All for one

Big thanks to Stu for his match report, the way we played on Thursday as a unit was very impressive and the die hard spirit of working for each other and fighting 'til the end is testament to all the players desire to improve and to get results.

Defensively over the past few weeks we have become hard to break down as all players are helping each other and working as a unit. Offensively we have created chances but we still need to get the final ball a little more on the money for the front men, but the chances are there and that time will come.

In he meantime congrats to all the accies who have played over the last few games and have stepped up when the need arose, so let's keep going all the way and enjoy our football.

Up the Accies

The lads showed tremendous character, Gary

In fact it was the lads of both teams what done showed triffic character tonight. The Accies took the momentum from our previous two good performances into this game and kept the consistency going, soaking up some pressure and taking our chance to go into a 1-0 lead, yet another Neil Gardener long throw assist. Heads didn't go down when Sporting Brixton equalised just before half-time, and after an uncertain start to the 2nd half we roared into a 3-1 lead, one opportunistic finish from Thorny and another truly astonishing header from a significant distance - I'm pretty sure he meant it?

Then the team in white showed their mettle in getting two fairly quick goals to level the tie and, with tails up, might have gone on to win the match. But if we'd become in any way complacent at 3-1 up, we upped our game at 3-3 and in fact looked the likelier to win, with Perre forcing a great save and Joe narrowly failing to connect at the far post with a lovely cross from the coach over on the left wing.

Shame Bobby couldn't have been here to enjoy the match that he facilitated, but for the record it was a cracking game to play in, both teams played some good football and I'm pleased that we at the very least matched opponents who, earlier in the year, might have dished out a heavy defeat on the red'n'blues. I don't like the Accies rollercoaster whereby one week we win and we're heralded as world beaters, the next we lose and we're castigated as hapless and hopeless. So I'm over the moon Brian that we've played consistent, solid football over the past 3 games and seem to genuinely be building a platform, rather than lurching from shambles to victors to crisis and so on... Up the Accies.

Team: Hairy Cornflake, Elbows, Little Tired Bear, Gobby, Ex-Marathon Man, Spuds (sub: Ladies Love Luis), Joe Le Taxi (sub: Penalty), Thorny, Coach (sub: Dangermouse), Shaky, Mickael

Scorers: OG, Thorny (2)

Apologies for the poor quality of this match report. I is tired. Feel free to write a better one!

And I thought it was just a coincidence...

Have you ever noticed how often it rains on Thursdays? I certainly have, but only ever considered it a coincidence due to playing football each Thursday night. However, it seems there's a bit more to it, because according to the Daily Mirror today:

Thursday

GOOD TO..

Give up smoking. Your resolve is strong for the first few days, which helps you get through the weekend.

Have sex. Sex hormones peak on Thursday - and it's best to do it first thing in the morning.

Shop. We spend more on cards on Thursday nights than any other.

BAD FOR..

Going to hospital. Patients admitted on a Thursday stay an average of 6.3 days, compared with 5.3 on a Sunday.

Rain. It's the wettest day of the week, with an average of 2.97mm.

The rain scenario is made worse by the fact it's meant to be a good day for having sex. Of course they do recommend having sex in the morning, but would that suggestion get the seal of approval from Physio Mesner?

Full story from the Daily Mirror can be seen here:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/08/25/why-it-s-sunday-best-115875-21622167/

Honestly ref- it was never a penalty

Thursday 20th August Bar Pitch Accies v Fat Cats.

Time for honesty.

"It was never a penalty" - a cry heard many time from on an off the pitch, and this time, well from my view from the side of the pitch, I thought there was very little to shout about. I actually thought the ref had given us a free-kick.

This is all by the by, but at the time with the Accies 1-0 up and 2 minutes to play it is very hard to take as you feel you are denied a deserved victory by a dubious decision.

And I think the Accies were worth their one goal lead, courtesy of a great cross from Mesner to find Mickael at the back post to tap the ball home. The MOTM french striker deserved this for his tireless efforts chasing every ball as is his way, and in this occasion has not much more to to than put the ball in the back of the net.

