Dolphin re-match replaces 5 a side comp.

5 a side is cancelled this week. Instead there will be a re-match vs Dolphin, on astro, at Palace.

13 players confirmed as available this week. Just waiting for confirmation from Lee re keeper situation. Otherwise all systems go.

Anniversary shirts order

I'm going to  order another batch of white, Addidas, Accies anniversary shirts  tomorrow.

If you want a shirt let me know now. Cost is approx £13 with club badge or approx £20 with badge, numbers  and initials. I can only order a shirt for you if you can guarantee that you will bring cash for it on Thurs.

Tell me what size you want too. 

5 a side tournament

We're having a friendly  inter Accies 5 a side tournament this Thursday at GOALS, Elmers End.

Let me know ASAP if  you can make it. Friends, associate members etc all welcome.

2 pitches booked , so everyone will get a full night's football.

We need 20 people confirmed by 4pm Weds.

if we don't get the numbers we'll train instead.

Good news is that from next week - 8th Oct - we're back on grass every week.

Nailed on pen

Great work from Mes to win the pen. Refreshing to see the Dolphin defence unable to cope with our attack. Bit 'Man bites dog' that. 

Coolly taken pen from Andy T.

Goal of the season?

This is good

Good goal

Here's a  sneak preview of some of the Hut's excellent footage from Thursday's game. I'll upload some more footage as soon as i get time.

It's the return of the real-time update...

10.07pm: Soundtrack: Thank You Friends by Big Star.  Well that IS apt.  Thank you friends for playing a blinder!  Thank you friends for keeping me informed!  Thank you friends 10 years ago for making this happen!  Thank you friends ever since for keeping it going!  And thank you friends for doing it all again next week!  My work here is done.  Enjoy the post-match pints fellas!

10.04pm "Come on Accies, let's keep nibbling at 'em!" So says Bazza as the game draws to a close.  Well put my man.  And the lights are out - what a win!  4-2 and No Lizou Required!

10.01pm:  Game continues.  String of great saves from the Coach, who sounds like a candidate for MOTM to me, although clearly Le Taxi and Lex will be in with a shout too, having, as they say, bagged a brace each.  A pair of braces, if you will.  Soundtrack:  Mind Control by Stephen Marley... my mind control to attempt to persuade the ref to blow the final whistle has failed.

9.56pm:  Still 4-2 with less than 5 mins to go (unless Miami has smashed his phone up in anger because Riders have scored 3 times?)  Ah, The Hut calls to inform me that a Dolphin shot hits the bar and rebound down, but - crucially - didn't go in.  "Negative.  It didn't go in.  It just impacted on the surface."  Now Elbows is being spoken to by the ref for his involvement in some kind of fisticuffs - !!! - in the area as Dolphin prepared to take a corner.  Crikey.  Surely to goodness the next call will be to tell me the final whistle has been blown/lights have gone off, whichever signals the end of the game first...

9.50pm:  RAUCHENBERG! broke down left, Dangermouse (on for Shaky) made a good run but strayed offside, so RAUCHENBERG! had to shoot and that strike was punched away by the Dolphin keeper.  I'd really be much happier if the match scrappily petered out to a conclusion now... every time the phone rings I panic!  Am now listening to Dark Days by DJ Shadow on th'iPod - luckily the Accies are experiencing anything but Dark Days right now - hey, how's that for a cheesy DJ link?!  Wonder how much longer I can type stress-free gibberish before Miami calls back to worry me once more?  Now listening to Uncloudy Days by The Staple Singers - that's more like it, these are indeed Uncloudy Days for Effra!  The metaphorical sun is shining brightly, reflecting off mine, Dixon and Lex's heads...

9.45pm: Dolphin shot, brilliant save by the Coach.  The shot was from wide right, on target but Neill leapt and tipped it over the crossbar.  Then Spuds headed off the line from the resulting corner.  We then broke and had a chance of our own cut out, but they then broke back and Ian Henderson scored from fully 25 yards.  So now it is indeed 4-2.  12 mins or so to go... squeaky bum time if they make it 4-3.  Which they nearly did, Miami just called back to say Coach just made another brilliant save.

9.43pm:  Blimey, what an action-packed match.  Lex is now outright 3rd in the All-Time 11-a-side scorers list with 26, while Joe has moved up that list from 11th= to 8th=.  Honestly, I'm shattered here.  It's Tremayne who's the real winner because all this typing by me is surely saving him the bother of doing a third successive match report.  Oh, and The Hut is videoing the match!

9.38pm:  I mean to say 4-1, clearly!  So the view from the touchline, if you can't translate my so-called touch-typing below, was that Simon had taken the ball too wide after beating the offside trap.  But he hadn't - he crossed brilliantly (as he did a couple of weeks ago for Mickael - hey, where's Mickael tonight? - to score).  Lex met the cross and laid the ball off to Joe who was central in the area and he scored!  You wait more than 2 years for a Joe goal and then two come along at once!

