We’re On Our Way
GROVE PARK RANGERS II 3-2 Jugg Boyz FC
Pete’s decision that he is too busy to continue writing the blog has left a salad sized hole in our Tuesdays. Luckily, I have decided that the challenges of managing a new Sunday League side aren’t enough and in my eyes, the sequel is always better.
Having started the campaign with an emphatic 3-1 win followed by what we all accepted was a sub-par performance resulting in a 5-2 defeat in week two, we all went into the weekend desiring that winning feeling again. In our way were Jugg Boyz, another MCFL debutant who had started their season with a 3-0 victory.
With numbers for training a little lower than of late, the backroom staff were pleasantly surprised to find 38 players available for the weekend fixtures. 4 valiant players had to miss out on the II’s squad of 16 and we think that we did them proud. The II’s had multiple players making their club debuts for the 3rd week in a row, this time is was Juan and Jools.
Fortunately, there were no floodlights invading the pitch this week however we did have a different Sunday league mishap. One of the starting 11 had forgotten his boots, so this saw Rabbi stepping up to start the game with a couple of minutes notice.
The game began as an even back and fourth with both sides sharing possession but no clear cut chances. GPR started to grow into the game and were moving the ball around nicely before a cruel flick up from the turf led to the ball bouncing off our defenders unsuspecting hand. Penalty. The Jugg Boyz player put it away very well and The Salads found themselves 1-0 down.
That did not deter the home side one bit. The game continued as it had been before the unfortunate ball to hand, with GPR having much of the ball and causing the away sides back line problem after problem.
Gavin, who spent the game seamlessly switching between attacking midfielder and striker, made a brilliant run down the right side, he beat a man out wide and ran into the box before playing an irresistible pass across the Jugg Boyz goal. Adam Palacki was waiting at the back post but due to some good defending his first attempt somehow didn’t cross the line, our winger persevered and eventually the ball was in the back of the Jugg Boyz net, 1-1.
After some more increased pressure from The Salads, we had luck down the right side again. A combination of passes led to Ross, playing on the opposite wing to which he made his debut last week, finding right back Aman who was lurking unmarked on the edge of the area. ‘What is he doing there’ muttered the manager just as Aman placed a wonderful finish across the goalkeeper into the corner of the goal. 2-1. Breathe.
The second half began and something was different. Whatever the opposition manager had said at half time seemed to work. Jugg Boyz were moving the ball around nicely and started to look like a threatening side. We stood strong and fought our way back into a more even tie. After a couple of half chances and a power header from Dave that went just wide, the manager started thinking that maybe it was time to sit back and protect our treasures.
He elected to not make that change just yet, in hope that the two goal cushion would come. Jools; in his first match of the season after a pre-season injury had kept him out, made way for Ross to come back onto the pitch and just 40 seconds after, he hit a sublime half volley over the goalkeeper to make it 3-1. It is on our socials. Go and find it.
Then came the storm. Jugg Boyz pushed on, instinctually, The Salads dropped deeper. Goalkeeper Jack pulled off some outrageous saves to fend off their attacks but eventually we came undone. They worked the ball nicely down our left side and put in a cross which was met by a faultless header. Heads did not drop, we knew that we could hold out.
A shift to five at the back followed, with minutes later, centre back Rabbi brought on to ‘sit in front of the back 5’, and then, the reliable 9-1 formation. Squeaky bum time? Maybe slightly. The referee’s added time seemed to last an age as the heroic Salads battled for every ball and protected our goal with honour. Then, the long awaited final whistle finally came.
6 points from 9. 2 wins from 2 at home, we are on our way.
MOTM - Aman (HM to Jack, Juan and Ross)
Writer: Aaron-Lee Eyles