Ok, more honesty. Even though I say great cross from Simon, and even told him so myself in the pub, the truth is, I have this all on hearsay; accurate descriptive hearsay I hasten to add from colleagues on the touchline who described the goal. The truth is at that moment I was in deep 'knee arthroscopy' conversation with Andrew who has his forthcoming cartilege op soon, and I was relaying my story to him as the asaid piece of quality play and goal happened.

It is strange sometimes being on the touchline (unable to take part in the game itself) and enjoy the touchline banter, game observations and general catch ups that take place. And I do think we (on the side) do try to encourage and play our part.

I did watch sufficient play to know that the defence was magnificent, led by Dave Rudd with an excellent goal line clearance - I can put down to his ability to read the game even in moments of desperate defending. Lee in goal while having little to do (honestly) had authority between the sticks. Luis played a great cameo down the left. And all in all (especially in the second half) the team gelled, and the spirit and belief grew. We could nick this, we could win.

Alas with one decision the result changed and victory denied, but it was good performance, and something for the Accies to build on next week. I think we are strongest in the autumn months, and expect more of the same commitment and honesty in the weeks to come.

I'll do by best to keep my eye on the ball next time.

Result Accies 1-1 Fat Cats.

Crazy horses

You can read all about the pesky horseplay here.  Gah!

For f***'s sake!

If it's new lows you're looking for...

Norwich City are currently 0-4 down after 20 minutes at home to League One giants Colchester United.  Do you think Colchester will lend City a couple of players at half-time to keep it interesting?

Computer Says 'No'

The Accies' ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of defeat knows no bounds.

To a backdrop of pouring and rain and the complete indifference of the massed ranks of underemployed Palace staff, the Accies  learned of their fate. At 8pm,the match against MHP was cancelled. The computer said 'No football' - And when the Palace ZX Spectrum says no, it means no - Hopes that recent computer failings had been remedied by an upgrade to 48k were dashed,  and MHP and Accies players  trudged off to the  pub for some restorative booze.

 

Hooray for a proper football scoreline

I was starting to get irritated by the silly-looking scorelines of recent weeks, 6-6, 5-4, 3-7... Goalfests, yes, but not Proper Football Match Scorelines (mind you, there was that UEFA Cup final that Liverpool won 5-4 I suppose).  So I went into last night's game grittily determined to be part of a defence that, whatever the outcome of the match, conceded a normal amount of goals.  I even said as much to the rest of the back four just before kick-off.

2-1, now there's a proper scoreline.  We started pretty well and it became clear that the oppo would struggle to cope with Bobby and Simon up front.  Several first-half chances were created, but the only one that was converted came from a lovely Bobby cross into the six-yard box, where Simon, Andy T and Steve were waiting.  Thorny stabbed the ball into the net for a deserved lead.  Claxton slowly got their act together and in truth we were a little fortunate to get to half-time without c0nceding a goal - at one point, a Claxton forward waltzed past three Accies defenders and found himself with only Lee to beat - but his bounced safely away off the left-hand post.

The second-half was mainly a rearguard action for Effra – we defended countless corners in the half-light.  Our dear hosts, in their infinite wisdom, had put two floodlights on at one end of the pitch and none at the other.  Apparently at last weekend's athletics event, the lights were powered by individual generators, and our hosts had failed to connect two of the lights up properly.  Or something.  I found all this out in reception while the second half was in progress, much to my annoyance.  But when I got back to the pitch, we were still 1-0 up and I was put back on at left-back.  Claxton's pressure told and it was one of our own who scored their equaliser – Mickael kindly helped them make up the numbers and pounced on a loose ball following a great save from Lee, slamming it home.  Afterwards I assured Mike that it was good for the Accies that he'd scored - he's a striker, he's expected to score, regardless of who he's playing for!