9.37pm: 4-2!!!!!  Si mes broke thru offside trap taken it too wide hadnt crossed it, Throny laid it off to Joe centrally who sv=cored!

9.36pm:  Below is the best I can type while Miami explains how Dolphin missed a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit to 3-2.

9.35pm:  bout min ago Dolh good chance score broke thru pen area all had do side foot with right foot into goal but it curled away past righgthand post

9.33pm:  Miami calls to tell me that about a minute ago RAUCHENBERG! was through on the right and Shaky was screaming for the ball on the left but RAUCHENBERG! shot, leaving Shaky frustrated.

9.28pm:  There's no such thing as a two-goal buffer, but our two-goal lead has been restored!   Free-kick to Effra just inside the oppo's half; Dixon took it beautifully and the ball sailed to the far post where, you guessed it, Lex was there to head the ball back across and into the net.  Double figures for 2009, the boy is simply unstoppable.  And all this against a team that thrashed us 8-0 during our dodgy patch earlier in the year.  Still a long way to go, but it's been a while since we suffered one of our trademark collapses and hopefully we won't endure that fate this evening.  It doesn't take a football genius (which is jolly handy, as I'm not one) to work out that if we're putting Dolphin under pressure, we're going to be under less pressure ourselves.

9.27pm: 3-1!!!!!!!!!!

9.25pm:  More meaningless stats while I wait for The Hut to call again... We didn't score a single solitary goal in the whole of May this year, and only 1 goal from 14 May to 11 June inclusive, but lately we've been banging them in for fun!

9.20pm:  Links on for Spuds at half-time.  In the first half, TBALT came on for Elbows.

9.18pm:  Must be half-time by now?  That Lex penalty was his 25th 11-a-side goal for Effra Academicals, taking him level with Shaky at 3rd in the All-Time 11-a-side scorers league.  His 9th of 2009, now 2 ahead of RAUCHENBERG! in the race for this year's Golden Boot.

9.14pm:  That was three goals in 10 mad minutes.  I'm exhausted.  Mind you, I am operating iTunes on the laptop while doing this caper on the Mac Mini.  I'm like Rick Wakeman on the keyboards in some amphitheatre.

9.09pm:  2-1.  Graeme headed off the line following a Dolphin corner, but we failed to clear the ball and the oppo promptly scored.  Tarnished the first half, but we're still in the box seat.

9.08pm:  Well, how much fun is this?!  Shaky through on goal, scythed down by a hapless Dolphin defender.  Lex Luthor, who banged in a terrific penalty for us last week, picked up the ball and, as they say, made no mistake from the spot.  2-0.

9.07pm: 2-0!!!!!!

9.02pm:  The last time Joe scored for Effra was 19 July 2007.  More than two years ago!  That's his 15th 11-a-side goal for us and takes him above Elbows in the All-Time list.  Proof that I'm no Derren Brown:  I was convinced LAST week that Joe would score, but I was a week out.  So, a long way to go in the match but the signs are that our recent run of good form is alive and kicking...  No complacency though, even from the safety of a dining room in Tonbridge.

9pm:  Through ball, their CBs a shambles, Joe wins the ball and takes it past them, clean through and blasts an unstoppable shot into the top left-hand corner of the goal.  Get! In!  Sene's goal drought is Ovah!

8.59pm:  1-0!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Joe Sene!!!!!!!!

8.56pm:  Miami Dade has joined Rushy and The Hut on the touchline.  Gutted that the three of them are still unable to play due to injury, but delighted to see this marvellous commitment, turning out to cheer on the boys.  Tremayne in particular is providing excellent support for the Coach – great to see.  Still 0-0.

8.50pm:  In the other Match Of The Day (Math Of The Day?), The Wife has passed her preliminary tests and been accepted to do GCSE maffs.  Good work The Wife.  Meanwhile, so far as I know, it's still 0-0 in Crystal Palace, and you don't have to have A level Further Maffs to add up how many goals have been scored so far.  What's zero goals divided by zero?  What's 40 per cent of zero?  Ask The Wife this time next year when she's passed GCSE maffs.  Between now and then I shall obviously be cutting out coupons from the back of cereal packs to help her get that magic qualification.

8.47pm:  I seem to remember that the last time I did this young Edward Christy Andrew Dade kept waking up and disturbing my live updates.  But tonight he's definitely out for the count, so full respect to The Wife for wearing him out.

8.46pm:  Fans of the Accies not conceding hatfuls of goals will be pleased to learn that John "scored about 3 goals against us and then 5 goals for us" Lizou is NOT playing for Dolphin Riders this evening.

