Videos

Hey Accies, I know at least one famous Effra striker who is looking forward to seeing some of his goals on youtube.  Well the wait is over and four more games are now on line for your viewing pleasure.  Enjoy.

Click here or below to enjoy the action!

Click me.

The bond between father and son is a beautiful thing.........

Thursday's team 29/10/15

Here is the team and the changes for tomorrow-

Cosmos

Andrew D.  Lee Barry.   Phil A

Charlie.  Pasch  Andy J.  Tremayne 

Dan Simon

Subs- Scott (Tremayne) Scott up front Simon move to left mid, Stuart (Phil A) Dave (Lee), Montell (Andrew D)

Cosmos

Montell. Lee  Dave. Phil A

Andrew D  Andy J. Tremayne  Charlie 

Simon Scott

Subs- Barry (Charlie) Phil A move to left mid Barry left back, Pasch (Andy J) Dan (Simon)

Sorry about the font size variations.

Effective defending using the two banks of four formation.

I know that the diagram above is fairly obvious but I thought it would help to visualise what the two banks of four means on the pitch. Ideally, the opposition will be facing two lines of four players covering the entirety of one half of the pitch. 

The defensive line is particularly important as, with proper communication and synchronised movement, it can exploit the offside rule and prevent all long-balls and through-balls succeeding. 

However, it can be fraught with danger if any individual fails to cover his area of the pitch. We have to move as two units of four which means talking to each other and being aware of where each of us are in the pitch. This will cut down the space and provide protection for our defence.

We need to build a solid foundation and that starts from the back and permeates through to the midfield and our forwards closing down space. Let's try this out tomorrow. 

Team to play Grafton Strollers 22/10/15

Please find below the team for Thursday with all the changes-

Anthony

Barry. Luke Lee Phil A

Montell. Sam Andy J. Simon

Scott. Dan

Subs- Charlie (Simon) Steve (Montell) Pasch (Sam)   Stuart (20 mins) Tremayne (45 mins) 

Anthony

Tremayne Andy J Lee. Stuart 

Montell. Sam. Pasch Charlie

Simon. Scott 

Subs- Phil A (Stuart) Barry (Andy J) Dan (Scott)    Luke (45 mins) Steve (22 mins)

The times in brackets are for those who have chosen to play for that amount of time. Everybody else is getting 65 mins except for Lee and Anthony who are playing for the whole game.

Well I thought we were unlucky last week. We had a dodgy patch after half time but nearly snatched a draw.As I said last week we need to tighten up our defending as a team.  We cannot keep letting in 5 goals and expect to win football matches!!!!!!

Two banks of four work for the best of them so we should employ this on Thursday. We need to work hard to get the ball back and press from the first minute to achieve this. Fitness and work rate need to be high and as you have seen from the squad above we have enough players, if you are feeling tired. So put a shift in, particularly the first 20 mins. 

Let's put them on the back foot and win the ball back. Then lets pass the ball with confidence and make use of Dan up front. We haven't been giving him enough service since we went back on the grass.

See you on Thursday.

Team to play Sporting Falcons 15/10/15

After much tooing and froing here's the team for this week's MI Cup match against Sporting Falcons-
Anthony
Charlie  Lee   Luke.   Phil A
Montell. Andy J Sam Simon
Scott Dan
Subs- Pasch (Andy J) Barry (Lee) Dave Stuart

Anthony
Dave Lee Barry. Stuart
Scott. Pasch Andy J. Charlie
Sam Simon
Subs- Phil A (Stuart) Montell (Scott) Dan (Simon) Luke (Charlie) Luke CH Lee CM Andy J LM

Jose has had to miss out this week and we have 14/15 players (Stuart and Dave will be one player), so there have been some tough decisions made. (I won't be playing either). Please be aware that on weeks like this one, whilst being slightly grateful for having the chance to play, more importantly make the most of the opportunity and understand that there is a lot of competition for places in the squad.
The decision not to play Jose was based on commitment nothing else and whilst Jose always has legitimate reasons not to play related to his work and was unable to attend Rotterdam that was the reason.
So be ready for tough decisions to be made in the future. We are a team and as such all decisions made are based on the needs of the team. If you miss out, take it on the chin (Jose has done that this
week) and move on.