On another night maybe we'd have crumbled on finally conceding that equaliser, but not tonight.  Some good pressure led to Steve being hacked down just outside the oppo's penalty box.  Greg and Joe conferred behind the ball and Joe stepped away allowing Greg to shoot goalwards.  It might not have been the most powerfully struck free-kick in the history of football, but it did enough to bamboozle the keeper, who let it slip through his arms and over the line, with Bobby in close attendance waiting to clean up any leftovers.

There wasn't enough time for Claxton to launch another comeback, although I vaguely recall Mickael having a chance to score again - that would have been hard to swallow!  But Robert The Ref's whistle blew and we'd hung on for a well earned win.

Team: Lee, Phil, Barry (sub: Luke), Dave, Stuart (sub: Graeme), Neill, Andy T (sub: Luis), Joe (sub: Greg), Steve, Simon, Bobby

Scorers: Andy T, Greg

Knee agonies

Following on from Andrew's update, I can sympathise, and wish him well and a speedy recovery. Hopefully you'll be back soon and fighting for that place.

My update: yesterday at the hospital I had my arthroscopy on my left knee. The surgery was larger / longer than the surgeon first thought would be necessary. My medical notes say:

- Plica excised

- OCD chondroplasty

- Micro fracture

- Partial medial menisectom to stable rim

- Knee washed out

- 0.5% marcain injected

As well as a nice drawing of the knee, and descriptions of tear body MM, extensive horizontal clearage, cartilage damage / delamination 2x3mm full thickness OCD etc

Just done my exercises, and hobbling about on crutches, definitely won't be fit for tonight's game! All the best, be positive and confident, we can win.

Up the Accies. 

Accies' Number 11 Injury Update

Hi all,

Thought I'd drop you a line to update you on the injury I picked up a few weeks ago when we played MHP on July 9th in North London.

After the game I knew things weren't right but was able to walk the mile or so to White Hart Lane station. The next morning I couldn't move my right knee without severe pain so went off to A&E.

They spent more time worrying about the Astroturf burn - treated and dressed it and gave me a tetanus booster injection. I did think at this point that perhaps Luke needs to drink a pint of tetanus booster given the quantity and severity of his astro burns over the years!

Anyway, after a 'clear' x-ray (ie: no broken bones) they didn't even examine my knee properly and sent me off with an ill fitting tubigrip with the instructions 'not to play football for a couple of weeks'.

Since then, the knee has continued to cause much pain - mild at rest and severe given certain movements.

I have been fortunate enough to see two qualified physiotherapists, both of whom knew it was serious and advised an MRI scan. Lucky enough to be covered on the Wife's health insurance I have now seen the GP, got a referral to a knee specialist, seen him and am having the MRI on Saturday morning.

After that I'm away on holiday for a couple of weeks and then am due to see the specialist for the results etc. on 19th August. After that, chances are it's an 'arthroscopy' (ask Mes).

I have no idea about how long it will be before I can play again - but am guessing months rather than weeks.

I do hope to see you all soon - I had a plan about still coming down to Palace on a Thursday and having a swim (decent exercise and OK for the knee) which would mean I'd still catch some of the games and get to have a pint with you.

The train strikes are affecting my line so that has scuppered tomorrow, then I'm away for two weeks. There will be one more strike and THEN I should be all set to come down again.

Utterly annoying - all because an MHP player fouled me intentionally.

Anyway - there is it: the update from your number 11.

Good luck in the coming weeks - I'm sure Stu will keep me informed about scores etc. I'll be checking the blog/facebook/twitter whilst on holiday so I'm there with you in spirit.

All the best lads, I look forward to hopefully swift treatment and swift recovery and then trying to fight my way back into the team.

Cheers,

Andrew

And It's Now Finished 0-1...

...in the only match that counts this week. But can you guess what that match is and who won???

Chef Sandoval!

A large round of applause for Chef Sandoval please! Luis, doubling up as Chef for the night as well as being Accies Social Secretary for 2009, cooked at least three hundred burgers last Thursday, even while getting totally drenched during the frequent downpours over southeast London.