8.42pm:  "Unlucky Joe!  Unlucky... Well won Joe!"  So says The Hut on the touchline, in between telling me that we could/should have scored in the first 5 mins when Elbows had an attempt of some kind and RAUCHENBERG! blazed over the bar from 6 yards out.

8.37pm:  The Hut has texted through the starting line-up... Coach is in nets (wonder where Lee is this week?), Elbows is at RB, Gobby and Bazza are the CBs and Werewolf is LB.  Spuds is RM, Dixon Of Dock Green and Lex Luthor are CM (has there ever been a central midfield with less hair?) and Joe Le Taxi is LW.  Up front: Shaky and RAUCHENBERG!  The bench is being warmed by Dangermouse, Sam, TBALT and Links.  Folks (who am I kidding?), more info as we get it...

Could someone please hurry up and invent a time machine, so we can go and play this fella's team? Part 2 (with explanatory notes)

There are plenty of pics of Accies personnel from a decade ago knocking about, but these pics take the biscuit, being no less than 31 years old.  The gentleman featured in each of the pics is Ian Dade, father of Accies numbers 3 and 11, back in his own illustrious playing days.  His side's catchy name is Nottinghamshire Scenes Of Crime team... Dade Sr was, when not dazzling on the footy field, in the police.  The man himself says these pics were taken "just before I was to leave to go back to Norfolk... they got one of their photographers to come along, specifically to get shots of me in my last game for them.  They later presented me with the pictures.  I honestly didn't know about it 'til then."

Sadly I have no recollection of witnessing Fatha in footy action, even though I was seven when these pics were taken and Andy was four.  But pleasingly Dad has seen the Accies in action on more than one occasion, even witnessing one of my ultra-rare 5-a-side goals back in the day.  Some of you will also recall his presence on the touchline for the thrashing of Dads Army on my birthday a couple of years ago.  So it seems only fair that I give these archive snaps an airing on this blog.

It won't surprise anyone who's seen me play to know that there are no pics of me playing football in the 70s or 80s – the first time I played competitive football was the first time the Accies played competitive football, 10 years ago!  But if any other squad members, past or present, have archive shots of themselves or other family members playing the Beautiful Game, let's get them on the blog!  Either email the pics to me or post them yourself – all you need to be able to post on the blog is an email invite from me, so ask and ye shall receive...

Could someone please hurry up and invent a time machine, so we can go and play this fella's team? Part 1

Surely one of the best football related quotes ever!!

Carlo Ancelotti quoted in a story today about his days playing alongside Marco van Basten: 'I used to play with Marco van Basten at Milan. I asked him how we should give the ball to him. He said, "Just pass it, and then start running to congratulate me"

Pride..(in the name of Effra)

Well, what can I say, I am bursting with pride over the team performance last night. A full and committed performance over the whole game and it was a joy to be part of.

The way players were communicating and working together is what we have been aiming for over recent months and all the work and discussion is now coming to fruition.

From start to finish we imposed ourselves on the game and broke down Mott's and defended resolutely while looking dangerous on the ball coming forward. There was not a bad performance anywhere on thepitch, but some notable performances that I believe require a mention. Firstly, Joe Sene, who was subbed during the first half (but was playing well so unfortunate) but came back on to put in a sublime performance of tackling back and was passing the ball superbly.

Secondly Neil G, who has been a solid performer over the last few weeks and is becoming more and more positive with each game. Thorney was again all over the pitch and Lee was unlucky to concede with the last kick off the game.

But congratulations to all who played last night in a good performance that we can carry on building on in weeks to come.

Up the Accies

A great week for the Accies

What with the other Accies (SPL Hamilton) winning comprehensively at home against Hibs on Monday 2-0 we had alot to live up to this week.
Along with the steady improvement in our performances over the summer, a fine team spirit and an encouraging display last week much was expected. We weren't let down.
All the positives from last week continued along with an exaperatingly close clean sheet and an additional goal. This game had everything. It seems unfair to single out anybody in what was a fantastic team performance but there were some stand out players. Assured goalkeeping from Lee commanding his box and snuffing out any balls over the top. A solid display from Neil G whose speed and positional play at right back along with the DeLap throw ins meant he had a good shout for MOTM. Midfield dynamo Andy T was everywhere and richly deserved his MOTM this week for his headed goal, cool pen and tireless work. Coach 09 and Bobby's link up play once again impressed, perfectly encapsulated in Bobby 's goal when Neil stretching to get the ball played a peach of a pass to Bobby who scored at the second time of asking.
Certainly from the sidelines the passing was crisp, the support play was well... supportive and the determination to win was second to none.
It was a joy to watch and filled everybody with a great sense of pride against a team who we usually struggle against.
Let's really build on this and take the great vibe through to next week.

