Stat fatigue

Spurred on by Elbows, my evenings are currently taken up by staring at cells with numbers in them, as I edge closer to conclusive stats on 11-a-side appearances.  For now, Mr Caldwell, as a taster, here's the Top 3:

1.  Stuart Dade      199 (I should be dropped for the Mott game just to spite me)

2. Andrew Dade    181

3. Phil Caldwell    173

Now, pre-match sleep awaits...

Christmas Meal

  Message from Social Sec.

Luis has left a small holding deposit for the meal at Lorenzo's  - fri 4th Dec.

To confirm the booking we need  a list of 20 people confirmed as attending - and we need £5 per head deposit.

It would be a huge help if each of you could confirm to Luis this week whether you and your partner plan to attend - and please hand over the cash so that Luis can secure the booking this week.

  It'll be a great night - the food and drink is really good at Lorenzo - and with the added spice of the annual player awards it should be a really enjoyable event.

The Excel Spreadsheet Never Lies, as Bucks Fizz nearly said

My adventures in statto-land continue and this morning I finally concluded my work on the "all-time goalscorers" list - the table showing who has scored all of the 1,002 goals in Accies history.  Naturally, the infallible nature of Excel has shown up my old-school adding-up as being predictably inaccurate, in particular at the top of the table.  For reasons best known to the bit of my brain that once helped me scrape a grade C in O level maths, Oscar has scored 74 career Accies goals, not the 71 I'd previously thought.  I suspected 71 was wrong as I didn't think it included his 2 goals in the 11-a-side between AC Effra and Inter Effra, but even that only added up to 73, so where the 74th goal came from is anyone's guess at this stage.  I will launch a full investigation, but Excel formulas never lie, so there must be clear daylight between Oscar and Graham Dietz, the latter being most definitely on 71 goals!

Still awake?  Here's the Top 10 (not including OGs):

Jonathan Patterson 74

Graham Dietz 71

Joe Sene 64

Ian Holmes 61 (my old stats document gave him 62 - maybe I stole one of Oscar's goals and gave it to the Gaffer?)

Simon Mesner 58

David Rudd 57

Steve Spurdens 42

Kenny Butler 35

Gary White 31

Andrew Dade 31

Impressively it contains 5 fellas who still play regularly!  Further down the chart is Thorny on 27 goals, Elbows on 26 and RAUCHENBERG! on 13.  And now I really must go before my Board of Directors clocks me one...

Huff and puff but just no luck!

Last night's game was a great game for the neutral but a heart attack for COACHES!! End to end stuff that makes football such a beautiful game at times. We started the game extremely well defending strongly and looking for the breakthrough albeit by trying extravagant passing that needs to be eradicated as the risks did not need to be taken.

Mickael started well up front chasing the ball down and trying to wi flicks for Mes but with not much luck. We grew stronger as the half went on and an inspired substitution from the coaching staff (hooray to us) led to Steve playing a quick though ball which sub Bobby ran on to and finished in style with a strong shot beyond the keeper's reach.

Yet again though we were undone by taking our eye off the game and being caught out by a hopeful cross that fell behind the forward who executed an overhead kick that evaded both Stuart and Lee and hit the roof of the net. After this we again began to dominate the game again, but time and time again instead of short passing we were looking for balls that were 'Match of the Day' material instead of proper football. The forwards were making intelligent runs just to be ignored or turn around to see players losing the ball and this was frustrating to watch.

We began the second half in a more positive manner, using the ball with more intelligent but again our choice of ball began to go awry. Moving Joe into midfield although he was playing well out wide reaped dividends as he put a superb ball through for Bobby to get his second with another controlled finish.

After the goal we were under a bit of pressure and although the defence were excellent throughout, they reacted a little slowly to Barry's interception and the forward stole in to finish. A word on the defence, they were asked to play the offside line last night and it worked very well when they moved as a unit as long as they worked together they were strong and difficult to break down and they should be lauded for their efforts in playing this system.

A 2-2 draw is at least a positive result and not a defeat, a game we could have won but were unfortunate not to win. A good all round performance from Joe earned him a deserved man of the match award but also Lee make some excellent saves throughout the game and Barry had an ecouraging 90 mins after his injury so things begining to look up again.

Up the Accies!

Grafton Game - Extended highlights

Here's a 3x longer version of last week's highlights package.

Rudd classic

During yet another stalled attempt to put together an Accies anniversary video, i did at least have the pleasure of stumbling upon this gem. One of my favourite all time Accies goals from one of my favourite all time Accies. The footage doesn't quite keep up with the ball but then neither did the keeper. Stu- what was the year?