He didn't quite look the part though as he wasn't wearing either his secretary's skirt or a chef's apron!

Poor Luis didn't even get to spend a night with Spuds as a reward - Steve has apparently caught swine flu :( Hope you get better soon wee man!

Nice buns

The Accies BBQ, held at The Paxton last Thursday, was a jovial affair attended by most Accies. At one point, a camera got handed round, and Elbows decided he simply had to take a picture of these "Nice Buns!" Poor old Phil clearly doesn't get out much these days...

Out of my window

Earlier on the weather was looking surprisingly BBQ-friendly... Right now it certainly isn't!  It's tipping down in SE1... wonder what's it's like in SE19?  Ah well, we can always pit our wits against the team in the now-on-Thursday-nights Paxton Arms pub quiz...  Either way I'm bang up for tonight (with commiserations to those of you who can't make it).

Live weather update: it's sunny again in SE1.  The tension!  Maybe I'll Tweet weather updates live from the venue later on...*

*I won't.

The Hut's match report

I thought The Hut's 'comment' on my previous post was so thorough that it deserved to be a post of its own...

I was standing on the side watching what turned out to be an extraordinary match. The torrential rain and variety of fork and sheet lightening that circled the ground for most of the 90 minutes just added to the atmosphere. No 'it was electric' cliches here, rather as the first half scoreline of 0-6 suggests it was really turning into a very damp squid of an affair. Difficult to raise an encouraging voice against the thunder.

However the 3 changes (swaps) to the team (4 if you count putting Lee in goal) absolutely changed everything. After every goal, those of us sheltering under the athletics scoreboard got more interested and excited in the outlandish comeback possibilities.

The Dolphins' supporters were with us cheering each goal, and jeering their defenders inabilities to handle their own striker now attired in Accies blue and red. Even when there was a Dolphins' penalty appeal in front us, they turned on their own players with 'you're joking - it was definitely outside the box' - sensing as well a Dolphins goal would spoil the drama unfolding at the far end of the pitch.

So 6-6 it was, and but for a disallowed goal and for the floodlights to go out possibly a couple of minute early (probably struck by lightening) the Accies were robbed of an almightly historic comeback win.

A new low or a historic comeback? You decide...

Such a preposterous and unusual evening's footy entertainment requires an unusual blog entry, so here goes - some random thoughts in no particular order until I get tired and crash...
1. Me and Luis lost 12-0 but the Accies drew 6-6.
2. A bloke called John Lizou scored 5 goals for the Accies in 45 minutes, breaking about 15 club records and giving him a decent shout at winning the 2009 Golden Boot.
3. Tremayne played in goal for 45 minutes with a hurty groin.
4. Lee kept a clean sheet for the other 45 minutes.
5. Neill Robertshaw scored his first ever Accies goal and I couldn't really celebrate it, annoyingly.
6. After the game, myself and Elbows tried to remember the vintage first-half quotes from a fellow defender, who will remain nameless but there are no prizes for guessing who it was. Our best guess at the quote, at the risk of attracting a different kind of visitor to this blog, was: "Come on Accies, let's fuck them up the arse for a change... I'm sick and tired of having some bloke pull my cock out of his arse". I'm really not sure that was exactly it but you get the general idea.
7. It rained very, very, very, very, very, very hard.
8. At one point, lightning struck the Palace mast.
9. At 3- or 4-0 down, I'm ashamed to admit I was more concerned about my bag being rained on. Thanks are due to The Hut for moving it. My iPod is fully functional.
10. Barry could've scored inside the first 10 seconds of the match.
11. I haven't figured out why Lee tends to refer to the Accies in the singular during a match. Not a criticism - each to their own! "Come on, Accie!" I think I quite like it, to be honest.
12. The Paxton has moved its quiz night to a Thursday, and I don't think I like that. 12 goals, 12 comments on this post - good night! Feel free to add points 13 onwards by clicking on "Comment"...

"We're gonna score one more than you..."

