From The Archives: "The Big Cetacean"

Just a couple of months before this blog was begun, back in the days when The Hut maintained an Accies website, the following match report was posted. I'd love to know who wrote it, the author did a fine job (says "the not 100% Dade") and I think I've corrected most of the typos just now. It's a shame Perre didn't play in this match – he must have been an unused sub because his uncle Junior played in goal and mate Keith was in midfield. The reason it's a shame is that this archive post would've been quite apt with Perre due to make his 100th appearance tomorrow night – he made his debut on 4 September 2008, just over 3 years ago. 100 games in just over 3 years: good going. Sadly Perre only got to watch the match described below, not play in it – but I'm glad he stuck with us (and we stuck with him!)

Anyway, into the Accies time machine we go…

Effra Academicals 4 – 1 Dolphin Riders

16^th October 2008

Crystal Palace National Sports Centre

KO 8.30 pm

Attendance: 12

Despite losing 2-4 in to Wycliffe the week before the Accies came into this fixture full of confidence. The squad bolstered in recent weeks had led to an improvement in results, which despite playing well for the previous two months had eluded the team. A win against Dolphin would be the first time Effra had beaten them twice on the bounce.

The team was set out to maintain its defensive shape but break quickly on the counter attack. Andy Thornes was recalled to the midfield and Barry Gardener joined Gary Hutson at centre back. Stuart Dade made a return to left back after missing three out of the last four games, which had left question marks over his ability to hold off the challenges to the position that has been his own for much of the last 5 years. Mickael Lejeune was back in on the left wing with Bobby Rachenberg missing through illness. A strong bench included captain Neill Robertshaw and player/coach Simon Mesner.

J. Heath; P. Caldwell, B. Gardener, G. Hutson, S. Dade (G. Were) (N. Connolly); J. Sene; A. Thornes; K. Cumberbatch (N. Robertshaw); M. Lejuene, (S. Mesner) T. McDonald, B. Monkton.

The Accies started the game strongly with Sene dictating the play from deep. Cumberbatch’s movement caused problems for the Rider’s defence, which looked loose. French wide man Lejeune was also a threat with his pace and crossing from the left wing.

It didn’t take long for the Crystal Palace men to open the scoring when Monkton showed further evidence that he is getting fitter after his 6 month injury layoff by reacting quickest to a loose Dolphin pass and firing through the ‘keeper’s legs from inside the penalty area.

Dolphin stepped up their game and came back into the match. Gardener and Hutson, otherwise dominant had a 15 minute period where they wobbled and words were exchanged between them and Heath behind. A stock Riders lobbed ball over the top was latched onto by the visiting centre forward. With Heath deciding to stay in his area, Hutson tried to make up the ground. He executed a perfect sliding tackle in the area just as Heath went to ground. Sadly for the Accies with both home players down, the big cetacean got up and clipped the ball into an empty net.

From then on the home defence looked unbeatable with anything not mopped up by the back four dealt with expertly by Heath.

The Accies fought back and with Were on for the not 100% Dade, Robertshaw and Mesner to join the midfield and attack respectively they created more chances. Thornes missed a header that he would have normally gobbled up from an expert Lejuene corner but McDonald made the pressure pay with a cool side foot to take Effra in 2-1 at half time.

The game was a battle for the first 30 minutes of the second half with both teams aware of the importance of the next goal. Caldwell, in a brave performance and Mesner tightened up on the tricky Dolphin left winger to stem the flow down the Accies' right. The midfield went from a three to a two and back to a three as Effra sought for the right formation to make the break through. Sene kept pulling the string throughout whilst Cumberbatch was moved over to the left wing and swept past his opponent imperiously several times on dashing runs. Connolly came on for Were to maintain the defensive solidity. Heath was equal to nearly everything that got past his defence and when beaten there was Thornes to hook the ball off the line.

The Accies then started to really stretch their opponents with Monkton’s pace on the other wing complementing Cumberbatch’s and Mesner moved into his fifth position of the game as centre forward. It was no surprise when Monkton made his 2008 total 9 goals after a sweet Thorne’s through ball, pushing the Accies into a 3-1 lead. For the last ten minutes the Riders were swamped and Effra made it four when Monkton’s great cross was met by the accurate pate of Thornes who arched himself to reach the ball that was slightly behind him and place it wide of the keeper. The Accies almost made it a fifth when Mesner’s clever through ball was nearly latched onto by Thornes, now in rampant mood.

Effra Academicals were on the attack once more when the referee put Dolphin out of their misery.

A beaming player/coach Mesner said afterwards that the Riders were swept away by a towering wave of attacking play. The Accies look in good health as they approach the end of the year.

Man of the match: Gary Hutson. A rock at the back against very dangerous opponents. He came back from a shaky 15 minutes to put in a towering performance.