Team selected to play Atkins FC 8/10/15

Here is Thursday's team and the changes-

Geoff
Montell.    Andy J.   Barry.      Phil A
Charlie  Sam.  Pasch   Scott
Dan Simon
Subs- Jose  (Scott) Andy T (Pasch) Tremayne Stuart

Geoff
Tremayne   Andy J.   Phil A.   Stuart
Montell.     Pasch   Andy T.   Jose
Simon Scott
Subs- Barry (Phil A) Charlie (Stuart) Dan (Simon) Sam (Montell) Scott drop back to right midfield Sam up front

We need to few break our recent run against Atkins where we have drawn the last few games.
Let's be positive about a victory!!

AECOM team 1/10/15

We are lucky enough to have Andy J taking training tomorrow before the game. However without sounding too draconian we would like all members of the team to take part in the training with 100% effort. Those who cycled to Rotterdam put in a tremendous effort over the weekend and that determination and will to succeed must be maintained and built upon.

Here is tomorrow's team with all the changes-

Anthony 

Montell  Lee Andy J.  Phil A

Steve Pasch Sam Scott

Dan Simon

Subs- Barry (Lee) Andy T (Sam) Stuart

Anthony

Barry
Simon  Lee Barry Stuart

Montell Andy T Pasch. Scott

Dan Sam

Subs- Andy J (Pasch) Phil A (Stuart) Steve (Scott) Tremayne (Montell)

We will be playing 4-4-2 as we are back on the grass. We have beaten this team every time we have played them but let's not assume we will win. We have to earn it so let's take our excellent form and team effort on to the next stage of the season.

Reflections on Rotterdam

I just wanted to record my wonderment at the events over the past 4 days. I cannot remember ever feeling so genuinely proud and humbled. Everybody who cycled to Rotterdam, then amazingly played on Saturday in that fantastic stadium has my everlasting respect. I felt genuinely humbled to be playing on the same pitch as you.

Raising thousands of pounds, remembering Graham and playing in an exciting, end to end game must rank as one of the greatest achievements by the club and a fitting memorial to all that Graham stood for with the Anglo Dutch Cup. 

The post match beers and the effort the Dutch put in to make us all feel welcomed cannot be forgotten and the fact that we played on a pitch that Ajax had played on the week before.........well words fail me.

I will forever remember this weekend and I'm sure after a few days of reflection and your weary bones have recovered you will all look back on it and think 'did that really happen?' When it has finally sunk in that it did happen and Thursday comes along please remember the camaraderie, the effort and above all the sheer determination to succeed that took place. Well done lads!!!!

Team 26/9/15

Here's the team and the changes for Saturday's match-

Anthony 

Andrew D Lee Dave. Phil A

Charlie Sam Andy T Joe

Simon Scott

Subs- Stuart Phil C ( Andrew D) Luke ( Lee) Macca Oscar Tremayne 

Anthony 

Andrew D Lee Luke Dave 

Phil C Sam Charlie. Oscar

Macca Scott

Subs- Phil A (Oscar) Stuart ( Dave) Simon ( Scott) Joe ( Charlie) Tremayne (Macca)

Back to 4-4-2!!

We have a big squad and obviously we have to see what occurs with the Dutch team and the players they will have, but these are my plans for the game with flexibility on Saturday being the key.

See you in Rotterdam!!

The Best And The Worst

Last year during the tournament to mark our 15th anniversary, I chatted to one or two Accies about how I really wanted our club to be more than just a football team.  I've watched how our regular oppo Wanderers FC are run and, though I would never have sufficient spare time for the kinds of community work they do, I still felt as a collective we should be able to do something for charity or be something extra-special as we move into the latter part of our second decade as a club.  Not to do so seemed like a waste of the enthusiasm and talent at our disposal.

Graham Dietz was there in Palace that day, playing in the tournament, finishing on the winning team and celebrating in style afterwards, just as he had done in Rotterdam a month earlier.  No one, of course, had any clue as to the awful event that would take place a little over two months later.

On the day of Graham's funeral, with so many of his UK- and Netherlands-based friends mourning together, one of our founder members Oscar first suggested the idea of cycling to Rotterdam in 2015.  Several of us quickly agreed, only partly because drink had been taken, and once the ball was rolling the idea gathered pace very easily.

