Wednesday 31 August 2011

Statapology

Having been gently berated by Elbows for not keeping the stats column of this blog up to date lately, I've duly fixed the all-time 11-a-side goalscorers list. The biggest movers in 2011 have of course been Sam and Perre, who have leapt up to 3rd and 4th in the chart respectively. I believe anyone who scores 30 or more 11-a-side goals qualifies for a special medal - those will no doubt be included in the end-of-year awards dinner later in 2011. Simon's lengthy injury absence has meant his lead at the top has been cut to just 2 goals by Thorny. But Mes has managed one goal since returning to action (as well as one against the Accies!), so he's now just 2 goals away from becoming the first Effra player to reach a half-century of 11-a-side goals. Will he be wearing a "50 goals - just done it" T-shirt under his Accies top in Rotterdam this Saturday?

Bobby's 6 goals in 2011 have catapulted him into the top 10, while Joe's 4 goals have solidified his own place in the top 10 (level with Bob). Paul, Neill and Greg have all made good progress up the list, with Paul having made it to double figures in less than a year playing for the club (he made his debut in September 2010).

I'll work on the appearances stats over the coming weeks - can't sit at a computer for too long because it will hinder my back pain rehab!

In even more dweeby news, the first goal we let in during the recent 3-0 defeat to Crown Agents was the 1,000th goal we've conceded in 11-a-sides. We should have baked the scorer a cake. And on a more positive note, Joe's goal in the 2-4 loss to TPS recently was our 600th 11-a-side goal. Hooray.

Monday 29 August 2011

Accies v Crown Agents 4th August 2011

At last, hi-lights from the Accies 4-2 win over Crown Agents on Thursday 4th August 2011 are on youtube.

Friday 26 August 2011

View From The Other Side

Always pretty interesting to get the oppo's view on a match and, as they did when we played them this time last year, The Queen Vic's gaffer forwarded me this match report…

Accies 1 v 2 Queen Vic

It's not often we get to play on a surface like the one at Crystal Palace last night (well, once a year and hopefully an ongoing annual event...) so I hope you all enjoyed it.

This was a far more challenging game than a year ago when we ran out comfortable 4-0 winners. The home side were much more organised and proved themselves to be a stubborn and determined opposition. I thought we played pretty well in the first twenty minutes, carving out numerous opportunities to take the lead but their goalkeeper was excellent and we were guilty of snatching at any half-chances that came our way. The Accies then played themselves into the game, forcing us back as we perhaps became a little frustrated that we weren't ahead. They hit a couple of excellent long shots (one superbly tipped over by Tharpey) before taking the lead thanks to yet another individual error at the back. We've conceeded five goals this pre-season in five games (which is impressive) but they've all been due to errors of one sort or another.

We reacted well to the goal and should have been level by half-time so I was pretty confident that if we kept on doing what we were doing we'd every chance to go on and win the game and as it turned out that's exactly what transpired. What we need to take from the game is that patience is the key. If we keep playing our football, eventually even the most obstinate of opposition defences will crack. You just have to believe it will happen and not get frustrated with yourselves or each other.

A 2-1 win then and I think a deserved one on chances created and the amount of possession we enjoyed. We need to ensure that we take our use of the ball into the real season and not get excited by the fact that we are playing real games where points are at stake.

My only small criticism this week is what we discussed before the lights went out on the pitch. We must play football that demonstrates an awareness of the scoreline and how the game has panned out. You worked hard last night to get into the lead but then seemed (at times) to be determined to go on to score a third goal at the risk of losing the lead we had. Just take it easy. When there is a minute to go there is nothing wrong in working the ball to the opposition corner flag and keeping it there. Okay, it was a friendly but we almost threw the lead away by giving the ball back to them, getting caught on the break, giving away a free-kick and almost conceeding with the last kick of the game, in which case you'd have all come off the pitch deflated...

I want to instill a winning mentality boys...and win some trophies!

The least I want from this season is a cup final for us to enjoy.

Keep it up. Things are looking good.

Radfall will be another tough test on Sunday...

There you go – I should add that my old school mate Danny, the oppo's manager, told me after the game that the key difference from last year to this is that we are now are much more well organised unit, far harder to break down. Good to hear, given that this has been a key area we've concentrated on for some time now! Should also add that we've tentatively been invited to Herne Bay for an away tie, probably in May 2012. Could be good!

Wednesday 10 August 2011

From The Archives: "Look At These Cripples" (Spain 2010)

Messrs Fallon and Holmes are the worse for wear following our exploits in the Trofeo Amistoso Something Or Other tournament in sunny Spain - but teammate Sandoval is in fine fettle.

Sunday 7 August 2011

Accies Blog 2.0


Those of you who prefer to consume your Accies Blog on wee little mobile phones (or, in my case, if I'm in the lounge, on an iPod Touch) will be delighted to learn that I have switched on the relevant setting that makes the blog easier to read on those devices. Those of you who prefer not to consume your Accies Blog at all, are just hurtful and cruel. In other geeky news, I note with "interest" that the blog doesn't seem to look very nice on the Firefox browser, but that doesn't bother me because I normally use Safari. Now go back to sleep.

Friday 5 August 2011

Ref x2 = victory

Accies who turned up  hoping for their weekly dose of tragi-comic disaster went home  disappointed last night. 
Against all expectations, Effra  motored past Crown Agents with an upbeat, competent display.
Where did it all go right?
Whilst not  quite up to Fash FC  standards of exuberance, there was a  distinctly, relaxed and positive feel about the team last night.  The football was really quite good too. - I wouldn't go as far as to say that i'd have been happy to pay to watch, but i definitely didn't mind not paying to watch.
Great three goal haul from Perre and a nice finish from Paul. Perre got the MOTM award , but   the Ref of the Match award must go to Hassan , who finally found his vocation last night - i guess we're all good at something.
See you all in three weeks.
 

Wednesday 3 August 2011

Accies v Crown Agents 28th July 2011

Here is a short clip of the 0-3 defeat to Crown Agents. Not much footage to choose from this week hence the short clip. But an easy to edit piece. Hopefully we'll stimulate the camera men to have the camera on more than it is off this week in the re-match. Hi-lights in this 3 minute 34 seconds video are Phil's inch perfect through ball to Sam and Barry's distal phalanges deflecting the ball around the post.

Accies v Ladywell, 21st July 2011

See the hi-lights from the game v Ladywell including great long shots (sadly mostly by the opposition), a crashing free kick, tough tackles, midfield skill, a crimson sunset and musing on the Accies system as well as how it's all Thatcher's fault by clicking here