panathinaikos corner (when everyone else knew it was a goal kick), I feared the worst. My fears were confirmed when the ball hit the back of our net direct from the corner, and the Panathinaikos players and fans celebrated believing they had salvaged a hard fought draw.

However, there was to be a final twist in the tail, and with literally 1 minute left on the watch, a shot (apologies, but I didn’t see who hit it!) cannoned off one of their defenders and into the net – it was our turn to celebrate!

The final whistle blew directly after the re-start and the victory was ours!

This win was important, and has taken us back into third position in the league – a position that we’ve occupied for the majority of this season.

I was really impressed with the commitment and spirit showed by all of the Bengals today – we were determined not to be beaten, and we refused to wilt under the pressure that the opposition applied both on and off the pitch.

Our final opponents of the season are our local rivals Whetstone Wanderers this coming Sunday, and with 6 points at stake, this double header is going to be equally important to us. Looking at the league table, we should prevail, but I don’t want to take anything for granted, and I’ll be looking for the same level of drive and commitment from all the Bengals.

Let’s make sure we end our season on a real high and take all 6 points!

See you all on Sunday.

Regards

Brian

Panther’s goal scorer, Dan Pugh (1)

Man of the Match Andrew Monk 

This promised to be a close run affair, as they always are against this opposition, and yet again it turned out that way.

We had 11 players today, but no subs.

The first half was a closely contested affair, but the deadlock was broken when Dan Pugh let fire an unstoppable pile drive of a shot fully 25 yards away from the goal to give us a deserved lead. This was after a similar terrific effort from the now fit again Dan Headland. The first half produced some very good football, mostly from ourselves and I believe, we were slightly unfortunate to only go in 1 nil up.

In the 2^nd half St Albans upped their game as they sought the equalizer, but we continued to play well and were unfortunate to concede the equaliser from a deflected shot.

We continued to make chances but just couldn’t get that 2^nd goal, and then right at the end we conceded the winning goal, sometimes you wonder if our luck will ever change.

All the boys played well, and deserved at least a point, but football as well as being a wonderful game, can be very cruel.