Over the past few weeks the plans for the trip have started to be finalised, and various Accies members past and present have been pedalling hard to train for our Century Ride, raising money for Médecins Sans Frontières at Graham's wife Valeria's request.  Sponsorship money was slow to come in at first, but over the past three days an extraordinary £400 or so has been added to the total, which as I type stands at £1,216.41.  The 'target' I set at the outset, £2,000, was arbitrary, but with 11 days to go it looks achievable.

I miss Graham pretty much every day.  I think about him pretty much every day, when I hear a song he liked, or would have liked, or remember some fun we had, or when I'm out on my bike preparing to remember him in the best way possible - with so many of his friends, together with a common purpose that was dear to him.  I absolutely hate the fact that he can't share in the experience, inspired by him, that we will have between 24-27 September.  Effra Academicals IS more than just a football team, and my desire back in October 2014 for us to do more to prove that is being fulfilled.  And my word, my word, Graham more than anyone would have LOVED this month's trip so much.

Our Century Ride will be the best achievement in all the years of the Accies.  But it's the worst too, because I wish with every fibre of my being that Graham was still with us and, with all due respect to our chosen charity, we were still just a football team planning a football match in Rotterdam.

Up the Accies,

Stuart.

Thursday's team- 10/9/15

I know that you have all been deeply disappointed that there's not been the team on the blog with all the changes, but fear not it is back..........

Anthony

Andrew D.   Lee. Barry.     Phil A

             Pasch.  Andy T

   Jon.       Charlie.    Scott

                  Dan

Subs- Joe (Charlie) Montell (Scott) Tremayne 

Anthony 

Andrew D  Lee. Barry      Montell

               Pasch.     Charlie

       Jon.     Joe       Scott 

                   Dan

Subs- Andy T (Pasch) Phil A (Barry) Tremayne 

Yes we're back to 4-2-3-1 because I believe it suits us as a team given the players we have at our disposal. 

I also feel that, as I have mentioned in previous weeks, with the size of the pitch it means that we can shore up the middle of the pitch whilst offering players in offensive positions.

4-2-3-1 formation against Claxton- 13/8/15- Update

Please find below the team and the changes-

First half-

Anthony

Andrew D     Lee.    Barry  Montell                                     

Pasch (distribution from defence) Andy T (breaking down the play)

Steve R (attacking m/f) Andy J (creative player supplying c/forward) Scott (attacking m/f)

Dan (target man holding ball up and linking with above three)                        

Subs- Charlie (Dan) Simon (Scott). Phil A. (Montell) 

Second half-

Anthony

Andrew D  Barry  Phil A.  Montell.      

Andy J         Charlie      

Steve R.    Simon     Scott    

Dan

Subs-  Andy T (Steve R)  Pasch (Greg)  Lee (Barry)

The team and the info attached to the position is in conjunction with an email I sent out yesterday regarding a new formation 4-2-3-1. It is not related just for the player rather it is an explanation of what that role involves whoever plays there.

Anybody who is not familiar with either the email or the formation please let me know and I will forward it to you. The team being on the blog two days before the match is also to familiarise yourselves and to ask any questions or raise any concerns.

                                                   

                                              

Unbelievably tonight's game is already on youtube.  Enjoy a terrific game (ugly incidents not recorded thankfully) and see Sam smash one home (almost taking my head off in the process) and Dan coolly slot another shot into the far bottom corner.  5 unbeaten after 1 win in 13, come on you Accies!

Si

Ps.  Big thanks to Stuart who has done most of the camera work this year during his enforced absence.  Much appreciated.

Hey Accies,

The latest slew of Effra Academicals videos are now on line.  15 in all dating back to the 1-2 defeat to Dulwich Tigers on Thursday 26th March 2015.  They include the two games in Spain, the quarter final win v Photo FC, the debacle in Kent v Cherry Tree FC, the high scoring games V Grafton Strollers (5-4), Crown Agents (5-1), Wanderers (5-4) and Southbank Cuaco (4-4).  Other delights include crackers from Sam, Pash, Scott and Jon with the hatricks from Scott and Andy Judd captured for ever more.  Sadly Dan's 5 v West Wickham Musicians isn't on the list as the camera wasn't taken to the game.  But don't fret Dan I believe there are one or two other goals from you on line!