Preparation

Quick note to say thanks to everyone for confirming attendance for this weeks game.  It makes a big difference if Neill has a full 48 hours to plan for the match.

Let's build on this by all  aiming to get to the changing room a few minutes before 8pm so we can be changed and ready to warm up by 8pm.

All to play for..

After a game against a much improved Grafton side, we still have it all to play for in our next MI Cup match. Whatever the result against Grafton a win would really have been a requirement against Mott's to ensure passage to the next round.

As long as we work together towards the next match with enthusiasm and confidence in our ability I am sure we can progress to the next stage.

1000 goals

Here's some of the footage from last night's game. Don't know if it's a sign of progress that people were so upset that we only managed to draw, or if it signals a return of the Accies Panto season. Let's hope it's the former.

  My approach will be to ask myself what i can do next week to help my teammates win rather than to dwell on who's fault it was that we didn't win this week.

  Big thanks to Baz for taking some great footage and to Junior for  coming down and playing in his least favourite position. Really nice to see Mickael again too. Luke performed a sterling job in his dual role as both  director of the communication centre and Barmy Army stalwart.

 Thanks to Greg and Perre for taking the time and trouble to help arrange extra cover for the squad. Everyone's contribution is appreciated and noted. Finally, huge thanks to Tremayne for helping out by  filling in for our absent coach. In my view it's no accident that our good run of form has coincided with the additional support Tremayne has provided for the coaching staff since his injury.

  We all have different views  and can learn from each other. Let's push on and win next week. After all, the world don't move to the beat of just one drum....

p.s  think we all got nervous when Gobby asked for  a pot of vaseline after the Grafton number 12 elbowed him in the head. Was Gobby seeking medical assistance or was he planning to exact terrible revenge on his assailant? 

  

goal 1000

I remember it so clearly. I'd just been subbed, I was strolling to find my water, couldn't locate either my bag or bottle, panicing, I found it 5 yards away from where I thought it was. There was a yell, players were running back to the half way line, arms in the air, the 1000th goal had been scored and I bloody missed it! Still inspired substitution though.

The Tricky Live Text Update!

10.10pm: 1-1, full-time. All to play for in the MI Cup group. Well played lads, 1pt on the board, could've been better but could've been worse! One final meaningless stat to finish with: October 2009 has been the most active month yet in terms of blog posts: 32 new entries this month, beating the previous record of 31. Thanks to everyone who's posted and if anyone out there who hasn't posted before would like to do so, give me a shout!

9.59pm: We've been under pressure for most of the second half apparently, but as Luke answered the phone just then we almost scored. On one of our counterattacking moves, Joe attempted to chip the keeper, whose 1oft height (apparently) enabled him to just tip the ball over the bar.

9.40pm: As well as the crucial points in the MI Cup that are at stake, there's a meaningless statistic now hanging in the balance - we've never previously lost to Grafton Strollers. There are precious few teams about whom I can say that, and certainly none that we've played as often as we've played Grafton. I think this is the sixth or seventh time we've played them and we've won all but one of our previous encounters, the other having been drawn 1-1. With 18 minutes to go I don't think any Accies player would be prepared to settle for the draw...

9.35pm: 1-1. Free-kick came in and was parried away by Junior, but a Grafton player was first to the ball and headed it, I think, in. Subs news: Luis came on for Joe and Phill came on for Dave in the first half. Mickael has just gone on for Greg.

9.30pm: Update from pitchside - Neil G received a cut to the head just before half-time, but is playing on, Terry Butcher/Paul Ince-like. We're currently under a bit of pressure, but we're holding firm.

9.23pm: Might phone TBALT for a match report so far, as the tension is starting to get to me. We're possibly 37 minutes away from 3pts in the MI Cup. Must find out where and when Grafton vs Mott is taking place in case it's convenient to attend. Could be a crucial match in determining whether we progress to the Quarter Finals. In the interests of keeping the footy cliches coming, I should point out that if we do manage to prevail tonight, our destiny will be in our own hands. Wahey.

9.09pm: 1-0!!! Simon Mesner. Long ball forward, headed flick-on from Greg Rainey and Simon ran on to it and slid the ball into the net. 1,000, just done it! And with that goal the Accies No 10 moves level with Gary White as top all-time 11-a-side goalscorer for Effra Academicals with 31 goals. And one closer to Thorny in the race for the 2009 Golden Boot - Lex has 11 and Shaky is now knocking on the Green Door in This Ole House behind which the Golden Boot is being kept, that analogy really doesn't work... anyway, Simon has 10 goals.