Thorney Brace As The Accies Romp Home

Well done to the Accies who were victorious tonight beating Mott McDonald 3-1. Andy Thornes got a couple (one header from a corner and one penalty) while/whilst (Stu, sort it out) Bobby grabbed one too. A late consolation for Mott McDonald with the last kick of the game.

The picture is not THE Andy Thornes but is a bloke also called Andy Thornes that I found on the interweb.

Up The Accies!

Mott McDonald Update

This, hot in from Stuart Dade at 9.46pm:

"1-0 h-t Thorn head from corner. 2-0 Bobby after good break and link play be Neill R"

Get in there! Up The Accies!!!

Statattack (Slight Return)

Hello!  After months in a stat-induced coma, I have returned to point out that somewhere down the right-hand side of this here blog, if you scroll down to beneath the Playing Squad and Associate Members lists, you'll find the All-Time 11-a-side Goalscorers list.  Some 47 players have found the net for Effra, from Graham Dietz in match 1 to Greg Rainey in match 217.  Gary White's 31 goals in 32 appearances puts him top of the pile - but for a couple of missed penalties, Steve Spurdens might've reclaimed top spot by now.  This year has seen Simon Mesner move into the top 3, plus Andy Thornes reach the top 5.  In case you're wondering, there have also been 16 own goals in our favour over the years.  Good luck to all the current squad in your personal mission to rise up the table!  I'll try to keep the list up to date – if you notice it's looking a bit neglected, feel free to nag me.

In due course, I'll add the 5-a-side goalscorers to the list, and maybe even some appearances stats too, although with approximately double the number of players having appeared for the Accies as have scored for us, that's a lot of typing... I'd be tempted not to bother with the players who've only appeared once, if that's OK with you...

On the up

Over the past few weeks I have been encouraged by the forward steps we have been taking. The main area that has impressed is the way all players are begining to work or each other and put extra effort into their positional play with AND without the ball.

This extra effort, especially defensively, is making us hard to break down and allowing us to contain oppo teams much more although we still have lapses that cause us problems and that is something to work on.

Offensively we are looking more and more threatening and begining to break in numbers to assist those up front, last week is a good example of this as if we took all chances we carved out our score would have been near double figures. When we are losing the ball we need to make a concentrated effort to win it back and get good position.

All in all I am impressed with most peoples attitude towards our team play at present and hope this form continues.

Up the Accies!!

All round encouraging performance!!!

This is my first blog entry so bear with me and also with the slow onset of old age my memory might be suspect so apologies in advance.

A strong Accies team assembled on the bar pitch for our game with Crytal Palace and Dulwich Super Veterans. A solid defence backed up with a welcome return from Anthony in goal kept out the vets and with new addition Sam in right midfield and Graeme on the left it was hoped that both guile and resolve would triumph in the midfield. Neil and Bobby were up top with Michael Luke and Phil ably waiting in the wings.

Some excellent link up play between Neil and Bobby were one of the features of the first half along with the trademark Andy flick ons and Dave clearing headers meant that we were holding our own defensively and creating problems up top. However against the run of play they opened the scoring with a well taken route one goal (not offside according to the Russian linesman) but our resolve did not wane. Bobby looking increasingly dangerous managed to slip free of his persistent and bad tempered marker to thump an equaliser into the net and a growing confidence in the total football approach led to some neat interchanges and more chances for Bobby.

Luis gallantly gave way to Luke who went into the centre of defense with Dave taking on the holding midfield role. Phil came on and had some encouraging passes blending well into the passing game with an excellent cross of particular note. Neil R's link up play and Bobby's pace meant that a goal was always going to come and we were not disappointed as Bobby once again scored with aplomb. I missed the goal because I was trying to explain to Michael (who had replaced Sam on the right) where I wanted him to play and a cheer went up so hopefully aplomb adequately describes the quality of the finish.

The three goals scored by the vets in the second half (one being a penalty that looked outside of the box) did not do us justice but as stated by the coach at the end it was a really encouraging performance. Bobby got man of the match for his goals (although he would freely admit could have filled his proverbial boots) but it was a difficult decision on my part as there had been many to choose from. A pat on the back all round and a great spirit in the team. Bring on the Dutch..............

They should shoot horses, shouldn't they?

Crystal Palace just phoned to inform me that the grass pitch will not be available for us to play on until Thursday 8 October.  So watch this space if you want to know what the dickens we'll be doing on the 10th, 17th and 24th of September and the 1st of October.

Funnily enough, they also told me the horses won't be invited back.  I am not consoled by this.  Are you?

Pimp Steve's Ride

 Check out the wheels we found in the Paxton Arms  function room the other week.

 It's a huge hit with my son and his friends - although a bit small for some of the bigger 4 and 5 year old boys. Hard to believe that Steve  actually drove it down the road.

Mes - have you still got that footage on your phone?