So chanted Fat Les on their remarkable footy choon Vindaloo.  They could be talking about MHP vs the Accies - so far this year we've lost 0-1, 1-2 and now 4-5 to them!  Well, we're playing them again in less than a month so let's hope we can break that tradition.  That's all - is this the shortest post in the short history of this blog?

The Last Two Weeks

Well, the last couple of weeks have been nothing if not eventful. Last weeks is it on..is it off...what day are we playing fun and games ended with a 3-7 defeat to Dolphin. A game that could have gone either way as we attacked well but yet again were undone by a team we allow too much time on the ball and who love route one footy.

This week we had training, this was not as well attended as previous sessions but all those who were there played their part in an enjoyable session. Also, as not so many players there I culd look closer at some players and analyse some aspects to be reviewed. Stuart Dade made progress towards his form of old after his marathon lay-off and Andy Dade showed some good touch and composure. Barry Gardener was also asked to keep the ball longer and look to play short balls and this was effective.

All told good evenings football hopefully enjoyed by all....

Arse Ache (Slight Return)

I thought I had it bad, with my semi-whingey post last week (the irony of which being that the day after I posted it, everything changed again). But look here to see that really, I've got it easy.  I particularly like the link between fixture dates for West Ham United and my beloved Norwich City!

A Pat on the Back

Well, what can I say? What a valiant performance from the whole squad last night. After our previous run of disasterous results against Dolphin (8-0 & 9-0) to go up against them with a mix up team and come away with defeat by only a solitary goal shows the true potential and fighting spirit of some of the players in this club.

With Anthony 'No.1' Emery making a another cameo appearance in goal allowing for current 'keeper Lee Clifford to move in central defence we started out to see how we could hold up against the pace of the oppo. I had asked for all to stand up and be counted and not to shirk their responsibility to their team mates and the response I got was outstanding.

The whole team put in an immense effort and chased and harried the opposition to the point of frustration. We had our chances also to get more out of the game but was not to be. The low point of the game was losing Tremayne and Dado to injury in first half, but the remaining players ran themselves into the ground for the cause and ever gave up.

I could mention every player's contribution but the real high points were, Lee's first foray outfield was very impressive, Liliput's very own Spud Spurdens non stop commitment and Man of Match Neil G who was superb at the back and put some dangerous set pieces into the box.

As a coach all I can ask for is that the players take on board what is asked of them and tramslate that onto the field of play and for that reason I am extremely proud of the whole squad tonight and hope they can keep it up as a unit for the weeks to come.

Arse Ache

Those two words aren't pretty, but they sum up the present situation succinctly and accurately. I feel the need to post right now because in the past two hours I've experienced the pleasure and the stress that recreational footy can provide.

8-9pm this evening: five versus four footy in North Tonbridge with a random selection of blokes, two of whom played for Dads Army in that game last year; some of whom I barely know, one of whom I'd never laid eyes on until this evening. Final result: no idea, something like 22-12 to the team I was playing on. I even managed to score twice, albeit one of those was well spawny. I started playing Tuesday night 5-a-side kickabout because all I have to do is turn up, give a bloke £3, run about for an hour, then go home. Not "arse ache" - the opposite of arse ache. Blissfully stress-free.

9-10pm: Straight after I'm off the 5-a-side pitch, I phone the oppo 'Gaffer'. Goes to voicemail. Getting a tad stressed as he hasn't replied to my calls or texts apart from one text yesterday which expressed doubts about him putting a team out. Drive home. While driving, inevitably, he calls back. Press button on phone and shout that I'll call him back. Get home. Call him. Find out that he can't get a squad together for Thursday. Call Phil to discuss options (or lack of). Text all the Accies. Email all the Accies.

This post is getting a bit whingy, which wasn't the original intention. If I wanted to whinge, I'd whinge about the fact that, say, Mickael hasn't replied to any of my emails or texts about this week's footy. I guess the only point I really want to make is that if you're an Accie who does on a Thursday night what I normally do on a Tuesday night, think yourself lucky!