9pm: Well, we still await the 1,000th Accies goal (perhaps, like the first ever Accies goal, it'll be an OG?) but at least we can safely say we're doing better than in our first MI Cup group game in 2008. I think we were 3-0 down by now.

8.50pm: Junior in goal, Phil C at RB, Dave and Lee CB, Neil G at LB, Perre RW, Andy T and Sam CM, Joe LW, Greg and Simon up front (Greg playing "off" Simon. Bench: Luis, Phill A, Mickael. 0-0 after 20 minutes, the passing is "a bit scrappy" but " we're trying to play football".

8.40pm: Will there be a cup upset? I wonder.

8.30pm: First Contact has been made with a crocked player, a Mr Luke John Fallon, no 14, who is unsure as yet of the starting line-up on account of still being on a bus to the venue. He's "a few minutes away" and so, therefore, is any useful information.

8.23pm: Am now unsure of who, pitchside, will be providing me with info, because my usual reporter, Dade A, is in EN8 and is, in fact, the "you" that the previous sentence refers to. Shall wait until after kick-off and start badgering injured Accies.

8.20pm: Hoping to bring you (who am I kidding? There is no "you") the starting line-up soon.

8.11pm: Son and heir is now upstairs with the Board Of Directors. They're watching something called The Restaurant together. Feel free to contact Social Services. Before the next Accies tie I am going to have to run and/or swim off the 32oz steak I ate earlier today, otherwise I may resemble the cow I just consumed.

7.57pm: Am feeling slightly less guilty about missing The Big Match as I am actually a poorly chap - the usual throaty virus - so I'd have been a bystander tonight even if I had made it to Palace. Am intrigued to know the starting line-up and cautiously optimistic about our chances tonight.

7.53pm: This one won't be easy because the son and heir is still wide awake, having been allowed a major lunchtime kip in order to ensure total cooperation and cuteness out for an early evening meal with Nanny and Grandad Dade, Uncle Rick, Aunty Jenny And Cousin Bump. So his finger is literally on the mousepad as I type, making this a tricky task...

Excited all round!

It's Thursday, its 10.30am, already I'm getting my kit together, and have that slightly sick feeling in my stomach I only get on match days. Later, during the warm up it'll turn into a full blown retch, which I used to put down to eating too close to kick off, but since I cut that out, I know it's pre match excitment(I do'nt get nervous!!). This is a typical non work day pre match routine, I'll leave ridiculously early, as for some reason the 6.15 train does not stop at my station, and try to enjoy the 1.5 to 2 hours journey through the tail end of the rush hour to Palace. Work days will see me leave Welwyn Garden at 17.21, and enjoy the much quicker, but more hectic train/tube bonanza. It used to be so easy, 2mins walk from house through the car park, arrive at pitch side, even living in Bromley it was a 40min bus ride. How do other long distance Accies make it on a Thursday?
I'm equally excited to hear rumours of the return of the Dutch games. They are easily the pinnicle of any Accies season. The first year I played, myself Luke and Ant were asked by a Dutch waitress why we were in Holland, we told her playing football, she asked us if we were professionals! Gza put me and Sue up in a themed hotel, unfortunately Sue's vertigo prevented us sleeping in the jungle room, and we were woken very early on match day by one of those giant pipe organs outside. We enjoyed post match bitteballen, made out of shit supposedly, oh and I scored twice in a 3-1 win!! Bring it back ASAP

Emergency! 999!

Clearly the last thing anyone needs on the day of a crucial cup match is the distraction of a meaningless statistic. So look away now, strikers. Because the Accies have scored 999 recorded goals and so, maths fans, our first goal tonight will be the 1,000th in the club's history. Maybe everyone should be wearing vests underneath the Accies tops with "1,000 - just done it" and a Nike swoosh? No, definitely not - nothing would be a greater guarantee of us drawing a blank in front of goal.

Not sure where I'm going to be later, so the thrill-a-minute typo-fest that is the Live Text Update might not happen tonight. But I'll be in mobile contact with the Barmy Army of injured Accies and I demand good news! Good luck lads - and thanks in advance to any fellas that come and help us out. Up the Accies!

Accies in MI Cup strong squad shock

Against all the odds it looks like we've actually got a strong squad for this week's cup game. Joe is now available , so we should have  a strong  first 11 plus at least 2 subs.