Enjoy at my youtube site, sammesner.

Si

Team to play vs Atkins FC, 6 August 2015

Basically this week I have been Tremayne's secretary.  The skirts he makes me wear are very short.  Here is the planned line-up for this week's match:

Dave
Andy J - Lee - Luke - Phill A
Steve R - Pasch - Greg
Simon - Dan - Sam
First half subs: Charlie (for Phill A), Jose (for Greg)

Second half starting XI:
Dave
Charlie - Andy J - Lee - Phill A
Pasch - Greg - Jose
Simon - Dan - Sam
Second half subs: Steve R (on for Pasch), Luke, skin on knees permitting (for Simon - Andy J to right CF)

Thursday's team against Southbank 30/7/15- update

Here's the line up for tonight's game. I have updated it from last night as Greg is injured-

                                         Anthony 

Montell.                            Lee.     Luke                      Phil A

Steve R.                           Pasch.                               Jose                               
Sam.                                Simon.                               Scott

Subs- Charlie (Jose)  Dan (Simon) Jon (Steve R)  Barry (Lee)

                                       Anthony

Montell.                          Barry     Lee                      Charlie   

Steve R                           Jon                                      Jose

Simon                             Dan                                     Sam    

Subs- Phil A. (Montell) Charlie RB Phil A LB  Scott (Sam), Pasch (Steve R)

We are playing against a team who we have not beaten for a while so I have decided to select all players available this week. I want all players tomorrow to give 100% effort which will involve working really hard. As we have struggled against some of their younger players in recent games I am going to ask certain players to do 'man marking' for the first 20 minutes (possibly longer depending on its success). This may take some getting used to and will involve a lot of effort. I will be communicating this to the players concerned.

We have to cut their supply chain and that will involve expending a lot of energy particularly in the midfield.

Obviously we need to have an offensive outlet also so within the 4-3-3 formation the forwards will have to stop the ball being taken out and also give their defenders something to think about.

Wanderers 23/7/15

Team against The Wanderers with all the changes-

                                   Geoff

Andrew D.               Lee.   Andy J.               Montell

     Steve R.                  Pasch.              Jose    

     Simon.                     Dan                Sam      

Subs-   Greg (Pasch)      Scott (Sam)         Phil A (Montell) 

                                 

                                  Geoff

Andrew D               Phil A   Andy J.                 Montell 

     Pasch.                 Greg.               Steve R

        Sam.                      Dan.            Scott 

Subs- Simon ( Andy J)   Jose  ( Steve R)  Lee  ( Andrew D)  Lee CH Montell RB Phil A LB    

I think that 4-3-3 worked last week so let's give it another go tomorrow.

Team against Crown Agents 16/7/15

I would like to try the following formation tomorrow-                        

                        Geoff
Andrew D.         Lee.      Luke       Montell
Andy J.    Andy T.    Simon
Sam         Dan         Scott

Subs- Pasch (Sam) Dave (Andrew D) Greg  (Andy T)

                         Geoff
Andrew D.        Lee.    Dave      Montell 
Greg    Andy T   Pasch.                                                 
Sam     Dan   Simon

Subs-   Scott (Simon) Andy J ( Lee)      Luke

Some of the more observant members of the team may have spotted that there will be a change of formation this week........4-3-3
This requires the midfield to play compact and the full backs to push up to combat the right and left midfield opposition players.
A centre forward literally means that with Scott playing to the left of Dan and Sam to the right in the first half and Simon/Scott playing to the left and Sam to the right of Dan. Obviously there is flexibility with Sam/Pasch possibly dropping back if the midfield is getting over run in the first half ,but lets try this attacking formation and see how it pans out.

Team against West Wickham Musicians 9/7/15

Here is the team for tomorrow and the changes-

                                                 Geoff

Montell.                                   Lee.    Andy J.                          Phil A      

Steve R.                                  Jose.  Charlie                           Scott

                                                Sam.   Daniel

Subs-   Simon (Steve R), Luis (Scott)

                                                Geoff 

Montell.                                Simon.   Lee.                            Phil A

Steve R.                               Jose.      Andy J                        Scott

                                             Sam      Daniel 

Subs-    Luis (Jose), Charlie (Phil A)

I will not be there so I have asked  Lee/ Andy to do the honours on the side.