The real stress this week, as most weeks when it comes to the Accies, was the difficulty in communication with my contact (seems rude to name her!) at Palace. When she phoned me yesterday I naively assumed it was to finally take some money off me - despite frequent attempts on my behalf, she hasn't been bothered about letting the Accies pay for any of our bookings since March or something ridiculous. Maybe Greenwich Leisure Whatsits are immune to the credit crunch? Of course, she was actually phoning to give me the bad news about the grass pitch. I tried to negotiate this Thursday and maybe even 25th June before they kick us off, so away she went to ask, before phoning me back a while later with a no. So the next task was to figure out what Wednesday night bookings I could make on the astroturf pitch.

You might think the stress ends there - alas, no. She hasn't actually phoned me back to confirm any astroturf bookings or take any money off us. Obviously I'm more than happy for the dosh to sit in the Accies account, but it's mildly preposterous that I don't even know whether we're booked on the pitch tomorrow night, so tomorrow I will try (and fail) to speak to her to cancel a booking that I don't even know has been made yet. Luckily I held back on trying to secure a referee for a game tomorrow night, because even if I'd succeeded I would've had to cancel him too.

Sniff, sob...

I wanted to post this blog entry to give some kind of insight into the aggro of doing something as 'simple' as organising a bit of footy for a few blokes. It hasn't been that stressful really - and having Top Man Phil as an eager assistant has made all the difference over the past few months, and certainly this week. Phil's the fella who will now book Elmers End, which means one less dull phone call for me, for which I am hugely grateful! I'm not after appreciation - I'm secure in the knowledge that most of the Accies have a fair idea of what goes on behind the scenes. I guess I just wanted to type this up so that the blog could have some permanent (unless the internet breaks) record of the Arse Ache aspect of helping to keep the Accies going.

Goodnight and Up The Accies!

That 'two hours before kick-off' high!

A hard day at the office, but a smile on my face because there'll be a bustling dressing room 90 minutes from now ahead of a game that's winnable if we can avoid any of our 2009 vintage disastrous 15-minute spells and hopefully bang in a goal or two of our own.  No one can deny that the six months of the year so far have boasted their trials and tribulations for the Accies, but right now I'm basking in the warm glow of the fact that I'll be seeing my mates tonight and (if selected) kicking a ball with them.  And I'm looking forward to seeing our Number One again, albeit I wish the circumstances were different.  Up the Accies - let's put in one hell of a shift tonight...

Game of two halves

Yet another defeat but the 'green shoots' of recovery were visible in what really was a 'game of two halves'. We started quite well and looked strong but a crazy fifteen minute period saw us three down to some poor goals gifted to the opposition by poor defending as well as injuries to Andy Dade, Luke Fallon and keeper Lee Clifford all before half time!!

So with some major tinkering (Mr Ranieri style), we reverted to a 4-4-2 and although conceded early in the second half, totally dominated the oppo. Players were moving for position, pressing the oppo and playing for each other. We were unlucky not to score but if they keep this belief and momentum in their game we can go on to better things.

Yet again, Mesner gave his all for the cause and Perre was explosive in the second half and with Billy and Man of Match Rudd having inspired second half were allowed to express themelves.

Accies v Billy FC

We lost, of course, but overall it was a really encouraging evening.

Barry, standing in for our absent coach, exerted a steadying influence over the team. Everyone worked hard and played for each other. As Barry said , we didn't deserve the 'arsehole scoreline'. Barry, you are a poet.

We could have taken the lead in the first half. Mickael blazed over after a great move. Perre worked tirelessly all night and Mes marshalled the defence really well. Junior had a chance to head a consolation goal in the second half after an excellent cross from...ahemm...Perre. Tremayne showed his versatility, fitting in seemlessly at left back.No one let their head drop, and we all worked hard until the lights went out.

Big thanks to associate members, Anton and Junior for coming down at short notice. Much appreciated

If we play like this we'll win more games than we lose over the next few weeks. Now there's a bold prediction.