Greg's brother in law Charlie is available if needed.

Return of the Anglo Dutch Cup?

 2010 could be the year that the Dutch mount  a belated challenge for the cup that was won in dramatic style by the Accies in 2007.

More details to follow over the next few weeks.

Also in the pipeline - possible 3 team tournament in Durham - Lots of football fun, and we may even get to stay in a castle.

Plans are still at a very early stage.

All i need you to do now is let me know whether you're up for a trip to Holland and/or the North East. Events are likely to take place in the spring and autumn of 2010.

Two-Two

Good goal from Mes.

I'll put more highlights on the blog over the next week if i get time

nil-one, one-one.

Here's Claxton's first goal and Sam's swift response.

plenty more good footage. 

Thanks to Miami for some excellent camerawork.

A Game too far....

I suppose the best that can be said about last night's 2-4 defeat was that when we played, we played well and when we didn't we were punished. All in all I don't think we deserved to lose the game on the balance of play as we created a fair few chances throughout the match but finishing was our nemesis yet again.

We need to be more clinical in front of goal when chances arise, as well as being more selective about when to pass and when to shoot. When we attack with confidence we are very threatening but on many occasions we give away the ball too easily and instead of trying to wrestle back possession we leave the defence exposed to breaks and there is only so much they can do before being breached.

Hopefully players will be contemplating this prior to next weeks MI Cup match and these errorswill start to be eradicated.

Injury time

I have about 10 minutes before I need to leave Now Towers and head for Palace, so I thought I'd knock up a quick post before setting off to face Claxton.  I wanted to say how great it is when injured Accies attend matches, lending their support either in practical ways (assisting the Coach with tactical shenanigans; videoing the action) or just as Barmy Army members, shouting encouragement.  It shows terrific commitment to the cause when a crocked player comes down to stay involved - and believe me, that commitment is noted by those of us who are "running" the club.  I know how it feels to be on the sidelines as I missed a couple of months back in 2005 with a horrible shoulder injury.  Sadly my video work at the time left a great deal to be desired (Phil will testify - he says my efforts are 'comedy gold', which wasn't the effect I was aiming for).

So if you're out of action at the moment or, heaven forbid, at any time in the future, please do keep turning up at the True Theatre Of Dreams (still don't accept Man Utd's hijacking of that title for their home) - it means a lot to those of us out on the pitch and it shows tremendous commitment.  Right, got to go!  Up the Accies!

full highlights

Best make a brew and put your feet up for this one - it's quite a long clip.

There's loads more good footage that'll probably end up in an end of year or anniversary DVD,

In truth, the quality of the camerawork surpasses that of the football but i hope the film reflects that it was an enjoyable, friendly game.

Oscar speaks

....just about.  Great to see Oscar on Saturday. From the evidence of this interview it looks like he had to go deep into the red zone to pull out what was an excellent performance.

Penalty shootout

Here's the penalty shootout.My favourite moments include Gobby's emphatic penalty and the look on Ant's face when he realises he's going to have to go and fetch the ball after Oscar blazes high and wide. Also, couldn't help enjoying Billy's superlative 'Mr Burns' impression - at least Billy had his mate Alex there to...ahem.. console him.

Highlights of the actual game to follow in the next few hours or possibly days.

Also - don't think we actually decided on names for the 2 teams in the end - any suggestions?

I've always liked Real Ale Madrid as a sunday league name.

Free Blue Peter badge for winning entry.

Post match interview

Steve and Mes start a rumour in this short clip

Goal?

For what it's worth I think this footage shows that Tremayne was correct in his decision not to award Steve's 'goal' on Saturday.  

There's lots more great footage from Saturday's anniversary match - Big thanks to Mes for his sterling work behind the camera. 

Thanks to everyone who came on Saturday to play and to watch the game.

I'll put more footage on the Blog tomorrow if i get time.

Anniversary Match Day Programme

Here's the plan:

Two 45min 11 a side fixtures tomorrow.

2pm Current Accies XI vs Oppo XI

3pm Dinamo Bar Pitch XI vs Streatham North End XI

If either tie is level after 45 mins , a penalty shootout will decide the winner.

Hopefully everyone will be able to play in both fixtures. The first fixture is self explanatory. For the second fixture, attendees will be split into 2 squads to form the 2 sides.

Should be a great afternoon - emphasis is on having a bit of fun, not winning at all costs. . Strictly no dodgy tackles and no handbags.

Please all turn up by 1.30pm , so we can be ready to kick off at 2pm.

Up the Accies!