Let's get a long over due victory!!!!!

Team against Southbank 2/7/15

Here's the team for tomorrow will all of the changes in the first and second halves included-

                                      Anthony 

Andrew D                      Lee   Luke.                    Tremayne

Jon.                               Andy J. Pasch.              Charlie

                                      Simon Sam

Subs-   Daniel  (Simon), Luis ( Charlie), Barry (Andrew D)

                                     Anthony

Andrew D                     Lee      Barry                     Charlie

Luis                              Pasch  Andy J.                  Simon

                                    Daniel  Sam 

Subs-  Luke    Jon (Luis),  Tremayne (Sam) 

Team against Grafton Strollers 25/6/15

The team for tomorrow's game is below-

                                            Anthony

Andrew D.                           Luke  Lee                             Montell

Andy J                                 Pasch Jose.                        Charlie

                                            Sam Scott

Subs-  Simon (Sam),  Daniel (Charlie), Matt, Phil A (2nd half) Steve R. (2nd half)

They have 10 players. I'll go in goals for them so we need a couple of volunteers but will play it by ear tomorrow. 

The season so far.....

Well unlike the tennis season, we move away from grass and on to the artificial surface for a couple of months. So I thought it seemed like a good time to jot down a few thoughts on the year so far.

After a good start culminating in us reaching the semi final of the MI cup, it seemed like the pinnacle of the year. In retrospect given our results since then it seems to have knocked the wind out of our sails because we have struggled with results in recent weeks.

It seems to me that we are in transition at the moment. I have been experimenting with different formations and using players in positions which they have either enjoyed as a new experience or have been reticent about trying.

I have done this to give the team options in preparation for when we have a reasonably stable team and also give me an idea of your best positions. 

I am determined to build a winning team that plays football with style and passion. We have definitely improved our play recently with some impressive performances and I'm sure the results will follow.

It can be difficult picking a team when there are variations in who is available so I would ask you particularly in preparation for when we return to the grass in September to use the time at Dulwich to hone your skills. I'm always looking at how you play and I believe that competition is good for a team so don't take it badly if I move you about or ask other players to play in your favoured position. It's just how we do things at the Accies.

However please trust me to manage this situation. I have been impressed with both our work rate and our play over the past three weeks so don't worry about the results. We just need to convert our chances and shore things up at the back particularly preventing silly mistakes that have cost us recently. If in doubt..........

Use the time on the astro to pass the ball on a true surface, sort out our first touch and work hard to win the ball back. This week we need to continue our pressing game whilst using the ball creatively to prize open their defence. We have a nice blend of youth and experience so let's learn from each other and play to our strengths. 

Team for CP & DSV- 18/6/15

Here's the team for tomorrow 's match against Crystal Palace and Dulwich Super Vets (CP & DSV)-

                                                Anthony

Andrew D.                              Lee.   Barry.                            Phil A

Scott.                                     Jose.  Andy J.                        Montell

                                              Sam.     Simon

Subs-  Luke ( Barry)             Charlie. ( Phil A)       Andy T  (Jose)  Daniel

I am going to bring on Daniel in the second half to play up front ( his favoured position)  but it shouldn't affect everybody's playing time.

We are going through a challenging time recently but let's keep playing passing football, keep it tight at the back and knick some chances at the other end and we will soon be back to winning ways!!    

From The Archives: FA Cup Final Social, May 2012

Some would say these photos of questionable quality should have stayed in the archives!  It was a great day - I watched Norwich City draw 3-3 vs Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, then legged it to Palace to help the Accies to a 3-2 win over Southside U21 (a team put together by Scott I think).  Then on to the Paxton (RIP) to watch Chelsea defeat Liverpool in the FA Cup final.

Playing football does give a bloke an appetite

Two Chelsea fans looking unworried. I believe the explanation for Neill's
face paint is a Help For Heroes walk earlier in the day

Evidence should Luke need to sue the barber

Tea and cake for Sam. How very civilised

I seem to recall there was a singsong.  Don't know why